Two big stages, one big week for Chameleon Youth Juniors

Chameleon Youth Juniors are set to collaborate with the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) on its community opera, The Water Mark, ahead of taking part in U.Dance this weekend in Glasgow. 

Working with composer and conductor Kate Pearson and director Jonathan Ainscough, RNCM’s 50-strong Community Chorus has written a brand-new opera to perform alongside students and local community organisations. 

Chameleon Youth Juniors have been invited to collaborate on the production which is a tale of loss, magic, and the destructive power of nature and human relationships, inspired by the history of Manchester’s lost waterways.

We talked to Beth Payton, Learning & Participation Manager to find out what to expect.

Q1) What are Chameleon Youth doing at the RNCM?

Chameleon Youth Juniors have been invited to collaborate on The Water Mark Community Opera, produced by RNCM. Last night they performed alongside other community groups at the RNCM and will perform again this evening, contributing interpretive and expressive movement to support the storytelling of the singers and musicians.

Q2) What has the preparation involved?

The dancers have spent the summer term creating and exploring themes around water, to convey the river within the story at varying water levels. Responding closely to the music, they’ve worked together to create a striking visual for the audience.

Q3) Why does Company Chameleon value collaborations like this?

Collaborations like this offer our young people real industry experience of collaborating with professional artists, working and performing in a professional theatre, and the opportunity to be part of a cross-art form production.

Q4) How will the opportunity help them develop as young dance artists?

This experience of working with a cross-art-form team of community and professional artists widens the scope of possibility for our young people. They can begin to imagine what careers in the arts may look and feel like for them in the future. It’s also a rare and wonderful experience for young people to perform to live music, which will undoubtedly elevate their connection to dance.

Q5) What else can you tell us about the project?

We’re extremely proud to have been invited to be part of this special project. The final performance is tonight at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 and available HERE.

U.Dance National Festival

Across the weekend of 4 and 5 July, our dancers will then head to Glasgow to take part in the largest event of its kind, the U.Dance National Festival.