Are you a young person aged 11 to 18 or up to 23 with disabilities and love to dance? The Centre for Advanced Training programme (CAT) is here to help you take your skills to the next level.

This programme is all about identifying and supporting young people who have a passion for dance, offering high-quality training and opportunities to work with people from all sorts of backgrounds.

Who Can Join the Centre for Advanced Training Programme?

You can join CAT between the ages of 11 and 16 and stay on until you are 18 years old. We have three strands for the National Centres for Advanced Training (CAT) in dance that young dancers can chose from:

1. Contemporary styles across the Midlands train in either Birmingham or Nottingham.
2. South Asian styles (Yuva Gati) such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Bhangra, Bollywood, Nepalese, and Kandyan across the UK

How to Join the Centre for Advanced Training Programme

Getting into CAT is simple and fun!

First, there’s GetSet. These are monthly workshops we host for those with little to no experience in dance or just want to develop their dance technique and creative skills further.

Alongside gaining confidence and experience in dance, the workshops will also give you the opportunity to:

1. Learn more about the Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) programme.
2. Get to know the CAT team.
3. Prepare you for our annual admissions workshops.

Second, we host admission workshops once a year for ages 11 to 16. During these workshops, you’ll showcase your potential by participating in a practical contemporary dance class and a creative workshop.

This all happens in a supportive and encouraging environment. Furthermore, no previous dance experience is necessary. We’re looking for raw talent, enthusiasm, potential, and a commitment to training as a dancer.

What’s the Centre for Advanced Training Programme Like?

For contemporary students, your journey with CAT is split into three parts:

• Weekly weekend training – every Saturday, dive into contemporary, ballet, and Pilates with professional tutors in either Nottingham or Birmingham.
• Mid-week training, where you commit to attending one other training session. most students access an associated dance company across the region.
• Intensives: during the spring and summer school holiday, intensives bring you together with national and international artists to create pieces for an end-of-year show.

For Yuva Gati students your journey with CAT includes:

• Weekly training with a home tutor in your town or city and If you don’t have one, we will help identify one near you.
• Residential Intensives split over the school year during half-term/end-of-term breaks.

Beyond the Programme

CAT isn’t just about dance classes; rather, it’s a chance to grow as an artist and as a person. You’ll get to explore the wider dance world through theatre trips, performances, and exciting workshops.

Additionally, you’ll work with other CAT students across contemporary and Yuva Gati, as well as having the opportunity to perform both within the region and further afield.

The Centre for Advanced Training Team

Throughout your time with CAT, you’ll receive guidance from our incredible team and tutors. They’ll help you balance school, dance, and your other hobbies. You’ll also get to meet and make friends with other amazing students who will support and encourage you throughout your time on CAT.

Life After CAT

The CAT programme sets you up for long-term success in the dance world. Many of our alumni have trained at prestigious institutions like Trinity Laban, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, and the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp.

Graduates have also danced with top companies like Tavaziva Dance Company and 2Faced Dance Company, with some even becoming finalists on BBC Young Dancer!

Our current and previous students have some amazing stories about their time on the CAT programme. Find out more about their time on CAT here.

Are You Ready to Join?

If you’re excited to explore your dance potential and join a passionate community, the Centre for Advanced Training programme is perfect for you. We host various workshops and open day events throughout the year that offer a taste of the programme before our admissions workshop. So, keep an eye out for these opportunities and get ready to start your amazing dance journey.