Centre for Advanced Training
Course details
Introduction
Are you aged 12-17 and see your future in dance? Are you ready to commit to an intensive programme of training to take your dancing to the next level?
The Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) at Trinity Laban is for young people with exceptional talent and potential in dance. It gives you the opportunity to access high quality dance training in a supportive, nurturing environment.
Classes give you intensive and rigorous dance training, and you’ll be taught by a highly experienced team of professional dance teachers and artists. We create an environment where every student feels welcomed and represented, where you bring your whole self to the studio and graduate from the programme with an open mind and exciting approach to dance.
The CAT programme prepares you for further training and a career in dance, if that’s the right thing for you.
Key Features
On the CAT programme you will take classes in contemporary dance, ballet and hip-hop. You’ll develop physical strength, clarity of movement, sensitivity to musical phrasing and whole-body engagements.
The Centre for Advanced Training at Trinity Laban is set up to:
- Actively seek out and identify talented and motivated young people who have the potential for a career in dance.
- Provide a challenging and supportive programme that nurtures you as a reflective performer and creative artist.
- Develop your understanding of your own physical potential so you can work safely.
- Extend your cultural experience through a range of visits to see professional dance work in a range of genres, theatres, galleries and concerts.
- Collaborate with Junior Trinity to establish a vital link between dance and music students within the DCSF Music and Dance Scheme.
- Provide information about further dance training and higher education so that you can make informed decisions about future career choices and pathways.
Trinity Laban CAT alumni go on to take diverse and exciting pathways after they leave us in the arts and other industries. Keeping in touch with us and other CAT Alumni means you will be part of a growing community who have shared the unique Trinity Laban CAT experience. It is an effective way to keep in contact, network and find out about dance industry opportunities.
Key Facts
- Duration
- Minimum 1 year
- Location
- Laban Building
- Start Date
- September 2025
Key Dates
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Open Day (1) - booking opens in Autumn Term
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Open Day (2)
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Auditions for September 2025 intake (applications open in Spring 2025. All applicants receive an audition place)
Detailed Information
The CAT programme covers many topics over the year including:
Performance Enhancement (PEn) sessions to support your technical and creative training. The content focuses on general physical functioning and is supported by current Dance Science research and knowledge. You’ll work on stamina and fitness levels; muscular strength and conditioning; alignment and control and body and anatomical awareness.
Regular creative workshops with professional choreographers. You’ll be encouraged to be imaginative, innovative and take creative risks in dance.
In order to develop your practical experience of performing, there will be regular performance opportunities, including:
- Termly informal sharings of work for family and friends
- Contributing to the Youth and Community Dance Platforms
- Performances in the Laban Theatre
- Performing in theatres in London and beyond
CAT is part of a national programme funded and developed by the Department for Education, Music and Dance Scheme. For more information about the national scheme, please visit National Dance CAT.
Access and Support Needs
The CAT Programme is suitable for young people with moderate access and support needs such as autism, a learning disability and/or neurodiversity up to 25 years old.
Working with young people and their families, we implement reasonable adjustments to support you to access and participate in CAT.
We ask families to disclose information about access and support needs when students enrol. We may then contact families for further information, and implement reasonable adjustments as required. This might include Assistant support, use of communication tools, adjustment to timetables, use of quiet zones/ breakout spaces in the building, reducing the potential for sensory overload etc.
Entry Requirements
We welcome students with varying dance experience, gained in formal or informal settings. You should be highly motivated, eager to develop new skills and ready for a long-term commitment to an intensive programme of regular dance training.
Trinity Laban is committed to encouraging more boys and young men to get involved in dance. We have a high percentage of boys on the CAT programme and actively encourage them to apply for the scheme.
Open Days
Open Days are a chance to find out more about the CAT programme and you’ll have the chance to join a practical dance session. This is followed by a presentation and Q&A for parents/guardians. Open Days are free to attend. Bookings for Open Days open in the Autumn 2024.
Auditions
Your auditions will consist of a practical class involving contemporary technique, hip-hop technique, and creative tasks. There will also be an opportunity to meet the CAT teachers and ask questions about the programme. You won’t need to prepare anything ahead of auditioning.
Applications for Auditions will open in Spring 2025. All applicants receive an audition place.
Once you have submitted your application, you will be sent a confirmation email with your audition date. If you cannot attend your allocated audition date, please contact cat@trinitylaban.ac.uk asap.
If you’d like to be notified when our applications open please complete this short form.
For queries about the CAT programme or application support, please contact cat@trinitylaban.ac.uk.
Fees
Fees cover all of the student’s dance training fees, including Saturday and weekday classes (if relevant), theatre trips and CAT merchandise.
Payments can be made in one lump sum or eight monthly instalments between September – April.
CAT is funded by the Department for Education as part of its Music and Dance Scheme. Financial support is available for each student to cover the cost of tuition, and in some cases travel, subject to residence conditions, age, and means testing based on family income.
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The full amount of grant for the school year starting in September 2024 will be £4,139.
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It is free to participate in CAT if your total relevant household income is £34,037.12 or less in the tax year ended 5 April 2024. If your family income is more than £34,037.13, you will receive a smaller grant and you may have to make a contribution to the cost of CAT programme. Families earning over £74,883.13 pay full fees of £4,139 per year. You can visit the National CAT website for fee breakdown.
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Parents/Guardians of pupils accepted onto the Centre for Advanced Training are requested to fill out the Music and Dance Scheme’s means testing form to assess whether their child/dependent is eligible for a full or partial grant.
If you would like any more information about CAT fees and finances, please contact Niesha Holder at N.Holder@trinitylaban.ac.uk.