SYD:B SHOREDITCH YOUTH DANCE
WHAT IS SYD:B?
(pronounced = sid - bee)
SYD:B was born of this interest in SYD:B is a not-for-profit social enterprise, built to support young performers in their artistic journey. Smikle Youth Dance programmes provide expert, industry led, pre-vocational dance training, yet, supports the wellbeing of its participants by building relationships with young people who need an additional support system in their lives. SYD:B is an established, respected and valued hub for the community - where students and parents alike learn, create, grow and play.
SYD:B exists to showcase the talent of young performers, train them to become stronger and prepare them for vocational training and to connect young dancers with the professional dance industry through workshops, performances and choreographic collaboration. Retiring from a decorated performing career, Lee Smikle elected to devote his time to his true passion of encouraging future performers.
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Our Performance Company is for students with the passion and the skills for performance. In these sessions, students will create works, collaborate with choreographers and learn choreographic practice, to perform.
Students in our Performance Company must have attended contemporary dance technique classes or have a significant knowledge of other complimentary dance styles and some experience performing in front of others.
We have found this programme to be life-changing for many of our students as many arrive deeply shy and apprehensive. This programme exists to forge confidence and solidarity between the students, as they develop deep friendships and the skills to exhibit their dance abilities.
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WEEKENDS
The SYD:B Senior Academy is right for those who are between 16 and 18 years old and considering a career in dance or the performing arts. They must have a significant knowledge of contemporary dance techniques. We may encourage many of our older students to attend other pre-vocational programmes alongside their training with Smikle Dance Project, such as Pre-Vocational courses with Rambert, NSCD or our very own BATCH training programme.
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WEEKEND TRAINING
Our SYD:B Junior Academy students are between the ages of 13 and 15 years old. Many students in our Junior Academy have not participated in pre-vocational training but must have attended contemporary dance technique classes or have a significant knowledge of other complimentary dance styles.
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WEEKEND TRAINING
SYD:B Pre-Academy is suitable for our youngest group of students from 10 to 12 years old. Students in the Pre-Academy are recommended to have a basic knowledge of contemporary dance technique, or have attended other dance classes consistently.
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5PM-6:30PM - FRIDAY
Boys Co. is a creative Performance company which is formed of boys between the ages of 9 and 15 years old. This performance company was developed to combat the decline in interest from young boys who have the desire to dance, to be creative and to perform. Whilst our Academies and Performance Companies are all open and welcoming of all gender expressions, we understand that there can be a different bond forged between young male dancers, who thrive in such an environment which cultivates confidence and support for one another.
HISTORY OF SYD:B
Lee built SYD (Shoreditch Youth Dance) to provide access for young people living in London to enter creative industries, by introducing them to art through movement. By building an environment for these kids to create and play and grow within themselves, the SYD programme was a fundamental building block in the careers of its alumni, many of whom are successful and decorated artists in a variety of mediums.
After years of living in the city of London, Lee migrated South arriving at the coast, finding renewed interest in his endeavour to connect with young people through dance, in a different setting, with a different set of challenges.