YFX 2025: A festival for young dance Join the Movement
21 – 24 July 2025
This summer, Sadler’s Wells is yours.
YFX is a brand-new two-week festival celebrating young dancers, makers and movers from across the UK.
With performances, workshops and talks at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in Angel and Sadler’s Wells East in Stratford, YFX brings together youth companies, new choreographers, and community groups for an electrifying takeover.
Whether you’re experienced or just starting out, step into our studios, hit The Dance Floor, and be part of something big.
This year, YFX also hosts the U.Dance National Festival, in partnership with One Dance UK.
Your stage. Your moment. Let’s move.
All workshops take place at Sadler’s Wells East in Stratford, please meet in the foyer. Find out more information on visiting Sadler’s Wells East.
Header image © Jack Thomson
Monday 21 July
Popping - Max Revell
Monday 21 July, 10 am – 11:30 am
Free
For ages 11 to 24 years old
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Join us for a workshop focusing on the fundamentals of popping, combining technique and freestyle in a supportive, explorative setting.
After a guided warm-up, you will work through foundational drills to build control, precision, and rhythm. The session will then open up into freestyle-based exercises, encouraging you to play with the techniques you’ve learned and begin shaping them into your own movement language.
Please wear sneakers and comfortable clothes
In conversation with:
Bia Olivera, Director of Digital Stage & Studio
Monday 21 July, 12 pm – 1 pm
Free
For ages 11 to 24 years old
In this session, Bia will take you through Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage & Studio – what it is, who it’s for, and how digital dance projects come to life. She’ll share insights into our programming, audience engagement, and commissioning process, before wrapping up with a practical introduction to creating your own dance film for the screen.
Tuesday 22 July
Mindful Kathak Movement - Vidya Patel
Tuesday 22 July, 10 am – 11:30 am
Free
For ages 11 to 24 years old
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Dive into a guided exploration of the body with Vidya’s unique practice blending the fundamentals of Indian classical dance form Kathak and natural movement influenced by yoga, nature and imagery.
Together you’ll learn phrases and sequences to find flow within known elements experienced through the workshop.
Please wear comfortable clothes you can move in
In conversation with:
Valentina Vela, Senior Producer, Artistic Development & Programming
Artist Development & Opportunities
Tuesday 22 July, 12 pm – 1 pm
Free
For ages 11 to 24 years old
Valentina will provide an overview of Sadler’s Wells’ Artist Development Programmes, including how artists can access support through funding, commissions, and other opportunities. She’ll offer practical advice on application processes and is happy to discuss how to effectively present your work, write about your practice, and identify the right opportunities for your artistic development.
Wednesday 23 July
Tools for Translation - Maiya Leeke
Wednesday 23 July, 10 am – 11:30 am
Free
For ages 11 to 24 years old
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Join Young Associate Maiya Leeke for a workshop filled with curiosity and fun. This is a chance for you to explore how movement translation can support your dance practice to grow. Together, you’ll debunk myths around who translation may be for whilst discovering new ways to think and to move.
Please wear comfortable clothes you can move in
In conversation with:
Edie Culshaw, Head of Trusts
Funding Your Work
Wednesday 23 July, 12 pm – 1 pm
Free
For ages 11 to 24 years old
Edie will share practical insights on how to access funding, with a focus on writing clear and compelling applications.
Thursday 24 July
Storytelling through movement - Folu Odimayo
Thursday 24 July, 10 am – 11:30 am
Free
For ages 11 to 24 years old
Join Folu for a workshop rooted in the ideas of storytelling and physical transformation.
You’ll investigate how to find articulation within the body to allow it to shapeshift and transform, whilst using your imagination to interact with the landscapes around you.
Together, you’ll tap into Folu’s interest in the idea of scales of expression to inform movement and physicality, as well as how you may shift and abstract emotions into different formats or parts of the body.
Please wear comfortable clothes you can move in
In conversation with:
Martin Hargreaves, Head of Rose Choreographic School
What Do We Mean by Choreographic?
Thursday 24 July, 12 pm – 1 pm
Free
For ages 11 to 24 years old
What does the word choreographic really mean? This talk explores how it applies not only to dance-making, but to broader ideas around movement, space, and time. We’ll look at historical and contemporary approaches, and how the Rose Choreographic School uses this question to shape learning and collaboration.
NYDC Experience Workshop - with National Youth Dance Company
Free
For ages 11 to 24 years old
Curious about what it’s like to be part of the National Youth Dance Company? NYDC Experience Workshops are a chance to step into that world.
Led by NYDC team members and guest artists, these free workshops offer a taste of the company’s innovative and collaborative approach to dance. Open to dancers of all backgrounds, styles, and experience levels—including disabled and non-disabled participants—each session is designed to be inclusive, inspiring, and energising.
Discover what makes NYDC a unique place to grow as an artist, connect with others, and push the boundaries of what dance can be.
Please wear comfortable clothes you can move in
Workshop Guidelines & Level Info
To make sure everyone gets the most out of the experience, please review the following before registering:
No Observers
All workshops are participation only. Observing without dancing is not permitted – come ready to move!
Age Requirement
Participants must be 11 years or older. No exceptions.
No Beginner Classes
These workshops are designed for dancers with experience. A minimum of 2 years of consistent training, classes, or battle/performance experience is required.
Level Descriptions
To help you choose the right class for your skill level:
General Level: Open to a wide range of dancers with at least 2 years of experience. Instructors may adapt exercises, but a solid foundation is expected. Not for beginners.
Intermediate: For dancers with 3+ years of experience, comfortable with technique, terminology, and freestyle. Classes will move at a faster pace with deeper focus on execution, musicality, and concept development.
Intermediate/Advanced: Designed for dancers with extensive training and battle/performance experience. These sessions push creative boundaries, refine control, and demand strong technical understanding. Expect to be challenged physically and mentally.