RJC Dance

Based at the Mandela Centre, Chapeltown, Leeds, RJC Dance is the leading inclusive Black dance organisation in the North: empowering children, young people and adults through dance, movement and exercise. With youth development and education at the heart of its work, it works  in partnership with national organisations to develop the diversity of Black British dance as a valued art form.

From hosting weekly community dance classes to youth theatre sessions, as well as free holiday activity dance camps, RJC Dance supports its community by offering everyone, young and old the chance to dance, achieve, keep moving, and find joy, as part of their commitment to fostering wellbeing, health, creativity, and active participation, the dance company offers a range of community dance and dance in education initiatives. 

There’s something on offer here for everyone no matter their age. RJC Dance hosts weekly community ‘sizzler’ dance classes with a variety of different styles from Soca, Reggae and a bit of Streetemporary for adults. In additon to this, their ‘Youth Provision’ sessions offer a wide range of dance sessions for young people aged four and upwards. 

RJC Dance Youth Provision ‘Shahck Out’ sessions for are for young people aged 4-19, taking place across the week, including a dedicated boys-only group. RJC Dance combines dance training, choreography, rehearsal sessions and dance performance, with an integrated social personal development programme designed to help young people flourish and be the best the can be.

RJC Dance also hosts weekly Youth Theatre sessions for 9-12 year olds in partnership with Leeds Playhouse. These focus on building confidence, performance skills, and developing an understanding of theatre. Young people in the group develop experience devising their own plays and take regular trips to the Leeds Playhouse to see live performances in Leeds as part of these sessions. 

During the holidays, there are also free activity dance camps funded by the Inner North Community Committee, focusing on how to unlock potential, creativity and style through dance, rather than pure perfection of technique. 

An empowering organisation that supports and develops the Black British choreographic language and dancers through professional development, performance activity and accredited programmes of work, RJC Dance is an asset to Leeds and the community it serves.