We are thrilled to announce the addition of Oldham to our Phoenix Youth Academy portfolio. Launching in September 2023 our newest satellite academy, in partnership with Oldham Sixth Form College, will provide young dancers aged 13-18 in the region with exceptional contemporary dance training and performance opportunities. 

With academies currently in Leeds, Sheffield, Doncaster, York and Gateshead, the Youth Academy programme provides high quality pre-vocational dance training for talented young dancers who are interested in pursuing a career in dance. As we round up the auditions for the next cohort of Youth Academy dancers, the launch of Phoenix Youth Academy Oldham marks an exciting time for both Phoenix Dance Theatre and aspiring dancers in the region, providing the opportunity to expand our reach and open up new opportunities in communities across the north. 

The academies include access to a 90-minute lesson each week with current and former Phoenix Dance Theatre dancers and internationally acclaimed choreographers. Dance pieces are created during intensive courses that take place during school holidays and are showcased at various platforms across the UK. 

Phoenix Youth Academy was founded in Leeds in 2009 and since then graduates have gone on to successfully audition for numerous leading conservatoires. Two Phoenix Youth Academy graduates have succeeded in being category finalists in the BBC Young Dancer competition. This year we are proud to share that 18 academy students are graduating, with 15 going on to study dance or performing arts at undergraduate level from September 2023, and three going on to study STEM subjects at university.  

All those who have auditioned for dance/performing arts conservatoires have received at least one offer and will be continuing the next stage of their dancing career at the following institutions:  Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Leeds Conservatoire, Rambert School of Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, Trinity Laban Conservatoire for Music and Dance, Institute of the Arts Barcelona, Shockout and Bird College. Places have also been offered at undergraduate programmes at London Contemporary Dance School, Performers College, London Studio Centre and Wilkes Academy of Performing Arts.  

Three younger students have also successfully auditioned for CAPA College and Renaissance Arts to study dance and performing arts while continuing to learn with us, and six Youth Academy students have been invited to the last round of auditions for Sadlers Well’s National Youth Dance Company.  

Extending our Youth Academy to Oldham continues our goal of delivering high-quality dance education and performance experiences to young people across the north of England in an accessible and inclusive way, providing excellent dance training while introducing students to the sector and the professional opportunities available. 

We highly value collaborations with other organisations, and this partnership with Oldham Sixth Form College exemplifies our commitment to working collectively. By joining forces we have greater capacity to offer more enhanced and accessible opportunities.  

Antonio Borriello, Professional Training Manager: “I am very excited for the launch of our Youth Academy cohort in Oldham in September 2023, which is the seventh in our academy portfolio. The programme’s expansion reflects young’s people passion for dance and performing arts across the North West of England, and their hunger for dance training and performance opportunities. We are excited to share Phoenix Dance Theatre’s training, vision and values with young people, communities and peers in Oldham and we look forward to collaborating with Oldham Sixth Form College to extend the dance training offer at the college and wider local dance community and ecology.” 

l-r: Professional Training Manager Antonio Borriello with PYA student. PYA class.
Photos: Scott M Salt Photography.

How to apply

Auditions for the 2023 cohort of the Phoenix Youth Academy Oldham have now closed. You can find out more about how to apply for 2024 here, and we look forward to sharing more information in the coming months.