Celebrating 40 Years of the University of Edinburgh Dance Performance

Over the years the showcase has grown into a vibrant and diverse celebration of dance, bringing together students from across the university to share their passion and creativity.

For all 40 years, the event has been under the dedicated leadership of June Underwood, who has been the driving force behind its growth and success. Reflecting on this journey, June shared:

"It has been such a joy to direct the Edinburgh University Dance Performance for 40 years."

A dancer and choreographer herself, June has played a pivotal role in shaping the showcase. She looked back on the early days, saying:

"In the early years of the show, I danced and choreographed with both the Pleasance Dancers – the company I founded at Sport & Exercise – and with our regular guests, Khoros Dance Theatre, a company I was a member of for many years. Our first show at the Bedlam Theatre only involved The Pleasance Dancers and the New Scotland Dance Society, but it steadily grew as more dance styles emerged as societies. Our 40th showcase now features 17 dance groups and over 20 styles of dance!"

"From the outset, our annual showcase has been an opportunity for dance societies to perform and to choreograph. It is always an uplifting, joyous, colourful, passionate, diverse and inclusive performance by our incredibly talented dancers, across all styles of dance at the University of Edinburgh."

As June steps down from her role after four decades of dedication, this year's performance was a fitting tribute to her remarkable tenure. 

With sold out performances on both Friday and Saturday night the show featured 17 dance groups and over 200 dancers.