Dreams come true for dancing starlet

This years line-up of the National Youth Dance Company (NYDC), the countrys flagship organisation for young dancers, performs a new creation by the companys Guest Artistic Director Damien Jalet. The work entitled Tarantiseismic receives its world premiere on Wednesday 19 April at Sadlers Wells, ahead of a UK national tour in June and July.

Tarantiseismic is a new commission that sees Jalet present a unique piece of theatre which addresses themes of melancholia, ritual, control and abandon. Jalets revered choreographic style combined with the young dancers energy and talent is set to produce a mesmerising experience that shifts the consciousness of the audience. Â© Tony Nandi 2017 — This years line-up of the National Youth Dance Company (NYDC), the countrys flagship organisation for young dancers, performs a new creation by the companys Guest Artistic Director Damien Jalet. The work entitled Tarantiseismic receives its world premiere on Wednesday 19 April at Sadlers Wells, ahead of a UK national tour in June and July. Tarantiseismic is a new commission that sees Jalet present a unique piece of theatre which addresses themes of melancholia, ritual, control and abandon. Jalets revered choreographic style combined with the young dancers energy and talent is set to produce a mesmerising experience that shifts the consciousness of the audience. Â© Tony Nandi 2017

Choreographed by guest artistic director Damien Jalet, Matilda Hadock made her debut in Tarantiseismic at the international dance venue and is now set to embark on a summer UK tour with the company.

Matilda, 18, from Bleasdale, who is studying for  A-levels at Leyland’s Runshaw College, never imagined making the final audition for the flagship youth company when she first applied in 2016.

She said: “I knew that NYDC was the flagship youth dance company for England, but not much more than that, so my main reason for attending the initial workshop was for the chance to dance more.

Matilda Hadock from Bleasdale who is touring with the National Youth Dance Company

“Going to Sadler’s Wells for the final audition was nerve-racking, but I approached it as another fantastic dance experience.

“I was absolutely speechless. After the initial surprise, I was ecstatic and very proud of myself, along with being nervous to see what the year would have in store.”

Following the premiere, the company will start the tour at Peninsula Arts, Plymouth University on June 25, before travelling the UK.

One of the big dates on the calendar is the Latitude Festival 2017, which opens on July 13.

The former pupil at St Cecilia’s RC High School, Longridge, added: “NYDC has been an amazing experience so far.

“It’s difficult to describe, but the intensity of the days, the quality of the dance and the wonderful people in the company all mean that I didn’t want to come home after the October and February residencies

“Really, I love it all. At the moment, I’m particularly excited to be performing at Latitude Festival 2017 and hoping to get the chance to see some other performances there.”

Matilda started dancing at the age of four, attending weekly classes in tap, ballet and modern with the The Garstang School of Dance.

She said: “When I was 15, I auditioned for and joined Ludus Youth Dance Company in Lancaster and then Maelstrom Youth, which introduced me to contemporary dance.

“I continue to dance with both these companies as it gives me an invaluable experience of contemporary dance technique and performance.”

Of her experience since joining the NYDC last October, the teenager said: “NYDC has already increased my confidence a lot in dance, and as the year progresses, it is my aim to continue to push myself out of my comfort zone.

“NYDC is also a wonderful opportunity to work closely in a professional environment with an international choreographer, and to experience growing from a group of young dancers into a cohesive company, skills which I know will be useful throughout my life, not just in dance.

“It has been an incredible experience working with Damien Jalet.

“He is an internationally renowned choreographer and pushes us to achieve things I didn’t think were possible.

“Damien makes us work very hard, and although each day is as exhausting as the last, it is also very rewarding.

“Having watched various of Damien’s previous works, it is a very exciting feeling to hope he will create something just as spectacular with us.”