Phoenix Youth Academy: 2026 audition dates announced
23 Mar 2026
Applications are now open for passionate dancers aged 13–18 to join our 2026/27 Phoenix Youth Academy cohorts in Leeds, York, Doncaster, Sheffield, and Oldham.
Weekly sessions are led by our expert practitioners as well as our Professional Training Manager, Mason Jubb. Students also have the opportunity to work directly with our company of professional dancers, alongside our Artistic Director, Marcus Jarrell Willis. As a company, we are dedicated to providing young people with access to high-quality dance training, shaped and enriched by our artistic practice as an organisation.
Auditions to join our 2026/27 cohort take place throughout June:
York (ages 13 -18)
Friday 5 June
Leeds Juniors (ages 13-15) & Leeds Seniors (ages 16-18)
Sunday 7 June
Doncaster (ages 13 -18)
Thursday 11 June
Sheffield (ages 13 -18)
Monday 15 June
Oldham (ages 13-18)
Tuesday 23 June
Life as a Phoenix Youth Academy Student
Throughout the year, students engage in a consistent programme of training that supports both their artistic and technical development, which includes;
- Weekly technique classes
- Half-term intensives led by a variety of teachers, including our company dancers
- Performance opportunities such as Summer Dance Platform, ResTec and Yorkshire Dance’s FRESH
- Trips to watch Phoenix Dance Theatre and other professional dance companies perform live
Our Phoenix Youth Academy creates a clear pathway to a career in dance. Students also receive individual-focused mentoring to help them prepare for their next steps, with many of our graduates successfully auditioning for numerous leading conservatoires such as Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, London Contemporary Dance School, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, The Ailey School, Institute of the Arts Barcelona, Royal Conservatoire Antwerp, Bird College, Laine Theatre Arts and Urdang Academy.
In Their Own Words
“My favourite thing about being a part of the academy is working with the people, both the choreographers that are teaching the sessions and all of the dancers. Everyone’s here to learn and be creative and have a good time and it creates a great atmosphere.” – Current Phoenix Youth Academy (Doncaster) student
” I started off just doing street dance. I never really got into contemporary. Phoenix has given people like me a space to learn and incorporate some street in contemporary. It [Phoenix Youth Academy] incorporates other styles, it’s like a contemporary fusion, which differs to any other place.” – Current Phoenix Youth Academy (Leeds Seniors) student