Young people to participate in London’s biggest dance show for secondary school students

Hundreds of secondary school students and youth groups from across Greater London will take part in Step Live 2026 on Thursday 2 July, one of the biggest annual dance events specifically for secondary school students in the UK. Step Live is the annual event run by Step into Dance, a youth programme run in partnership between Royal Academy of Dance and Jack Petchey Foundation.

At a time where young people are facing increasing pressures on their mental health, Step into Dance provides an opportunity for young people to develop their confidence through dance and learn other transferable skills such as focus, creativity and teamwork.

At Step Live 2026, young people will take to the Cadogan Hall stage to perform a variety of dynamic dance routines that they have learnt on the Step into Dance programme. Step Live 2026 will feature schools from a wide range of London boroughs including Camden, Bromley, Sutton, Greenwich, Southwark, Croydon, Wandsworth, Saffron Walden, Lambeth, Haringey andBarnet. RAD’s youth company SYNC will also be performing a hip hop theatre piece by Bethan Siddaway (who is a Step into Dance practitioner) called 'Murmuration'.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Step into Dance supports the development of dance for young people, reaching those from backgrounds that might not otherwise connect with dance. With one third of UK schools not teaching dance even though dance is part of the specified national curriculum, Step into Dance programme fulfils a huge need for a dance provision. 

Alexander Campbell, Artistic Director of Royal Academy of Dance says: "Step Live 2026 is our annual celebration of dance's transformative impact on UK secondary school students. Through this partnership with the Jack Petchey Foundation, Step Live gives hundreds of talented young people from mainstream and SEND schools the platform to showcase the brilliant skills that they've learnt on the Step into Dance programme. It will be an energetic and uplifting event - one that is bound to leave you smiling. We can't wait to see you there!" 

Gemma Juma, Chief Executive Officer of the Jack Petchey Foundation says: “The Jack Petchey Foundation is proud to partner with the Royal Academy of Dance once again for Step Live 2026. Dance is a powerful tool for personal growth, helping young people to build confidence, wellbeing, and skills that extend far beyond the stage – something that mattered deeply to our founder, Sir Jack Petchey CBE. Through Step Live, participants access a platform on which they can shine, express themselves and get the recognition they deserve. I am always inspired by the energy and passion the young performers bring, and it is a privilege to support them on this journey. As we celebrate 20 years of the Foundation’s (well-choreographed) partnership with RAD, Step Live is the perfect way to mark this important milestone.”

For more information and to book visit: https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/event/step-live/