Salford’s Lowry will host an open day and auditions for young people with a passion for dance in the region.
Young people aged between 11-16 will be invited to the 2025 autumn intake for the Lowry Centre for Advanced dance Training (Lowry CAT).
The Open Day will be hosted on Sunday 8 June, which will allow young people to prepare for auditions which are scheduled for Sunday 29 June.
Lowry CATis open to young people aged between 11 and 16 who would like to explore dance in more depth and commit to intensive training to develop their full potential physically and artistically in dance.
Once on the scheme students may stay until 18.
Part of a national programme funded by the Department for Education’s Music and Dance Scheme (MDS), Centres for Advanced Training (CATs) exist to help identify and assist children with exceptional potential, regardless of their personal circumstances. 
The scheme will allow young people to benefit from world-class specialist training as part of a broad and balanced education enabling them, if they choose, to proceed towards self-sustaining careers in dance.
Since its inception in 2004, CATs have been providing young people with accessible and inspirational dance training.
For successful applicants are able to access highly specialised dance training in their locality, whilst continuing to live at home.
The Lowry CAT offers weekly intensive training throughout the year in Contemporary Technique and other dance techniques.
These techniques will include ballet, plus workshops in choreography, improvisation, health & wellbeing, injury prevention, contextual studies, Pilates.
Through the different techniques, dancers will be offered the unique opportunities to work creatively to develop their artistic and creative skills.
The opportunity will also allow young people in Salford and the Northwest to have weekly sessions with professional dance companies and artists in intensive workshops and courses.
Artists will include Akram Khan Company, Phoenix Dance Theatre, Rambert Dance Company.
As part of the MDS funding, a number of means-tested grants are available for families, allowing the widest possible access across the Northwest region.
Ahead of the open day and auditions Sally Wyatt, Centre for Advanced Training Manager said: “We are looking for young people who demonstrate potential in and enthusiasm for dance.
“We are holding auditions for places on the Lowry CAT Scheme, and we will be looking closely at the potential of each student regardless of their previous dance experience and personal circumstances.”
The training programme has a highly successful track record, graduates from the course have gone on to study dance at major UK conservatories and vocational schools.
These schools include London Contemporary Dance School (The Place); Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance; the Northern School of Contemporary Dance; Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, as well as Central School of Ballet; Bird College of Performing Arts.
Ahead of the auditions, Lowry CAT Graduate 2017 and BBC Young Dancer Contemporary Dance Category Winner 2019, Matthew Rawcliffe said.
“CAT was such an important part of my development as a dance artist, the tutors are so passionate and thorough, and it really pushed me to develop my skills beyond technique and investigate further the possibilities of a career in dance.
“It’s a fun, challenging and very supportive environment for getting into contemporary dance.”
Those who are interested can apply for the Open Day on Sunday 8 June here, and those wanting to apply for auditions can fill in the form here.
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