Jan McNulty

I saw Houston Ballet when they performed at the Edinburgh Festival in the late 1980s including seeing Li Cunxin as Siegfried in Swan Lake!

Hello @DancersMum24 and welcome to the Forum!

Hello @abbyleemiller777 and welcome to the Forum!

When Desmond Kelly was Deputy AD at Birmingham Royal Ballet the Balanchine Trust entrusted him with the works performed by BRB.

He could well have some input for casting with the Royal Ballet but I would guess it would depend on the terms and conditions of the contract in place to perform the work. There are companies other than the Royal Ballet.

Hello @Jellybean and welcome to the Forum!

Hello @DaintyBallerinaMum and welcome to the Forum!

Is some of it down to the rights-holders of the ballets? I've heard in the past of, for example, the Balanchine Trust yaying or naying dancers. For Northern Ballet's current revival of Romeo and Juliet, choreographer Massimo Moricone chose the leading dancers in the casts.

Hello @NorthernDanceMum and welcome to the Forum!

PRESS RELEASE 03/05/24 Queen Camilla the new Patron of the Royal Academy of Dance Image of Queen Camilla at the Royal Academy of Dance’s new HQ opening in March 2022. Queen Camilla is the RAD’s third Royal Patron The Queen served as Vice-Patron alongside the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was Patron until her passing in 2022 Queen Camilla is a supporter of RAD’s Silver Swans dance programme for older learners. Today the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) welcomes Queen Camilla as its new Patron. Queen Camilla has been Vice-Patron of the RAD – one of the world’s leading dance education and training organisations – since 2020, serving alongside the late Queen Elizabeth II who was Patron of the organisation from 1953 until her passing in 2022. As Vice-Patron of the RAD, Queen Camilla has performed numerous duties; formally opening the RAD’s HQ in 2022 and awarding the RAD’s Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award to ballet star Mikhail Baryshnikov at a special presentation at Buckingham Palace the same year. Over the years, Queen Camilla has been a supporter of RAD’s Silver Swans dance programme, a programme designed and developed for learners over the age of 55 with an interest in dance. In her new role as patron, Queen Camilla will continue to serve as an inspiring figure and supporter of the RAD and wider world of dance. Tim Arthur Chief Executive of the RAD says, “On behalf of the RAD, I am truly delighted that Queen Camilla is our new Patron. Previously our Vice-Patron, Queen Camilla has been so supportive of our organisation, championing our programmes including Silver Swans, which is designed to encourage older people to dance. The RAD has a long, positive history and relationship with The Royal Family. It was the late Queen Elizabeth II’s grandmother, Queen Mary, who was interested in dance – ballet in particular. With an approach from our Founding President Dame Adeline Genée, Queen Mary became our First Royal Patron in 1928. We are truly thankful for The Royal Family’s ongoing patronage of our organisation and look forward to welcoming Queen Camilla as our official Patron.” Darcey Bussell President of the RAD says, “This is just wonderful news. HM Queen Camilla has been such an engaged supporter of the RAD for many years. Her patronage will make such a difference to the members of the RAD and she will help encourage all generations to benefit from the many attributes dance.” The RAD started life in 1920 as the Association of Teachers of Operatic Dancing in Great Britain. It was born out of a meeting of leading dance professionals arranged by Philip Richardson, former editor of the Dancing Times. With Dame Adeline Genée chosen from among her peers as its first President, the Association launched its first syllabus in the same year and held its first exams in 1921. Queen Mary became the Association’s first patron in 1928 and in 1936 it became the Royal Academy of Dancing (RAD) after receiving its Royal Charter from King George V. The following year, the RAD was awarded its coat of arms by the College of Arms. Fast forward to present day, the RAD is an international, world-leading dance and training organisation where around 250,000 students across the world take RAD exams every year. The RAD has a strong global membership in 85 countries and has offices in 36 countries around the world, with its HQ in London. Notes to Editors About the Royal Academy of Dance Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is one of the most influential dance education and training organisations in the world with a strong global membership in 85 countries. Established in 1920 to improve standards and re-invigorate dance training, the Academy helps and encourages its teachers to perfect their teaching skills and pass on this knowledge to their students. There are currently over 1,000 students in full-time or part-time teacher training programmes with the Academy and each year the examination syllabus is taught to thousands of young people worldwide, with around a quarter of a million pupils per year going on to take RAD exams.

