DU Dance NI brings major Primary School Dance Festival to Derry
Supported by the Arts Council, the inaugural event features local primary pupils alongside guest performances from the Derry Dance Collective.
For the past fifteen years, the Primary School Dance Festival has provided hundreds of children aged 5 to 11 years in the Greater Belfast area with the opportunity to celebrate dance in a professional theatre.
Delivered by DU Dance (NI), the non-competitive, annual festival aims to increase interest and participation in dance within Primary Schools and develop the skills and confidence of teachers by giving them the tools needed to include dance in their school curriculum.
This June, DU Dance (NI) is excited to invite four primary schools from the Derry area to participate in the region’s first festival. Over one hundred children from St Columba's, St Patrick's, St Eithne's and Model Primary Schools will perform on the stage at The Playhouse - one of the most vibrant theatre and arts organisations in Northern Ireland.
In the belief that most attitudes to life are established in childhood, the festival brings controlled and maintained schools together to perform for each other, watch a live dance performance by a guest artists Ayesha Mailey and Zoe Ramsey, and take part in creative arts and craft activities. For many children this festival will be their first opportunity to experience working in a theatre, with professional lights, sound and effects.
Jack Philp, Artistic Director, DU Dance (NI) said: "I’m thrilled to bring our long-established Primary School Dance Festival to Derry/Londonderry for the first time. These events are a really important part of what we do, bringing young people together, giving them a platform to perform, and celebrating dance at that early stage.”
We are also delighted Derry Dance Collective will join as guest company for the event. Their inaugural performance at DU Dance (NI)’s youth dance platform Unanimous 2026 in April embedded the company within the wider dance community.
Cara Wilson-Hegarty, Teacher/Choreographer and Studio Owner of Derry Dance Collective said: “We’re delighted to be part of an event that celebrates young people through dance. It’s a brilliant opportunity for our secondary school dancers to inspire the next generation and share their love of movement with primary pupils across Derry. It’s incredibly important for the people of the city to see dance celebrated on a large scale. Events like this give pupils the chance to connect, express themselves and feel inspired.”
The Primary School Dance Festival will take place at The Playhouse, 5-7 Artillery Street, Derry BT48 6RG on Thursday 4th June 2026.
DU Dance (NI)’s principal funding is provided by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council.