Youth ambassadors set the scene for dance festival

Youth ambassadors set the scene for dance festival

A stellar group of young dancers has been announced as ambassadors for this year’s Australian Youth Dance Festival (AYDF). AYDF is the national showcase for youth dancers and young choreographers. This year it is being held at Victorian College of the Arts in Southbank, the heart of Melbourne’s bustling arts precinct.

The AYDF Youth Ambassadors are chosen by their home company and have an important role at the festival. The ambassadors are respected by their peers and will lead discussions during festival workshops. The ambassadors are a conduit between the young dancers and the festival artistic directors, Caitlin Comerford and Kyall Shanks.

Ebony Ryan-Miners representing FLING Physical Theatre neatly sums up the ambassador’s role at AYDF, “My role as an AYDF Youth Ambassador is to encourage everyone to be involved, be open to learning, havethe best experience, and create wonderful memories.”

Julia Villaflor from QL2 Dance agrees and adds that AYDF is, “all about hearing other views and contributing your own.” Meghann Burton of The Flipside Project wants to encourage participants to take risks in their dancing and step, “outside of their comfort zone.”

The future of dance is secure in these capable young hands. Each participating company has nominated ambassadors who are already showing leadership potential, creativity, and a passion that inspires their ensemble.

The ambassadors are as follows: Arshiya Abhishree, QL2 Dance; Julia Villaflor, QL2 Dance; Meghann Burton, Catapult The Flipside Project; Sophie Conway, Catapult The Flipside Project; Sage Price, Stompin Youth Dance Company; Ruby Howard, Stompin Youth Dance Company; Curtis Thorpe, DRILL Performance Company; Ebony Ryan-Miners, FLING Physical Theatre; MayaRae Navarette, FLING Physical Theatre; Mihkayla Bartlett, AUSTI. Dance & Physical Theatre; Jacqui Maida, Yellow Wheel; and Tabatha Sango, Youth Dance Makers Initiative.

Visit ausdancevic.org.au to learn more about this year’s Australian Youth Dance Festival.