CAT is an amazing programme that pushes you to improve as a dancer as a whole; creativity, technique, performance. It has given me access to many opportunities to work with a range of artists within the training day as well as outside. For example, working with artists such as Kerry Nicholls and Wayne Parsons; two very different artists that gave us tools to use now and in the future. The programme has also lead me to opportunities to work with 2Faced Dance artistic director Tamsin Fitzgerald on Cubes for IDFB and BBC Young Dancer, which were two big moments for me in my CAT experience. Over the 4 years, I have met both staff and peers who I hope will be lifelong friends. I have been fully prepared for full time training next year through the intensity of the days and range of contemporary styles within contemporary. CAT has also prepared me for auditions with one to one sessions as well as generally improving on picking up choreography. One of my favourite things about CAT is the summer intensive.

I had one year of dance prior to CAT, so my experience was limited. I went into the CAT audition for a free dance lesson with no expectations of a place. But to my surprise CAT saw potential I hadn’t seen in myself and over my years at CAT, they’ve helped me realise that potential opening an abundance of pathways for me. The choreographers, the shows, the people who have become lifelong friends are all I owe it to. I’d like to say thank you to all of them. And I look forward to the years of CAT to come.

I have done 2 years of CAT and I have loved every minute of it so far. It has given me so many unique experiences like working with professional dancers and companies including Ballet Black, Wayne Parsons and Kerry Nicholls and to create challenging and high-level pieces and improve on my technique. CAT has also made me a much more versatile dancer as it provides such a range of opportunities and teachers which has made me very rounded as a dancer.

Being in CAT has been an amazing experience for the past year. It has pushed me in all areas and given me the confidence I thought I never had. I started the year having not done ballet before and now I feel like I could perform ballet on stage! The staff are the loveliest and you can tell they really care about your growth as a dancer. The opportunities are amazing and broad, they have pushed me both as a dancer and person. Overall, I can’t wait for the next year in CAT!