THE YOUNG COMPANY

Halifax Dance’s Young Company (YoCo) gives gifted pre-professional artists the opportunity to complement their technical training with valuable performance experience. The Company offers dancers the tremendous experience of performing in works created with and for them by some of the best choreographers in the country.   YoCo dancers are featured each year in Symphony Nova Scotia's highly successful annual production of The Nutcracker.  Company alumni are all over the world performing, creating, teaching and shaping the future of our art form. 

Young Company dancers rehearse 3-5+ hours a week, typically on Friday evenings or Sundays, but the schedule will be discussed with the group once selected. Dancers will work with various choreographers of different disciplines to prepare pieces for the spring season show held each May.

AUDITION

We are excited about our upcoming audition for Halifax Dance's The Young Company, led by returning Artistic Director, Kathleen Doherty. The audition will take place on Sunday, September 22nd from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm . Dancers should arrive at 12:00 pm to warm up. Interviews with Artistic Director will run after the audition, 2pm-4pm. YOCO is open to dancers from across HRM ages 13+. The Company offers dancers the tremendous opportunity of performing in works created with and for them by some of the best choreographers in the country.

  • YOCO rehearsals take place January-May in preparation for the Mainstage performance @ Alderney Landing Theatre (May 9 & 10, 2025)

  • YOCO Dancers Choreography Showcase: February 9, 2025

  • Dancers are expected to assist in fundraising activities throughout the season

  • Cost of $515 (+ HD membership)

Registration fee is $25.00. Please register by calling/emailing our front desk staff at 902 422 2006 ext 1 or info@hfxdance.ca.

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ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

KATHLEEN DOHERTY

Kathleen Doherty (she/her) is a dancer, choreographer, and dance educator based in Kjipuktuk/Halifax. After completing her Bachelor of Commerce degree at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Kathleen moved to Calgary to attend Decidedly Jazz Danceworks’ Professional Training Program. Upon returning to Halifax in 2012, Kathleen co-founded Votive Dance, and has worked as Artistic Director since the company’s inception. 

Kathleen has enjoyed creative and performance opportunities with Votive Dance, Live Art Dance, Mocean Dance, Kinetic Studio, Rhythmically Speaking Dance (Minneapolis), FoDAR, Connection Dance Works, Alberta Dance Festival, and The Tyrone Guthrie Centre (Ireland), among others. Her recent projects include “WHODUNIT?” & “BASSline” with Votive Dance.

Kathleen loves to share her passion and knowledge of jazz dance by teaching throughout the city. She is a regular instructor with: The Maritime Conservatory, Halifax Dance, House of Eights, The Dance Institute and Votive Dance, and is a part-time faculty member with The Fountain School of Performing Arts (Dalhousie University). Kathleen is Artistic Director of the Young Company of Halifax Dance, and is proud to be a working artist mom to her 5 year old son, Cillian.