Matthew Rawcliffe supports open auditions for Lowry CAT

BBC Young Dancer 2019 finalist, Matthew Rawcliffe is encouraging young people to follow in his footsteps by joining opening auditions for The Lowry Centre for Advanced Training in Dance (The Lowry CAT) where his career started.

The Lowry CAT is the North West base for national scheme, Centres for Advanced Training, which enables young dancers, aged 11-16, who show potential for a career in music and dance, to benefit from world-class specialist training.

Graduates from the programme have gone on to study dance at major UK conservatories and vocational schools including: Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance; Central School of Ballet; the Northern School of Contemporary Dance; London Contemporary Dance School (The Place); and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and Bird College.

After graduating from Lowry CAT Matthew went on to train with Rambert, and is appearing in BBC Young Dancer 2019 Grand Final on 18 May.

“The Lowry CAT scheme helped me understand the discipline required to be a professional dancer,” he says. “It allowed me to realise dance was something I was passionate about and it opened my mind to many opportunities in dance. As a Lowry CAT student, I worked with so many dance professionals, it was so inspirational, and it gave me the confidence to audition for Rambert School. I am now in my second year and competing in the BBC Young Dancer Grand Final! For any young dancer looking for a way into the profession, guidance and support, I can’t recommend The Lowry CAT enough.”

Matthew Rawcliffe in ‘Axon’. The Lowry CAT at UDance 2016 Nationals. Photography Brian Slater

Other alumni have gone on to perform with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Motionhouse, VERVE Graduate Dance Company, EDge Graduate Dance Company, Southpaw Dance Company, Jasmin Vardimon 2, Disneyland Paris, Fallen Angels Dance Theatre, and Cilla The Musical.

Throughout May and June the Lowry CAT is running free open auditions in Salford, Chester, Kendal and Carlisle, for young dancers interested in the art-form as a career.

Auditions take place between 12 May and 9 June. Visit the northwestdance.org.uk for details about the Lowry CAT, its free open days, drop-in sessions and auditions.