Katy Hewison - Dance Projects
Thirsk Youth Dance Company
A youth dance company for young people aged 9-16yrs in Thirsk. (No previous dance experience needed).
Meeting one Saturday afternoon a month for high energy inspiring contemporary dance workshops led by Katy Hewison. These include a fun warm up, technique class, creative choreographic work, partner lifts & group work. Other opportunities include theatre trips (travel included) & local/regional performance opportunities (non-competitive). During lockdown we have have been going online via zoom. See upcoming events below to book your place!
FacebookPage: www.facebook.com/thirskyouthdance
Private Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tydparentsguardians/
Email: thirskyouthdance@gmail.com
To pay for workshops or to give a donation please ask Katy for TYD bank transfer details.
Thank You your support is appreciated & means we can continue to provide inspiring opportunities for young people in Thirsk.
Upcoming Workshops
VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE:
www.facebook.com/thirskyouthdance
INTERESTED IN JOINING US?
Email: thirskyouthdance@gmail.com or contact us via the facebook message/or parents & guardians private group.
TESTIMONIALS
"Thirsk Youth Dance is a fantastic contemporary dance group for all abilities. The fun inclusive sessions allow my children to express themselves whilst exercising. The participants are all friendly and fun. The teacher is amazing with the children - she is energetic and enthusiastic with a fabulous dance and teaching skills. This class is a must for all those wanting to try contemporary dance in a encouraging environment or those wishing to expand on skills already gained. This class has engaged both my girl and my boy which is amazing, Thank you Katy for all your hard work"
"My daughter loves going to Thirsk Youth Dance. The sessions are creative, expressive and fun. Katy is amazing with the children and a great role model"
FAQ
I want to join an upcoming workshop event. How do I sign up? How do I book? How do I pay?
1: Fill out consent form (If new to TYD) https://forms.gle/yycBFa1sp4pc2YZC7
2: Register for upcoming event on this website (Scroll up - Click & fill out RSVP). You will then recieve a message confirming your booked place. Or if all slots have gone, it will confirm your place on the waiting list.
3: Make a payment via online link: www.paypal.me/thirskyouthdance
Or make a note on the RSVP to say you will bring cash on the workshop day (Fee will be stated on RSVP link). Current Online live workshops are a donation based fee.
All Done! This is a new method to pay & book in 2 simple steps (or 3 if it's your first time!).
If you cannot make a workshop & you have already booked (via RSVP link) just let Katy know. (It might be that we can pass your place onto someone on the waiting list so please do let us know).
What is Youth Dance? Do I need previous dance experience? What age group?
Our youth dance company is a group of young people who meet to learn contemporary dance technique skills alongside developing creative choreographic work together as a company. In short we are just like a professional dance company- it's just TYD is for young people 9-16yrs & we meet once a month!. Events such as YSDF, FRESH, UDANCE all bring together youth dance companies from across the UK, last year we were lucky to go to York University for the day (YSDF) to perform, take part in workshops,listen to one dance UK Career talk, receive arts award & see professional dance work. These youth dance events, alongside theatre trips & other special workshops are inclusive & inspirational. Please note we do not audition, work towards dance exams or compete. TYD Company is for anyone 9-16yrs old with or without dance experience. It is a supportive, friendly environment to learn & develop, grow in confidence & team work, having fun whilst developing our technical and creative contemporary dance skills.
What do I wear to a TYD Workshop?
Wear something comfy that you can move in. For example, joggers, leggings or shorts & a T-shirt or jumper. We dance in bare feet usually (or trainers if we are working outside for a special project). Due to the nature of the dance work we do (floor work, partner work/group lifts sometimes) please do not wear crop tops, short shorts or tights.
Please bring along a bottle of water if you can too.
Thirsk Youth Dance T-Shirts/Jumpers Merchandise:
You are very welcome to wear our T-shirts & Jumpers to workshops. It's helpful also to wear these when we go on theatre trips/performances. To buy these please let Katy know and she'll get them ordered for you. Fill out the Google Form with your size & request. https://forms.gle/m9tnRPf9YER3wS6N6
What are the special workshops/trips?
Every so often we go on inspirational trips together as a youth dance company. These trips bring together the participants (who are often from different schools etc) and we go in a little mini bus to a youth dance event or to a theatre for the day or evening. The bus trips usually involve lots of eye spy games & singing along to the radio, they've been said to be an important part of the trip! Previous trips have been to:
York University (Yorkshire Schools Dance Festival) We took part in arts award, dance workshops led by professionals (incl. a digital dance workshop!), watched a professional dance company perform, had a technical dress rehearsal on stage, watched around 10 other schl/youth groups perform onstage before it was our time to perform!
Theatre Trip (Riley Theatre @ Northern School of Contemporary Dance) to see professional dance company Tribe perform a physical contemporary dance work.
Other performance trips were planned but unfortunately they have been cancelled due to Covid-19. We have more trips in mind for the future once we can get back to normal though!
We plan all travel arrangements for trips, using a trusted local taxi/mini bus firm. Katy (group leader) always travels with participants. Due to limited number of seats in the bus/theatre tickets these special events need to be booked in advance. (Via the RSVP/In person/Or via email).
If you have any other questions type it in the RSVP notes box or give Katy an email at thirskyouthdace@gmail.com
Dance at Home
Pre-Recorded Dance Videos
Rural Steps Project has created a series of 10minute dance videos for young people to continue dancing at home. These can be found on the Rural Steps Facebook Page as well as by clicking on the links below. Enjoy!
For live dance classes see timetable above and click RSVP to book.
Katy Hewison
Group leader for Thirsk Youth Dance Company
In 2019 Katy set up Thirsk Youth Dance Company through the Arts Council Funded project Rural Steps (setting up youth dance companies in rural areas). We are proud to continue to deliver professional, energetic, inspiring contemporary dance opportunities (workshops, theatre trips, career talks & performances) to the young people of Thirsk. Thank You to participants, rural arts, butterflies dance studio hire, and rural steps project (Arts Council England,Craven District Council, York and North Yorkshire Dance Hub, York St John University, Yorkshire Dance, and Create Arts Development Scarborough).
Katy is a professional dance artist & teacher with extensive experience teaching for over 5years with national portfolio organisations (NPO's) Northern School of Contemporary Dance & Northern Ballet and several independent projects. She also has a huge interest in researching the connection dance & movement has within learning environments (see Improplay project). Katy is fully insured, with DBS check, Safe Guarding & First Aid Certificates. For more information on teaching experience click this link.