OXFORD YOUTH DANCE

Oxford Youth Dance believes that dance is for everybody and celebrates young people’s individuality, creativity and love of dance. OYD are proudly inclusive and work in a nurturing and non-competitive way. We warmly welcome dancers from all cultures, backgrounds and disabilities. We are proudly neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ friendly!

OYD was founded back in 1986 by Cecilia MacFarlane and has continued sharing joyful dance throughout the decades. Elly Crowther took over as director in 2018 dancing with her own children who come to classes most weeks.

Class One is our family class for under 5s and their parents/carers/siblings. We dance to a theme item using props to play with and explore through movement as well as lifts, swings, galloping, skipping and creating beautiful stories and dances. Helped by our wonderful teenaged Helpers you will always leave with a smile on your face!

Class Two work without parents (although parents are welcome to watch and join if needed). Children start to learn slightly more difficult technique and improvisation, working on solo, duet and group work and making their own dances with the Helpers. Lots of fun music and props are used and we also work with the same theme as Class One.

Catapults is our youth group for 8-11 year olds. We do more technical skill work and learn contemporary dance phrases, big jumps and travelling as well as working on contact improvisation and other improv techniques. A fun supportive group for pre-teens.

Slipstream is our Youth Company for 11-18+. We love improvising and making complex pieces including issue based work. We are also very playful and love using props, scores and a wide variety of music.

OYD performs as often as we can at platforms and sharings and theatres such as Pegasus Theatre and Arts at the Old Fire Station. We also love Site Specific performances and have performed all over Oxford including Oxford Castle, Headington Hill park, Florence Park, City Centre, West Gate, Bonn Square & more!

Class One: Family Dance is for Under 5s and their parents/Carers/Siblings/Family (all-in-one price!) and is a playful class using themes, props, music and storytelling alongside our super talented teenage Helpers!
Feel free to contact Elly for more information. We pride ourselves on being a friendly inclusive space and purposefully avoid rigid over-disciplined dance styles as we know those classes don't work for everyone. We just love to share Dance with one another whilst having fun and keeping fit!