DU Dance NI

DU Dance NI DU Dance (NI) is a professional dance development company based in Belfast.

DU Dance (NI) is a professional dance development company based in Belfast and working across the island of Ireland, the UK and internationally. ITS AIM is to introduce young people to dance and the creative arts, and to advocate dance as a tool for facilitating personal and social development. ITS VISION is to advance dance as an art form, build community connections and foster tolerance and resp

ect. With performance as an integral part of the process, DU Dance (NI) provides access to innovative contemporary dance workshops and projects across communities, which may often have limited or no dance provision, challenging traditional views of the relevance and value of dance. We have an active youth steering group who help guide the development of the company. Youth Steering Group 2022:

Young Ambassadors:

Anastasia
Rebecca

Group Members:

Amelie
Aoibhe
Archie
Leo
Noah
Oisin
Rory

For more information and to get involved visit www.dudanceni.com and sign up for our newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/duqyhz

Thank you to Rowandale Integrated IPS for being part of this year’s event: Our dance group recently had a fantastic day ...
15/06/2026

Thank you to Rowandale Integrated IPS for being part of this year’s event:

Our dance group recently had a fantastic day at the Du Dance NI Primary School Dance Festival at Belvoir Theatre, Belfast. The pupils enjoyed a memorable experience of rehearsing and performing on a professional stage, as well as watching and supporting the other schools taking part.

The day was filled with fun and creativity, from getting into costume and warming up together to taking part in workshops with professional dancers from Du Dance. The children also enjoyed outdoor play and a creative arts workshop, making it a truly inspiring and enjoyable experience.

The festival was a celebration of dance, creativity and teamwork rather than a competition, with every participant receiving a Certificate of Achievement in recognition of their hard work and commitment. They represented both their school and Clare Novaes Ballet School brilliantly throughout the day.

The group performed their self-titled piece, Seasons of Hope, which explores the planet and the changing seasons choreographed by Rebecca Runchman. The dancers were actively involved in the creative process, contributing some of their own movement ideas to the final choreography.

We are delighted that they will be performing Seasons of Hope once again at their school on Friday 19th June at 7.30pm as part of the CN Youth Ballet Company Fundraiser. We can’t wait to share this special piece with family and friends and celebrate the dancers’ hard work and achievements. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cn-youth-ballet-company-fundraiser-tickets-1990030274120

DU Dance (NI) Clare Novaes Ballet School

Hey! Did you hear? We are bringing our Primary School Dance Festival to Derry / Londonderry for the FIRST TIME!For the p...
28/05/2026

Hey! Did you hear?

We are bringing our Primary School Dance Festival to Derry / Londonderry for the FIRST TIME!

For the past fifteen years, the Primary School Dance Festival has provided hundreds of children aged 5 to 11 years in the Greater Belfast area with the opportunity to celebrate dance in a professional theatre.

This year we are excited to invite four primary schools from the Derry / Londonderry area to participate in the region’s first festival. Next Thursday over one hundred children from St Columba's, St Patrick's, St Eithne's and Model Primary Schools will perform on the stage.

We are also delighted Derry Dance Collective will join as guest company for the event following their fantastic performance at Unanimous 2026 in April.

We can't wait for a morning of sharing, moving, making and play.

Photos to come!



Photo credit:

Let's chat!We are shaping the next exciting phase of the company's journey as Jack Philp takes the lead on our artistic ...
22/05/2026

Let's chat!

We are shaping the next exciting phase of the company's journey as Jack Philp takes the lead on our artistic direction.

Come meet Jack and the DU Dance (NI) team for a relaxed morning of coffee, chat and connection.

🔸Tuesday 16th June
🔸11am - 12pm
🔸Crescent Arts Centre

All welcome!

So we can make sure we've enough mugs at the ready, please RSVP at: https://forms.office.com/e/g9Gip0cB7a

We can't wait to catch up.

This week we are back with our Primary School Dance Festival! We will be welcoming almost 200 children from nine differe...
18/05/2026

This week we are back with our Primary School Dance Festival! We will be welcoming almost 200 children from nine different schools in Greater Belfast.

It is one of our favourite events of the year; two busy, noisy, joyful days of movement, creativity and sharing at Belvoir Studio Theatre. The photos from last year say it all!

The aim of the non-competitive, annual festival is to increase interest in dance within Primary Schools and develop the skills and confidence of teachers by giving them tools at pre-festival workshops they can use to embed dance in their school curriculum.

One teacher said:

"We have loved having Sean work with us over the last two weeks. His sessions are the highlight of the day. Full of fun and great energy! The children have thoroughly enjoyed their practices and it shows in their excitement for the upcoming performance."

On the day, the schools will perform for each other and watch a live solo piece created by professional dance artist and Belfast Boys director Sean O'Neill. There are also art activities, snacks and outdoor games to enjoy.

This June we are excited to bring the festival to the Playhouse Derry in Derry / Londonderry for the first time. Watch this space for more updates.

A huge thank you to the Garfield Weston Foundation for awarding DU Dance (NI) £20,000 in funding.This investment will su...
11/05/2026

A huge thank you to the Garfield Weston Foundation for awarding DU Dance (NI) £20,000 in funding.

This investment will support the continuation and development of our work across communities in Northern Ireland during an important period of transition and growth for the organisation.

We’re incredibly grateful for the support and excited to continue building ambitious dance activity across NI.

(Image from our Suteminis Youth Engagement Programme in Dungannon courtesy of Jim Corr Photography)

Do you know someone aged 7 to 11 who enjoys dance, making new friends and is looking for something fun to do this summer...
29/04/2026

Do you know someone aged 7 to 11 who enjoys dance, making new friends and is looking for something fun to do this summer?

Then check out our Summer Dance Sessions in Dungannon taking place from Monday 27th to Friday 31st July 10am to 1pm.

Meet in The Square Box at the Hill of The O’Neill & Ranfurly House, 26 Market Square, Dungannon.

All welcome and no experience necessary!

Registration fee is just £15.

To book: https://bit.ly/3OvJlH7

Or contact [email protected]

Hear from our new Artistic Director Jack about who has inspired his work and what his plans are for the future of the or...
28/04/2026

Hear from our new Artistic Director Jack about who has inspired his work and what his plans are for the future of the organisation.

Get • The Monthly: Dance edition - April 2026

Monthly at the link in out BIO or...
https://mailchi.mp/capartscentre.com/the-monthly-april-2026-dance

This issue of The Monthly, as promised last issue, we interview Jack Philp. Jack has now taken over the role of the Artistic Director of local community dance organisation, DU Dance. Jack talks about how his career has developed, his work with dance companies internationally and with community dance organisations. He also discusses the artists who have influenced his work and how he hopes to bring all the elements which have allowed him to develop his thoughts on dance to his work at DU Dance.

.dance.ni

Subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/dplGCz


Address

2-4 University Road
Belfast
BT71NH

Telephone

+442890230877

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