Move Orkney’s Youth Dance Company has recently returned home after performing at Glasgow’s prestigious Tramway theatre—the iconic venue currently home to the Scottish Ballet.
The Dancers: Josie MacIntosh, Jen Olsen, and Phebe Seatter, shared the stage on Friday 3 July, alongside dedicated youth dance companies from all across the United Kingdom.
The national body One Dance UK extended a direct invitation to the Orkney dancers, welcoming them to perform at the renowned U.Dance National Festival as official Guest Youth Artists. This was an important show of support for regional dance development.
The Move Orkney company said that it was a true honourto take part in the festival’s opening night, an experience that will stay with them for a lifetime.
The milestone trip builds upon years of steady dedication back home; this same group of local dancers previously made history for island dance education in 2023 by becoming the first young people in the islands to achieve an SQA-accredited National Progression Award (NPA) Level 6 in Dance and Musical Theatre.
Founder of Move Orkney, Choreographer Stephanie Hellewell Baird said:
“The grass truly grows where you water it, and we are just so incredibly thankful.
“To watch our dancers, including our long-term students Jen, Josie, and Phebe who have stayed and trained with us for 14 loyal years, grace the stage at the Tramway on Friday 3rd July was an unforgettable moment.
“We are filled with gratitude for their commitment, and so proud of how our island community pulls together to support our young people.”
Move Orkney would like to thank its main sponsor, Streamline Shipping Group. whose generous funding and constant community support made the long journey from the islands to Glasgow a reality for these young dancers.
Move Orkney recently received the Dance Sector Spotlight Award and the Green Dance Award from One Dance UK for their work in sustainable rural touring.
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