Taking place in a supportive, non-competitive environment that encourages learning, the Australian Youth Dance Festival (AYDF) allows young people to engage in creative exchange with professional dancers, choreographers, and their peers.
The following collection of festival experiences highlights the social, cultural and educational value of dance for young people, their teachers and choreographic mentors.
Ausdance National created the Australian Youth Dance Festival. At the time, it was the nation’s first dance-specific festival for youth. Ausdance National devised and produced the first four Festivals held in Darwin NT(1997), Townsville Qld (1999) and Armidale, NSW (2001 and 2004).
The AYDF now travels between states approximately every 2–3 years. The festival retains a core structure and purpose at each location; inherent in this is engagement with the local community that hosts the event.
In 2006, Ausdance Victoria hosted the festival in Horsham, Victoria. In 2009, Ausdance WA present the festival in Mandurah, WA. In 2012, Ausdance NSW hosted the festival in Gosford, NSW. And in 2014, Ausdance SA presented the festival in Renmark, SA.