Thanks @JohnS. The attached grid, very depressingly, does work.

I saw three performances in Nottingham this week - Wednesday evening and both performances on Thursday - with 3 casts Saeka/Harris, Sarah/Kevin & Dominique/Joseph. All 3 performances were spectacularly wonderful and all three casts have grown even more into their roles since Leeds. In act 3, when Dominique was the nurse, I loved her obvious shock when Lord C started shouting at Juliet to come down from the balcony. I finally got to see Joe as Tybalt and just loved his understated menace. George Liang and Harry Skoupas are also wonderful as Tybalt with Harry being an out and out thug. I had been hoping to see Abby Prudames as Juliet but I have still managed to miss her. I did see her as a wonderfully icy Lady C and am so glad I did. One or two people have mentioned about which cast to go for. All I can say is go for them all!! If you can only make one or 2, pull the names from a hat!

English National Ballet Emerging Dancer 2024 Sadler’s Wells, London Friday 24 May, 7.30pm www.ballet.org.uk/ emerging-dancer-2024 Photo caption: The 2024 Emerging Dancer finalists © Laurent Liotardo Emerging Dancer returns to a live audience at Sadler’s Wells, London on Friday 24 May. Six of English National Ballet’s most promising dancers, selected by their peers, showcase their talent in front of an eminent panel of expert judges, before one is presented with the Emerging Dancer Award. This year’s finalists, mentored by their peers, will each perform a classical pas de deux and a contemporary duet in their pairings. Anna-Babette Winkler and Jose María Lorca Menchón will perform an excerpt from La Bayadère, Breanna Foad and Thiago Pereira will perform the Venetian Carnival duet from Satanella, and Anna Ciriano and Shunhei Fuchiyama will perform the Grand Pas de Deux from Don Quixote. The Company’s creative talent is also eminent in the contemporary section. Rentaro Nakaaki, himself a previous Emerging Dancer finalist, is choreographing a new work, Moya, for Anna Ciriano and Shunhei Fuchiyama, with original music composed by fellow Company member, Fabian Reimair. Breanna Foad and Thiago Pereira will perform a new work by London-based Taiwanese choreographer Ching-Ying Chien. Chien said: “This new duet is inspired by the imagery of Penrose stairs, an impossible object where the staircase always comes back to the starting point. In our current human society, we often believe we're moving somewhere, yet we end up stuck in a loop. I've been exploring this idea with Breanna and Thiago through movement that creates a dream/nightmare feeling among reality”. Celebrating English National Ballet’s contemporary repertoire, Anna-Babette Winkler and Jose María Lorca Menchón will perform Dust by Akram Khan. On coaching the pair, First Soloist James Streeter said: “Although it feels like yesterday, it has been ten years since I first performed Akram Khan’s Dust, a piece that means so much to us and we hold very close to our hearts. It is such an honour and a privilege to work alongside Erina Takahashi and Mavin Khoo as we see Anna-Babette and Jose dive deeper into this powerful work. It has been so wonderful to support them as they travel on their journey, and I feel very great full to be able to share this experience with them." Emerging Dancer 2024 will be hosted by Aaron S. Watkin, Artistic Director of English National Ballet. This year’s esteemed judging panel comprises: Amanda Britton MA, Chief Executive, Principal and Artistic Director of Rambert School; Monica Zamora, Former Principal Dancer of Birmingham Royal Ballet; Edward Watson MBE, Former Principal Dancer of The Royal Ballet; and Isabela Coracy*, Senior Artist of Ballet Black. The recipients of the People’s Choice Award, as voted for by audiences throughout the Season, and the Corps de Ballet Award, which acknowledges the work on and off-stage of an Artist of the Company, will also be announced. There will be special performances by 2022 Emerging Dancer winner Eric Snyder and People’s Choice winner Precious Adams. English National Ballet Philharmonic will perform live, conducted by Principal Guest Conductor Gavin Sutherland. Emerging Dancer 2024 will be filmed and made available to stream for free on English National Ballet’s YouTube channel from Thursday 30 May, for a limited time of 30 days. Emerging Dancer 2024 is supported by CHANEL. The People’s Choice Award is supported by Alexis and Frances Prenn. *Replacing Freddie Opoku-Addaie, Artistic Director and CEO