Youth Provision

RJC Dance offers children and young people 4-19 years an authentic experience that focuses on how dance can unlock their potential, creativity and style. The placement of value on the expressive power of dance creates & helps young people to develop skills that gives them a strong foundation to move onto other dance training should they wish to do so. RJC Dance creates a safe and enjoyable learning environment for participants.

Dance Pathways

Young people form the core of RJC Dance's current work; over 200 young people attend weekly dance sessions at the Mandela Centre in Leeds. We support and offer regular performance and personal development opportunities through the introduction of Dance Pathways.

The Pathways model is based on the following key elements that ensure success for young people:

• Affordable programme
• Regular dance classes
• Performance and workshop opportunities with partners e.g. NSCD
• Challenging residential experiences
• Progression through achievement
• Celebration of success
• Accreditation through Arts Awards

All participants will develop a personal plan that enables them to set goals and mark their achievements. Participation requires weekly attendance at classes and involvement in performance and residential opportunities. These are seen as key to the personal and professional development that will enable them to achieve accreditation (Arts Award) and to gain the most from their time at RJC Dance.

As our young people are also ambassadors for the organisation, they are key to the youth element of our marketing strategy. They will be encouraged to develop the confidence to reach out to and include other young people who have yet to experience all that RJC Dance can offer, via social networks, peer tutoring and RJC Dance Youth Committee.

RJC Dance Youth Provision consists of:

Shahck Out Youth Dance: 13–19yrs

Wednesday 5pm–7pm
Programme:
Dance training/ choreography/ rehearsal sessions and dance performance alongside an integrated social and personal development programme.

Shachk Out Youth Dance provides an accessible arts training programme of personal development through creative movement, dance and performance delivered by RJC Dance and other professionals.

Boys Group 12-19 yrs

Saturday 11am - 12.30pm
Programme:
A boys-only dance training/ choreography/ rehearsal sessions and dance performance alongside an integrated social and personal development programme.

Shahck Out Thursday PM: 13–19 yrs

Thursday PM 5pm –6:30pm
Programme:
Dance training/ choreography/ rehearsals and dance performance, sessions weekly throughout the year. This sessions provide an introduction to RJC Dance forms and the development of performance work.

Shahck Out Juniors - 9–12 yrs

Tuesday 5pm - 6:30pm and Saturday 9.30am - 11am
Programme:
Dance training/ choreography/ rehearsal sessions and dance performance, sessions weekly throughout the year. This session provides an introduction to RJC Dance forms and the development of performance work.

Shachk Out Kidz 6-8yrs

Thursday 4:15pm - 5pm
Programme:
Introduction to creative movement developing dance skills, self awareness and confidence.
This session builds basic routines to music and enhances creative development.

Youth Theatre 9-12yrs

Friday 4:30pm - 6pm
Programme:
In partnership with Leeds Playhouse these sessions focus on building confidence and drama performance skills, as well as developing an understanding of theatre and how shows are produced. The programme involves regular trips to the playhouse to see performances.

RJC Dance Youth Provision is a critically acclaimed, award winning community dance provision based at the Mandela Centre, Chapeltown Road, Leeds. It is a thriving and dynamic youth dance provision for young people 4-19yrs. The provision is rooted in equality and cultural diversity and engages young people from all backgrounds and provides new, different and life-changing experiences.

Youth Enagement & Education work is at the heart of RJC Dance. We provide young people with an accredited, progression route into further education, the arts and creative industries, alongside a programme of social and personal education. The dance work is of a high artistic quality and performance level. RJC Dance Youth Provision perform by invitation at many festivals and events throughout Leeds and Yorkshire and nationally, including carnivals, national conferences, summer schools and RJC Dance projects. The organisation is committed to developing international links and exchanges for its young people.

RJC Dance also provides work placements, mentoring and residential opportunities for young people. Social inclusion sits alongside a creative agenda, with referrals from social services, education, Youth Offending Teams, Youth Service and other voluntary organisations. Through this unique programme of work, young people have the opportunity to become the choreographers, dance artists and creative leaders of the future.