Kick Off

About Kick Off

Supporting Boys and Young Men in Dance

Kick Off was established to address the under-representation of boys and young men in dance and to create a dedicated space where male dancers can develop their skills, confidence and aspirations.

The project provides high-quality dance opportunities whilst helping participants understand the many pathways available within dance, whether recreational, educational or professional.

By bringing together leading dance and education organisations in Leeds, Kick Off creates opportunities that help young people build confidence, develop artistic skills and progress into further training and performance opportunities.

History and Context

In 2014, Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD), with funding from the Breeze Arts Festival, began a six-week partnership project with DAZL and Carr Manor Community School to establish a boys’ youth dance group. The project culminated in an all-male dance platform at The Riley Theatre and demonstrated a clear demand for dedicated dance opportunities for boys and young men.

In 2015, with support from Conservatoires for Dance and Drama (CDD), a strengthened partnership was developed between NSCD, DAZL and Phoenix Dance Theatre. Together they recognised the need for sustained male-focused dance provision within Leeds and began developing a longer-term programme of activity.

In 2016, Leeds City College joined the partnership, enabling the project to expand and offer additional progression opportunities for participants.

Following DAZL’s departure from the partnership in 2024, Kick Off continues to thrive through the collaboration between NSCD, Phoenix Dance Theatre and Leeds City College, maintaining its commitment to supporting boys and young men in dance across the city.

Today, Kick Off remains one of the few dedicated programmes in the region specifically focused on nurturing male dance talent and creating opportunities for progression into youth dance, vocational training and higher education.

Project Aims

Kick Off aims to:

• Support, nurture and retain boys and young men in dance.
• Increase access to high-quality dance training and performance opportunities.
• Build confidence, creativity and wellbeing through participation.
• Provide positive role models and peer networks for young male dancers.
• Create clear progression routes into further training and professional pathways.
• Increase the visibility of boys and men within dance and challenge stereotypes around participation.
• Connect participants with leading dance artists, companies and training providers.

Progression Pathways

Kick Off has a strong track record of supporting participants into further training and performance opportunities.

Past and current progression routes include:

• Phoenix Dance Theatre’s Phoenix Academy
• NSCD Centre for Advanced Training (CAT)
• NSCD+ Youth and Participation Programmes
• Leeds City College Performing Arts Programmes
• CertHE and BA (Hons) Degree Programmes at Northern School of Contemporary Dance
• Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
• Urdang Academy
• Irie! Dance Theatre
• Other regional and national youth dance companies and training opportunities

The project enables participants to understand what opportunities exist within dance and supports them in taking their next steps, whatever their aspirations may be.