BBC Young Dancer - Season 4 / Year 2022
Season 4 / Year 2022
Episodes
Episode 1
BBC Young Dancer is back! Presented this year by Radio 1's Clara Amfo, it's looking for the very best young dance talent from across the UK. This time round, the competition is open to anyone aged 16-24 whose passion is dance. Performers from nearly every corner of the dance world have thrown their hat in the ring for a chance at the title and this life-changing opportunity.
Seventy-two hopefuls compete in face-to-face auditions – in ballet, street dance, contemporary, South Asian, tap and even clog dancing – for the chance to make it through to the final ten who will go on to a brand new dance residency in Dartington Hall in Devon. Across the series, the finalists will be put through their paces by leading choreographers to prepare new works for the BBC Young Dancer final in London's Roundhouse where the winner will be crowned.
The auditions are overseen by an impressive judging team with a host of accolades between them. Head judge Emma Gladstone OBE, former artistic director of London's international festival Dance Umbrella is joined by some of the industry's best talent. They are:
Award-winning choreographer and contemporary/hip-hop dancer Dickson Mbi, who has worked with the likes of Robbie Williams and The Black Eyed Peas.
English National Ballet's former principal ballerina Begona Cao.
South Asian teacher, choreographer and dancer Geetha Sridhar, with 30 years' experience behind her.
Gianna Gi, a commercial and hip-hop dance phenomenon.
Independent dance artist Annie Hanauer, a specialist in bringing disabled and non-disabled artists together.
Seeta Patel, a leading South Asian and contemporary choreographer and film-maker.
Award-winning multi-disciplinary artist Ivan Blackstock, who includes Beyonce in the list of names he has collaborated with.
Between them, they're looking for the ten most exciting dancers. And with a phenomenal standard this year, it's not going to be an easy challenge.
Episode 2
This week, the ten dancers selected at the auditions arrive in Dartington, Devon, for a week-long intensive dance academy. Awaiting them are Clara Amfo and the BBC Young Dancer team, which includes some of the best professional dancers and choreographers in the business. With time at a premium, the dancers will be under pressure as they're put through their paces in preparation for the Grand Final. As well as working on their solos, they also have brand new choreography to learn. And there's a surprise challenge in store for them too. Who will have what it takes to shine through?
The BBC Young Dancer team will expect dedication and commitment. They are:
Dancer, choreographer and multi-discipline artist Ivan Blackstock
Australian-born street dancer and freestyler Gianna Gi, in demand as a choreographer and movement director
Award-winning dancer, choreographer and artistic director Dickson MBI
Bharatanatyam and contemporary dancer and choreographer Seeta Patel
Former principal ballerina with the English National Ballet, Begoña Cao
Dancer, choreographer and designer Theo Clinkard
Movement director and choreographer Ingrid Mackinnon
Dancer and choreographer Ricky Jinks
BBC Young Dancer's artistic director Emma Gladstone OBE, former chief executive and artistic director of Dance Umbrella – London's international dance festival
Between them they bring a wealth of experience to the academy.
Episode 3
In the penultimate programme of the series, the ten dancers selected at the auditions continue to be put through their paces at the BBC Young Dancer academy at Dartington in Devon. With the clock ticking down to the end of the week, the pressure is mounting. Ivan Blackstock demands that the competitors focus fully on the task ahead as he races to complete the group dance, work begins on some brand-new duets and trios, and the dancers face the second of their Dartington Challenges.
Clara Amfo is on hand to see how everyone has coped with the demands of the week and to find out how things are progressing. The dance academy draws to a close as everyone's attention turns to the final where one of the dancers will be crowned BBC Young Dancer 2022.
The BBC Young Dancer team are:
Dancer, choreographer and multi-discipline artist Ivan Blackstock
Australian-born street dancer and freestyler Gianna Gi, in demand as a choreographer and movement director
Award-winning dancer, choreographer and artistic director Dickson MBI
Bharatanatyam and contemporary dancer and choreographer Seeta Patel
Former principal ballerina with the English National Ballet, Begoña Cao
Dancer, choreographer and designer Theo Clinkard
Dancers, choreographers and educators Sade and Kristina Alleyne
BBC Young Dancer's artistic director Emma Gladstone OBE, former chief executive and artistic director of Dance Umbrella – London's international dance festival
Episode 4
Clara Amfo presents the final of BBC Young Dancer 2022, as ten talented dancers compete for the coveted title at London's iconic Roundhouse.
As well as perfoming their own solos, the dancers will also premiere brand new duets and trios, and the final will culminate with a high-octane new group work for the whole company created by dancer, choreographer and filmmaker Ivan Blackstock.
The final also sees the return of 2019 winner Max Revell for a very special performance. Max is currently dancing for the Akram Khan Company in the new production of Jungle Book.
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