BBC Young Dancer 2017 - first finalist announced

Twenty-one year old Jodelle Douglas from Bristol has been announced as the winner of the Street Dance Final of BBC Young Dancer 2017 and will go on to represent the Category at the Grand Final.

Published: 24 March 2017
I’ve found it an amazing experience to be able to showcase my art with people across the country, but to win the Street Dance Final is the cherry on top!
— Jodelle Douglas

Jodelle, who is now based in Cardiff, will join the other Category Winners, (to be announced over the coming weeks) on stage at Sadler’s Wells in the Grand Final.

Highlights from the Street Dance Final were broadcast on BBC Four this evening (Friday 24 March) and will be available to watch again on BBC iPlayer for 30 days.

The Street Dance Finalists were: Harry Barnes, 19 (Wirral), Jodelle Douglas, 21 (Bristol), Darren Hamilton, 21 (Glasgow), Tom Hughes Lloyd, 18 (Wrexham) and Kate Morris, 17 (Maesteg).

All five category finalists performed three works - two solos and a duet - in front of a panel of judges made up of leading experts from the dance sector. The judges were; choreographer, dancer, curator and Artistic Director of Avant Garde Dance - Tony Adigun; dancer, co-founder of Septième SenS and house dance teacher - Clara Bajado; and award-winning choreographer - Shobana Jeyasingh, who will act as chair of the judging panel across the four category finals.

In the run up to the Street Dance Final, the five category finalists had the opportunity to take part in workshops with two mentors; Hip Hop DJ and dancer - DJ Renegade, and dancer, actor and choreographer - Rhimes Lecointe.

Jodelle Douglas, winner of the Street Dance Final says: “Woah, BBC Young Dancer Grand Final... I’ve found it an amazing experience to be able to showcase my art with people across the country, but to win the Street Dance Final is the cherry on top! It has been a journey. Now I’m going to be performing solo, on stage, at Sadler Wells - something which has always been on my list to achieve - it's mind blowing! BBC Young Dancer has been amazing on and off stage. I've learnt a lot in this process and the things I’ve learnt will help me to continue my ongoing artistic movement and brand The ArtWithin.”

Jodelle will join the winners from Ballet, Contemporary and South Asian Dance in the Grand Final at Sadler’s Wells. The four category winners, and up to two wild cards, will perform in front of a panel of some of the most distinguished figures from UK dance; Marc Brew, Artistic Director, Marc Brew Company, Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet, Kate Prince, Artistic Director of ZooNation Dance Company, Nahid Siddiqui, Dancer and Choreographer, Kenneth Tharp, choreographer, director and former Chief Executive of The Place, and Jasmin Vardimon, Artistic Director of Jasmin Vardimon Company.

The Grand Final of BBC Young Dancer 2017 will be broadcast live on BBC Two on Saturday 22 April.

BBC Young Dancer is managed and produced by BBC Cymru Wales. The Series Editor is Paul Bullock and the Commissioning Editor Jan Younghusband (Head of Commissions, Music and Events TV) Editor of BBC Two, Patrick Holland and Editor of BBC Four, Cassian Harrison.

KH3

Jodelle Douglas biography

Jodelle Douglas grew up in Bristol, where he began developing his love and passion for dance. For four years he studied at Swindon Dance Academy, where he further developed his understanding of the history of dance and the foundations of a variety of genres. He is now based in Cardiff, and working closely with Jukebox Collective. Jodelle is known in the dance community for battling, performing and sharing his passion at events worldwide. Jodelle has established The ArtWithin, a culmination of his inspiration from abnormal elements, encouraging others to see and express the art within the unordinary. Jodelle is constantly working towards building upon The ArtWithin being recognised worldwide as an expressive artistic movement. Jodelle reached the category finals of BBC Young dancer 2015, however, did not make it through to the Grand Final.

TV broadcast information

  • Friday 24 March, BBC Four - Street Dance Final
  • Friday 31 March, BBC Four - Ballet Final
  • Friday 7 April, BBC Four - South Asian Final
  • Friday 14 April, BBC Four - Contemporary Final
  • Saturday 22 April, BBC Two - Grand Final (live)

Tagged: