‘A dream come true’: Four young NI dancers through to final of UK competition

They have beaten almost a thousand entrants to reach the final

Four young dancers from Northern Ireland are through to the final of a UK competition beating almost 1,000 entrants.

The final of the UK Young Dancer programme will be held at the Royal Ballet and Opera House in London on September 7.

This follows months of mentoring ‘by some of the UK’s leading proponents of Classical and Theatrical Dance’ including Leanne Benjamin and Dame Arlene Phillips.

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Through to the final are Madison Crawford from Belfast, of High Points Youth Ballet (Classical), and Maia McFall from Crumlin, of The Doogan Dance Academy (14-16 Theatre Category).

Chloe Parker from Belfast, of Kaleidoscope Gymnastics Cheer & Dance (17-19 Theatre Category) is also through to the final, as well as Claudia Hunt from Coleraine, of Victoria Lagan Dance and Drama (also the 17-19 Theatre Category).

Madison Crawford said: “I am thrilled to be a UK Young Dancer Finalist for 2025. Bringing UKYD to Northern Ireland is a special opportunity, giving young talent here the chance to showcase their skills, connect with other dancers and expert teachers, and gain an invaluable experience that will leave a significant impact on our development as artists. It is a privilege to be part of a program that supports such promising talent, and I cannot wait to share my passion with the audience at the Royal Opera House this September!”

Chloe Parker added: “I am beyond grateful for this opportunity to be able to take part in the UKYD programme and that it came to Belfast is just absolutely amazing and to be able to go to London to perform has always been a dream of mine and I never thought I would make it to the final so it’s is literally a dream come true for me. I wouldn’t have been able get this far if it wasn’t for my amazing teachers in Kaleidoscope that have supported me on my journey.”

Launched in 2023, UK Young Dancer is a non-profit initiative ‘designed to discover and nurture the most promising young dancers across the UK’.

Leanne Benjamin said: “ I have recently had the joy of coaching the 2025 UK Young Dancer Classical Finalists, alongside my dear friend Steven McRae, and we were bowled over by the talent on display. I am delighted that dancers from all four countries of the UK will bring their interpretation of the repertoire that they have learnt with my esteemed colleagues, along with an original solo.

“I can’t wait to see them shine at the Clore Studio Theatre at the Royal Ballet and Opera House in September. Together with my fellow judges, Ryoichi Hirano and Gary Avis, we certainly have a tough task ahead!”

Dame Arlene Phillips said: “ I am so proud of the UK Young Dancer programme, now in its third year. Having worked with the 2025 Finalists I am so excited to how they bring their narrative to the Royal Opera House in September.

“I am thrilled to see dancers who have been Finalists for all three years and how they have improved and developed during their UKYD journey. UKYD provides a pathway to the profession, it is not a battle against everyone else in the room it is a coming together to tell your own story through dance.”

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