STUDENTS REACH BBC YOUNG DANCER 2019 FINALS

Image courtesy of BBC Young Dancer. L-R: Max Cookward, Hana Kato, Adanna Lawrence, Hannah Connor and Matthew Rawcliffe

Two NSCD undergraduates have made it through to the Category Finals of BBC Young Dancer 2019. The prestigious competition searches for the country’s most talented dancers aged 16-21, and category finals are held in Ballet, Contemporary, South Asian Dance and Street Dance styles.

Adanna Lawrence and Max Revell, both aged 20 and in their second year of study on the BA (Hons) Dance (Contemporary) degree programme, are in with a chance of winning their respective category finals. Adanna is competing in Contemporary Dance category, while Max is part of the Street Dance category. Adanna is joined in her category by NSCD Centre for Advanced Training alumnus Max Cookward. 

The competition so far

To reach this stage, all dancers had to advance through two tough preliminary rounds. Their video applications secured them a spot on a shortlist of 80 successful entrants, who then each performed in front of an audience and expert judges at Sadler’s Wells in December 2018.

Courtesy of BBC Young Dancer. L-R: Max Revell, Christian Griffin, Kate Morris, Louie Juster and Thomas Carsley.

The Category Finals

The Category Finals will be broadcast on BBC Four with the Contemporary final on the 26th of April and the Street Dance final on the 10th of May.

These episodes follow the young dancers behind the scenes as they prepare for their performances with the help of teachers and mentors. Leading dance professionals have mentored each of the finalists: Adanna is mentored by Artistic Director of Ava Dance Company Avatâra Ayuso and founder of N’da Dance Company Mbulelo Ndabeni, while Max’s mentors are Artistic Director of CRXSS PLATFXRM Ivan Blackstock and House of Absolute founder Julia Cheng.

Judging panels for each category feature foremost figures from across the industry, and are spearheaded by cross-category judge and dance pioneer Jonzi D.

Judges for Contemporary are former Artistic Director of Scottish Dance Theatre Fleur Darkin, and Artistic Co-Director of Candoco Dance Company Ben Wright.

Founder of The Artist Hub Rhimes Lecointe is joined by guest artistic director of the National Youth Dance Company Botis Seva to judge the Street Dance category.

The Grand Final

The Grand Final will be broadcast on BBC Two on the 18th of May live from Birmingham Hippodrome. The overall winner of the competition receives a trophy and a £3,000 cash prize to help further their dance education. Finalists also receive confidential, bespoke career transition support and aftercare courtesy of Sadler’s Wells.

BBC Young Dancer 2019: TV Broadcast Dates

• Friday 19 April, BBC Four - South Asian Category Final (watch now on iplayer)
• Friday 26 April, BBC Four - Contemporary Category Final
• Friday 3 May, BBC Four - Ballet Category Final
• Friday 10 May, BBC Four - Street Dance Category Final
• Saturday 18 May, BBC Two – LIVE GRAND FINAL