A PAIR of local dancers are set to take to the stage after graduating to professional performers.

Kate Pilbeam, 23 from Darlington, will join post-graduate performance company Verve, based at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds.

While Cora Jay Williams, 21, from Hartlepool is set to join Lo-Guidice Dance, an international touring contemporary dance company based in the North-East.

The duo both qualified for the next stage of their career through a partnership between Dance City and Gateshead College which saw them receive a degree in professional dance.

The course was designed to enable people passionate about dance to be able to work around the world while some graduates have decided to continue their education and signed up for postgraduate courses.

Anthony Baker, artistic director of Dance City said: “We are delighted with this incredible outcome, which is a tangible validation of the quality of the teaching and writing of the degree course by Dance City and Gateshead College."

There are two chances for prospective students to find out more about the degree at Open Days on Friday, September 30 and Friday, October 28 at Dance City in Newcastle.

Places are free, but limited, and can be booked online at www.dancecity.co.uk or by phone 0191-261-0505.