The British have a longstanding love of TV dance shows. Think only of the huge popularity of Come Dancing, one of television’s longest-running shows, and its more glitzy celebrity reincarnation, Strictly Come Dancing. Now the BBC is hoping that its latest, more serious, dance competition will be just as a big a hit.
BBC Young Dancer 2015 is inspired by the success of the BBC Young Musician contest, which is still going strong after almost 40 years on our screens. Violinist Nicola Benedetti and pianist Freddy Kempf are among the classical music stars who were brought to the world’s attention by the competition. Dancers in the new show’s four categories – ballet, contemporary, hip-hop and southern Asian – are hoping for similar acclaim. Preliminary rounds have already been held to select dancers, who must be aged between 16 and 20. They were judged by some of the industry’s most eminent dance experts – including Christopher Hampson, artistic director of Scottish Ballet – on technical, creative and expressive abilities.
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