of Dance Umbrella. Notes to Editors English National Ballet is a National Portfolio Organisation supported by Arts Council England. Ballymore is Principal Building Partner of English National Ballet. Listings: English National Ballet Emerging Dancer 2024 Sadler’s Wells, London Friday 24 May, 7.30pm www.ballet.org.uk/emerging-dancer-2024 Further information about the Emerging Dancer 2024 finalists: Anna-Babette Winkler Anna-Babette Winkler joined English National Ballet as an Artist of the Company in 2018, following training at English National Ballet School, and performing with Birmingham Royal Ballet. Since joining the Company, notable roles include Lead Winter in Christopher Wheeldon’s Cinderella in-the-round at the Royal Albert Hall, Lead Snowflake in Wayne Eagling’s Nutcracker, Moyna in Mary Skeaping’s Giselle, and a featured role in Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s Laid in Earth. Anna Ciriano Anna Ciriano joined the Company in 2022. Anna stared her training at Institut del Teatre in her home city of Barcelona, and after graduating from English National Ballet School in 2017, she performed with Orlando Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet. Since joining English National Ballet Anna has danced Spanish in Wayne Eagling’s Nutcracker and appeared in Akram Khan’s Giselle, Tamara Rojo’s Raymonda and Derek Deane’s Swan Lake. Breanna Foad Breanna Foad joined ENB in 2018, following training at the Australian Ballet School and English National Ballet School. Breanna performed the leading role of Chosen One in Mats Ek’s The Rite of Spring as part of Ek/Forsythe/Quagebeur at Sadler’s Wells in 2022. She went on to dance the role of Chosen One in the world premiere of Andrea Miller’s Les Noces: Ascent to Days, as part of Our Voices at Sadler’s Wells, in September 2023. Jose María Lorca Menchón Jose María Lorca Menchón joined ENB in 2022. He trained at Conservatorio Professional de Danza de Murcia, Spain, and English National Ballet School, where he had the role of the Prince created on him for My First Ballet: Cinderella (2020). Jose’s repertoire with ENB includes Wayne Eagling’s Nutcracker, Tamara Rojo’s Raymonda, and William Forsythe’s Playlist (EP), David Dawson’s Four Last Songs and Stina Quagebeur’s Take Five Blues. Shunhei Fuchiyama Shunhei Fuchiyama started dancing at the age of five, training at the Acri-Horimoto Ballet Academy and The Harid Conservatory, before joining English National Ballet in 2021, the same year that he was awarded with the 5th prize in the Prix de Lausanne, and the 1st prize Classical in NBA National ballet competition. Since joining English National Ballet, Shunhei’s notable roles include Freddie and Cossack in Wayne Eagling’s Nutcracker and peasant pas de deux in Mary Skeaping’s Giselle. Thiago Pereira Thiago Pereira, from Minas Gerais, Brazil, joined English National Ballet as Artist of the Company in 2022, following his training in Vórtice escola de danças and Académie de danse Princesse Grace. Since joining the Company, Thiago has appeared in Akram Khan’s Giselle, Tamara Rojo’s Raymonda, Derek Dean’s Swan Lake, and Balanchine’s Theme and Variations as part of Our Voices at Sadler’s Wells in 2023. About English National Ballet English National Ballet has a long and distinguished history. Founded in 1950 as London Festival Ballet by the great English dancers Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin, it has been at the forefront of ballet’s growth and evolution ever since. English National Ballet brings world class ballet to the widest possible audience through performances across the UK and on eminent international stages; its distinguished orchestra, English National Ballet Philharmonic; its digital platforms Ballet on Demand and BalletActive; being a UK leader in creative learning and engagement practice, building innovative partnerships to deliver flagship programmes such as Dance for Parkinson’s; and through talent development initiatives including Ballet Futures which looks to create a more diverse and inclusive future for the artform. English National Ballet continues to add ground-breaking new works to its repertoire whilst celebrating the tradition of great classical ballet, gaining acclaim for artistic excellence and creativity. 2019 saw the Company enter a new chapter in its history with a move to a purpose-built state-of-the-art home in east London, allowing a renewed commitment to creativity, ambition, and connection to more people, near and far, than ever before.

