19 young dancers. Four youth companies. One extraordinary opportunity to imagine a brighter future together.
Beautiful Future – Cross-Regional Youth Exchange brought together young dancers from across the country to connect, share their creativity and explore the future through movement.
Over four days at De Montfort University, 19 young people from Linden Youth, CAPA College CHARGE, York Youth Dance and Chambers Dance Creatives took part in workshops, shared different dance approaches, joined careers conversations and collaborated with guest choreographer Monique Jonas to create an original performance.
Inspired by Linden’s wider Beautiful Future project and Rob Hopkins’ How to Fall in Love with the Future, the exchange explored hope, joy and collective imagination as powerful responses to the challenges facing young people and the world around them. The new piece premiered at CAPA College’s Amplify Festival in June 2026.
More than a chance to perform, the exchange created space for new friendships, growing confidence, shared learning and a sense of belonging to a wider national dance community. Linden hopes to build on this pilot to create more opportunities for young dancers to connect across regions.
Documentary film: Studio Bokehgo. Guest Choreographer: Monique Jonas. Creative Producer: João Maio.
Supported by Arts Council England, Pavilion Dance South West, South East Dance, Shawbrook Residential, One Dance UK and De Montfort University.
