DANCERS from across the south west gathered at Swindon Dance on Friday to take part in a workshop put on by the National Youth Dance Company.

The company is currently travelling around the country in order to form its troupe for next year, and the best dancers will find out next week if they made it into the second round.

From 1pm to 5pm teenage dancers aged between 16 and 18 from a range of different towns and backgrounds visited Swindon Dance to take part in a workshop in contemporary dance led by Rob Guy.

Emma Jones, the Dance Education and Develop-ment Manager, said: “The workshop at Swindon Dance was for dancers aged 16 to 18 from diverse backgrounds with experience in different dances who came together for a workshop of contemporary dance.

“It was brilliant, we had about 10 people come and some of those were from the Youth Dance Academy here at Swindon Dance.

“They came from Swindon, Bristol and even Exeter.”

Emma said: “They all worked extremely hard and the studio was quite sweaty when they had finished.

“Even if they weren’t successful it was a fantastic experience for them and a great opportunity to meet other dancers from across the south west.”

Of those who took part in workshops across the country, 30 will ultimately be chosen to to join the National Youth Dance Company and will get the opportunity to work with the new guest artistic director.

In the past, Swindon Dance Youth Dance Academy student Edward Arnold was a member of the National Youth Dance Company.

Emma said: “He was 14 when he started with Swindon Dance with the Youth Dance Academy, and he went on to do the BTEC we offer here.

“Two years ago he auditioned for the National Youth Dance Company and he was successful.

“Now he is looking forward to joining the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance.”