Flamenco Festival London 2024 Sadler’s Wells Theatre & Lilian Baylis Studio Tuesday 4 – Saturday 15 June Tickets £12 - £75 Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com Sadler’s Wells announces full programme for Flamenco Festival 2024 The Flamenco Festival returns to Sadler’s Wells this summer for its 19th edition from Tuesday 4 – Saturday 15 June. This year’s festival features ten UK premieres and thrilling performances from flamenco luminaries, with a varied programme of dance performances and concerts across Sadler's Wells Theatre and the Lilian Baylis Studio. Rocío Molina opens the Flamenco Festival 2024 with her trademark subversion of flamenco traditions in Al Fondo Riela on Tuesday 4 June. Using the original flamenco trio of dance, song and guitar, Al Fondo Riela is a piece about reflection and the loss of reality. On stage, she is accompanied by two contrasting guitarists, Oscar Lago with his traditional, technical skill, and Yerai Cortés with his innovative flair. Molina returns after her appearance at the Flamenco Festival in 2019, the same year she won the Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for outstanding female performance in Caída del Cielo (Fallen from Heaven). In 2022, she became the first flamenco dancer to win the Silver Lion at the Venice Biennale. Premier flamenco guitarist and Latin Grammy Award-winner Vicente Amigo has been dubbed one of the most accomplished flamenco guitarists of his generation. He presents a concert that bridges classical and nuevo flamenco on Wednesday 5 June, fusing jazz, folk and South American rhythms without losing the essence of flamenco. Amigo is seen as a successor to the composer and flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía. Virtuoso performers Patricia Guerrero and Alfonso Losa strip flamenco bare and explore personal connection in Alter Ego on Thursday 6 June. Developed from a series of improvisations in the studio, Alter Ego is an intense duet that combines conventional flamenco with unbridled movement. Guerrero draws geometric figures with her dance, dismantling her movements and recreating them anew. Losa develops new schemes without breaking the mould and stays true to his roots. Eva Yerbabuena reflects on her 20-year career in Yerbagüena (bright dark), as she takes to the stage from Friday 7 – Saturday 8 June with her musical director, guitarist and husband, Paco Jarana, as well as two singers and two percussionists. Yerbabuena is known for exploring the tension between traditional and nuevo flamenco, and most famously for her interpretations of the soleá - the dance of solitude. Her career has included an invitation from Pina Bausch to perform at the Tanztheater Wuppertal 25th anniversary festival, choreographing Mi Niña Manuela for the Ballet Nacional de España, and working with film director Mike Figgis, for the documentary Flamenco Women. Celebrated flamenco musician Israel Fernández presents his latest album Pura Sangre on Sunday 9 June in collaboration with renowned Jerez guitarist Diego del Morao. In his most personal work to date, Pura Sangre is an intimate look at Fernández’s surroundings and his way of interacting with the outside world. Fernández’s album Amor won the Premio Odeón and he has also been nominated for Best Flamenco Album in the Latin Grammy Awards. On Monday 10 June, choreographer David Coria and singer David Lagos converge in a contemporary interpretation of the fandango, a popular and festive musical style from Andalusia with more than 500 years of history. From flamenco to contemporary movement, traditional song to electronic music, ¡Fandango! draws on Iberian folk culture to celebrate Spanish history and tradition. Coria has collaborated with numerous Spanish dance companies including Compañía Andaluza de Danza, Ballet Nacional de España, Rafaela Carrasco and Rocío Molina. Lagos won four awards at the Biennal of Flamenco in Seville in 2020 including the award for the best performance. Ballet Nacional de España presents Invocación, an extravaganza of music, movement and colour from Wednesday 12 – Saturday 15 June. Artistic Director Rubén Olmo curates this all-encompassing evening featuring 38 dancers and four works that cover the cornerstones of Spanish dance, from vibrant flamenco and traditional bolero to contemporary dance and classical ballet. De lo Flamenco is a tribute to the legendary dancer and choreographer Mario Maya. Olmo choreographs two works; Jauleña, performed by a different soloist from the company each night, and the colourful, ensemble piece, Invocación Bolera. Finally, Antonio Najarro’s Eterna Iberia features the signature elements of Spanish dance – castanets, the Spanish Cape, and the Cordobes Hat. As one of the main cultural ambassadors of Spain to the world, Ballet Nacional de España highlights Spain’s rich choreographic heritage. The National Ballet, founded by the Ministry of Culture in 1978, continues to set the standard for Spanish dance. In the Lilian Baylis Studio, Sara Jiménez explores the duality of life in her one woman show Ave de Plata on Friday 14 June. Pushing flamenco to the cutting edge of the artform, Jiménez combines movement and her voice to create vocal poetry. On Saturday 15 June, award-winning Florencia Oz alongside her sister Isidora O’Ryain present En este día en este mundo (In this day, in this world), following a week-long residency at Sadler’s Wells, and singer María José Llergo presents her new album ULTRABELLEZA live, fusing flamenco with electronica and R&B. Flamenco Festival London 2024 has the collaboration of the National Institute of Performing Arts and Music of the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Spain; the Cervantes Institute, as part of its World Flamenco Congress; the National Ballet of Spain; Torrox City Council; Arts Council England; and Barclays Dance Pass. Press nights: Sadler's Wells Theatre Rocío Molina Al Fondo Riela – Tuesday 4 June at 7:30 pm Vicente Amigo In Concert – Wednesday 5 June at 7:30 pm Alfonso Losa & Patricia Guerrero Alter Ego – Thursday 6 June at 7:30 pm Eva Yerbabuena Yerbagüena (bright dark) – Friday 7 June at 7:30 pm Israel Fernández ft. Diego del Morao In Concert – Pura Sangre – Sunday 9 June at 7:30 pm David Coria & David Lagos Company ¡Fandango! – Monday 10 June at 7:30 pm Ballet Nacional de España Invocación – Wednesday 12 June at 7:30pm Lilian Baylis Studio Sara Jiménez Ave de Plata – Friday 14 June at 6:00 pm Florencia Oz En este día en este mundo (In this day, in this world) – Saturday 15 June at 6:00 pm María José Llergo ULTRABELLEZA – Saturday 15 June at 8:30 pm NOTES TO EDITORS Listings Information                       Flamenco Festival London 2024 Sadler’s Wells Theatre & Lilian Baylis Studio Tuesday 4 - Saturday 15 June Tickets £12 - £75 Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com About Flamenco Festival Flamenco Festival is dedicated to showcasing and promoting Spanish culture worldwide. Under the direction and leadership of Miguel Marín, the festival's annual international events serve as a platform for presenting today's foremost flamenco luminaries — from internationally acclaimed artists and venerable icons of traditional flamenco to the most cutting-edge and promising young talents in dance, music, and song. Established in 2001, Flamenco Festival has evolved into the premier global platform for flamenco, captivating over 1.6 million people annually. Across 112 cities, it has featured 170 companies in 1350 performances, elevating flamenco to a vital part of the season of prestigious theaters worldwide, including NY City Center, Carnegie Hall, London Sadler's Wells, Arsht Center in Miami, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, and more. In 2012, Flamenco Festival launched the 'In Progress' residency program in New York, later extending to Miami and London. Evolving further in 2022, the program takes on a new dimension with groundbreaking 'glo-cal' creative labs in Torrox (Málaga). This initiative aims to expand the creative horizons of flamenco, encouraging experimentation and self-discovery, embracing the arts as a powerful catalyst for both individual and social transformation. About Sadler’s Wells     Sadler's Wells is a world-leading dance organisation. We strive to make and share dance that inspires us all. Our acclaimed year-round programme spans dance of every kind, from contemporary to flamenco, Bollywood to ballet, salsa to street dance and tango to tap.   