Since its inception in 2004 the National Centres for Advanced Training in Dance (also known as National Dance CATs) have been engaging young dancers across the country. Assisting young people with exceptional talent to progress their training regardless of any barriers they may face.
The North-west regional CAT, based here at Lowry in Salford (alongside satellite classes taking place in Penrith, Cumbria) provides young people from across the region aged 11 – 18 with accessible and inspirational dance training, primarily focused on Contemporary Dance. Successful applicants access highly specialist dance training in their locality from inspiring local dance professionals, whilst continuing to live at home. This allows students to benefit from a broad and balanced education, enriching their development towards self-sustaining careers in dance.
Students on the programme train between 10-14 hours a week in a variety of techniques such as Contemporary dance, Classical Ballet, Creative Studies and Conditioning classes. With varied training in a variety of genres students are equipped with all relevant skills to progress towards a career in professional dance.
In addition to their regular training students on the programme are also provided with performance opportunities throughout the CAT year including the end of year CAT show which takes place every year in July to commemorate the year of training, previous choreographers for this showcase have been Akram Khan Company, Company Wayne McGregor, Company Chameleon, and Pheonix Dance Theatre.
How can I involved?
Audition for the Lowry CAT
Auditions for the Lowry CAT are held every year in Summer for the consecutive academic year commencing in September (see upcoming events for specific date and audition link). An audition day will consist of a class in technique and creative alongside an interview with the young person and their guardian. Regardless of outcome, you will be contacted after your audition in reference to any potential offer, guidance or feedback.
Please note that due to our funding structure (Further information below) we have 3 levels of places for the programme which we audition for, Full-Grant places (For those with a household annual income below £36,392), Part-Grant places (for those with a household annual income between £36,393 to £77,238), and Full-Fee places (for those with a household income above £77,239).
What else do we offer?
In addition to our annual audition to join the CAT programme, we also run a variety of opportunities across the academic year to engage with us, these include exciting one-off workshops and our continuous outreach projects, Lowry Youth Dance Project, Blackpool Youth Dance Project and Lowry Boys.
The Lowry Youth Dance Project is a contemporary dance training programme, which runs weekly SEP-JUL at Lowry on Thursdays 4:45 – 5:45 PM providing young people (aged 9-15) with the skills to enrich their dance ability, artistry and foundations. Perfect for young people with a passion for dance to access and develop through informed regular training by inspiring dance professionals. Get involved now by booking your place here.
The Blackpool Youth Dance Project is our satellite contemporary dance training programme based at Armfield Academy in partnership with Blackpool Council, which runs weekly SEP-JUL on Tuesdays 5:00 – 6:30 PM. The project provides young people (aged 9-16) in the local area with the opportunity to enrich their dance training, creative skills and performance skills. This project is perfect for any young person in Blackpool, and best of all is entirely free to attend. Get involved today by emailing Nicola.boyes@thelowry.com
Lowry Boys is our newest project and will be commencing on Wednesdays 5:00 – 6:00 PM from MAY 2026. The project is a first for Lowry and will bring together young male-identifying dancers aged 11-17 from across the Northwest forming an exciting youth collective with a focus on technical dance skills, creative exploration and performance opportunities. Get involved now by booking your place here.
If you are interested in any of the opportunities above and which to get involved, please email CAT@thelowry.com or call us on 0161 876 2104
Additionally, if you wish to be added to our database and receive notice of opportunities when they go live, please provide your email here to be a part of our mailing list.
Upcoming events
- Experience CAT Floorwork and Flow (Dance Workshop): 7 FEB 2026
- Explore Dance Day (Dance Workshop): 18 FEB 2026
- Boys Move! (Dance Workshop): 19 FEB 2026
- Explore Dance Day (Dance Workshop): 20 FEB 2026
- CAT in Action (Open day): 28 FEB 2026
- U Dance Northwest 2026: 14 and 15 MAR 2026
- Boys Dance Day (Dance Workshop): 28 MAR 2026
- CAT Annual Audition: 30 MAY 2026
- CAT Annual Production: 10 & 11 JUL 2026
Experience Lowry CAT - Dance Workshop
Explore Dance Day
Boys Dance Audition - Workshop
FAQs
What are the fees for the CAT Programme?
The fees for the CAT Programme annually are £4,193.00 however based on your annual income.
Does it matter if I haven’t had a lot of experience in Dance?
No formal dance experience is required; we are looking for enthusiastic and motivated young people with exceptional potential and an interest in pursuing dance as a career.
How will I fit this in with my schoolwork?
All classes as part of the Dance CAT schemes happen out of school hours. If your local Dance CAT offers classes during the week these are restricted to the evenings and you should still have time to do your homework, other provision occurs at weekends. The course leaders and /or mentors can help you plan your time using your Individual Training Plan (ITP) so that you fit in both your schoolwork and your dance lessons.
What about my current dance classes/school?
The Centre for Advanced Training is a prevocational training course which does need a high level of commitment. You will need to be able to attend all the classes on this course and we advise you to be realistic about how much you can take on at once. The number of dance classes you want to do each week is a decision you need to make with your parents/guardians and in conversation with the Centre for Advanced Training course leaders.
What if I can’t make all my sessions during the week?
The Centre for Advanced Training is for young dancers who can fully commit and attend all sessions. Most Dance CATs deliver their main programme at weekends and weekday provision varies across each centre. You should look at your Nearest Dance Cat page to find out what is provided.
Does the course only last for a year?
Most students stay on the programme for several years. Attendance, commitment and progress are monitored across your time on CAT to ensure you are supported and encouraged to do well. Some decide the Dance CAT is not for them and may leave after one or more years, receiving documentation to say they attended a Dance CAT.
What if I don’t know if a career in dance is for me?
The scheme will give you the dance training and information to help you decide if a career in dance is for you. Places are offered on a yearly basis and if you choose to leave at the end of a year you will receive documentation to say you have participated in the course.
U Dance
Alongside our range of programmes, we are also the proud host of the Regional U Dance Northwest (NW) Festival, which is part of the National U Dance Festival framework produced by One Dance UK. For 1 weekend in spring each year Lowry is flooded with talented young dancers from the region to network, engage in workshops and present their performance work on the Quays Stage for consideration to then represent the Northwest region at the National Event held in Summer.
This year the U Dance Northwest Regional Platform will welcome a range of young dancers to Lowry, 14 and 15 MAR 2026 to participate in the festival.
Although applications are now closed to partake in the 2026 festival tickets to watch the evening performances are available for purchase here.
If you are interested in participating in U Dance North West in the future, please feel free to contact us at udance@thelowry.com where we can answer any of your questions and inform you about the process to be a part of U Dance Northwest 2027.