On Saturday 14 March 2026, RISE was proud to co-host the South West Regional U.Dance Platform alongside Bath Spa University, bringing together talented young dancers from across the region for a day of performance, creativity, learning and connection.
From inspiring workshops and conversations about future opportunities in dance to an unforgettable showcase of youth dance talent in the region, the event was a fantastic celebration of everything that makes the South West’s youth dance community so special.
Celebrating the Next Generation of Dancers
At the heart of U.Dance is a simple but powerful idea: giving young people the opportunity to share their creativity, develop their skills and connect with others who share their passion for dance.
We were delighted to welcome an excellent selection of youth dance companies and groups, each bringing their own unique energy, creativity and choreographic voice to the stage.
A huge congratulations to all our performing groups:
Stanked Wonky
Hampshire Youth Dance Company
Fuzzy Logic
Merge Dance Company
Somerset Youth Dance Company
RISE Youth Dance
Coast Youth Dance Company
Swindon Youth Dance Company
Dorset Youth Dance Company
The performances showcased the incredible breadth of talent, imagination and dedication among young dancers across the region. Every group brought something different to the platform, making for an exciting and varied celebration of youth dance.
And that’s exactly what U.Dance is all about. It’s not a competition – it’s an opportunity to celebrate creativity, champion young voices and recognise the hard work and commitment of dancers and their group leaders.
More Than a Performance: A Day of Inspiration and Learning
While the performances were a highlight, U.Dance is about so much more than stepping onto the stage.
Throughout the day, dancers had the opportunity to take part in workshops led by RISE Alumni Dancer Alex Gosmore.
It was wonderful to welcome Alex back to share his experience, creativity and knowledge with the next generation of young dancers. Having a RISE alumni dancer leading workshops made the occasion particularly special, demonstrating how the journey through youth dance can continue to open doors and create exciting opportunities.
The workshops gave dancers the chance to explore movement, develop their skills and connect with young people from other companies – an important part of what makes events like U.Dance so valuable.
Exploring What’s Next: Progression Routes in Dance
Another important part of the day was helping young dancers discover where their passion for dance might take them next.
We were delighted to welcome Michelle Elliott, former Subject Lead for Dance at Bath Spa University and now Senior Research Fellow at the university, who led an insightful seminar exploring progression routes in dance.
The session introduced young dancers to the many possibilities available to them, including:
Professional dance training and conservatoire pathways
Studying dance at university
Developing skills and experience for a future in the dance industry
Exploring the different routes into further education and professional practice
For young dancers beginning to think about their futures, having access to this kind of information and guidance is incredibly valuable.
At RISE, we’re passionate about supporting young people not only in their development as performers and creators, but also in building the confidence, knowledge and ambition to take their next steps, wherever those might lead.
The Power of Youth Dance
One of the most rewarding things about hosting the South West Regional Platform was seeing so many young people come together through their shared love of dance.
Events like U.Dance remind us just how important opportunities for young dancers are.
They’re about much more than the final performance. They’re about making new friends, discovering different styles of movement, learning from experienced practitioners, being inspired by other young performers and feeling part of a wider creative community.
For some dancers, U.Dance might be a stepping stone towards further training or a professional career. For others, it might simply be an unforgettable experience that builds confidence, creates friendships and strengthens their love of dance.
A Huge Thank You!
An event like this doesn’t happen without the energy, commitment and generosity of a whole community of people.
We’d like to say an enormous THANK YOU to:
Every young dancer who performed – for your creativity, commitment, enthusiasm and fantastic performances.
All the youth dance leaders, teachers and choreographers – for the time, care and dedication you put into supporting your dancers and creating opportunities for them to shine.
Bath Spa University – for partnering with RISE to host this special regional event.
Alex Gosmore – for delivering inspiring workshops and sharing your experience with the young dancers.
Michelle Elliott – for sharing valuable insights into dance education, training and progression.
Everyone who supported the event behind the scenes – for helping make the day such a success.
Our wonderful audience, families and supporters – for championing youth dance and celebrating the achievements of these talented young people.
And of course, a special thank you to One Dance UK, whose national U.Dance programme continues to create opportunities for young people to perform, learn and connect across the country.
To everyone involved in U.Dance South West 2026 – congratulations! You made it a truly memorable day, and we couldn’t be prouder to have been part of it.
