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Guelph Youth Dance Company

The GYD Company was formed in 2008, by Janet Johnson and Catrina von Radecki as a means of further celebrating, enhancing and training young dancers. The GYD Company only hires professional, established Canadian dance choreographers with great skill and artistry as well as experience with youth education.

For aspiring dancers 14 – 19 years (by audition)

dancers in circle

Performance Opportunities

In addition to the December Open House and the Spring Show at the River Run Centre, company members will have several other performance opportunities throughout the year.

Over the past five years the company has performed at DanceOntario Weekend, Harbourfront Centre, Art Harvest, Guelph Dance Festival, and have participated in a summer residency with Tara Luz Danse in Ottawa, a week long exchange in Moncton New Brunswick,  a 10-day tour throughout China, a 12-day tour in Spain, an exchange with the Halifax Young Company through Experiences Canada,  Linamar for the performing arts performances at the River Run Centre just to name a few opportunities!

Company members have worked with highly acclaimed guest choreographers including: Anik Bouvrette (Ottawa), Lina Cruz and Suzanne Miller from Montreal, and Karen Kaeja,  Kate Hilliard, Jordana Deveau all from Toronto, Lacey Smith from London, and Dancetheatre David Earle  from Guelph. In order to build relationships with other creative youth in our community, we have built regular partnerships with the Suzuki String School, Season Singers and Swansea School of Dance.

The GYD Company classes and rehearsals run from September – May. If accepted in to the Company, members would be required to attend every company rehearsal
 and attend every performance. Attending the Summer Intensive is also mandatory for all members joining the company as they will begin work on a piece they will continue to develop during the year. Summer Intensives dates July 10-14, 2023 (Dob 2010-2013).

GYD Company weekly training

Mandatory for all company members:

Company Ballet and Rehearsal

Contemporary Technique and Composition

Company Mandatory Technique  and Company Rehearsal

Additional Classes highly recommended

Conditioning

Extra Ballet 14 and up

Optional

Jazz 14 and up