From LCDS student to Hofesh Shechter Company: Holly Brennan returns to The Place

This summer, The Place welcomed back alum Holly Brennan, who returned to work with our Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) students, teaching them Hofesh Shechter repertoire in preparation for their final summer showcase. The National Dance CAT scheme provides exceptional pre-vocational training for talented young dancers aged 11–18, creating pathways into higher education and the professional dance sector.

For Holly, who began her journey in youth dance in the North West, it's a full-circle moment. Her own path started as a CAT student at The Lowry. She then gained a place in England’s flagship National Youth Dance Company (2016-2018) where she danced in work by Damien Jalet and Sharon Eyal, before she joined London Contemporary Dance School here at The Place on the BA Contemporary dance programme. In her final year at LCDS, she performed Hofesh Shechter's THE BAD – an early experience of the choreographer's distinctive movement language that would prove pivotal in her career.

Since graduating, Holly has built an impressive international career. She toured with VERVE, Northern School of Contemporary Dance's postgraduate company, performing works by Akram Khan, Sita Ostheimer and Alessandra Seutin, before joining Musiktheater im Revier (MiR) in Germany. In 2024, she was selected for Shechter II, Hofesh Shechter Company's apprentice company, touring From England with Love in 92 performances across seven countries, compelling the Telegraph’s Chief Dance critic to state “Holly Brennan (…) is one of the most thrilling exponents of the Shechter style I have seen in 17 years covering his work.”

This year, Holly became Rehearsal Assistant for Shechter II and has recently been announced as a new member of the main Hofesh Shechter Company, where she is currently creating new work ahead of the company's next touring production.

Her return to The Place offers CAT students a powerful example of where dedication, opportunity and high-quality training can lead. It also reflects the strength of the pathways that connect youth dance, specialist training and the professional sector, with artists returning to share their knowledge and experience with the next generation.

The National Dance Centres for Advanced Training (CATs) is the only scheme of its kind, delivering pre-vocational dance training to 11-18 year olds in ten regional centres across England - from Newcastle to Nottingham and Ipswich to Salford. The scheme provides means-tested bursaries funded through the Department of Education, to ensure every young person with potential has access to world-leading training, alongside mainstream education.

Find out more about CAT at The Place here.