We commission, produce and present more dance than any other organisation in the world. Since 2005, we have helped to bring more than 200 new dance works to the stage, embracing both the popular and the unknown. Our acclaimed productions tour the world. Since 2005 we’ve produced 64 new full-length works and performed to audiences of more than two million, touring to 51 countries.   Each year, over half a million people visit our three London theatres - Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Lilian Baylis Studio and Peacock Theatre. Millions more attend our touring productions nationally and internationally or explore our digital platforms, including Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage. Sadler’s Wells East In 2024 we’re opening a fourth London venue in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Sadler’s Wells East will house a 550-seat mid-scale theatre, as well as facilities for the new Rose Choreographic School and the hip hop theatre training centre, Academy Breakin’ Convention. Sadler’s Wells East joins the rich cultural heritage of Stratford, opening in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as part of the East Bank development alongside the BBC, UAL’s London College of Fashion, UCL and the V&A. Sadler’s Wells East will support artist development and training, and the creation of new work. It will build the infrastructure for dance and make it accessible to more people. Sadler’s Wells East will house a flexible theatre presenting a wide variety of dance performances. Community will be at the heart of Sadler’s Wells East with a large open foyer that can be used by everyone as a meeting or performance space. There will also be dance studios and world-class dance facilities for dancemakers to train, create and rehearse productions. Supporting artists Supporting artists is at the heart of our work. We have associate artists and companies, which nurture some of the most exciting talent working in dance today. We host the National Youth Dance Company, which draws together some of the brightest young dancers from across the country. Sadler’s Wells Breakin' Convention runs professional development programmes to champion and develop the world’s best hip hop artists, as well as producing, programming and touring groundbreaking hip hop performances.    Learning and community links Around 30,000 people take part in our learning and engagement programmes every year. We support schools local to our theatres in Islington and Stratford, designing experiences for children and young people to watch, explore and critically engage with the arts. We also run Company of Elders, a resident performance company of dancers aged over 60 who rehearse with renowned artists to make new work for public performances locally, nationally and internationally.   Sadler’s Wells is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.   www.sadlerswells.com   Stay up to date with everything Sadler’s Wells on social media    Facebook: @SadlersWells    Twitter: @Sadlers_Wells    Instagram: @sadlers_wells    YouTube: Sadler’s Wells Theatre

For immediate release PRESS RELEASE Date: 02/05/24 Royal Academy of Dance expands its dance programme for older learners Silver Swans programme to feature new resources & seated dance exercises Still by David Kaplowitz. Today the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is delighted to announce the expansion of its transformative Silver Swans programme, offering more resources and exercises including seated dance. Launched in 2017 Silver Swans is specifically designed for older learners to experience the joy of dance, improve their health and wellbeing, and connect with their peers. It was launched in 2017 and built on research conducted by the Royal Academy of Dance in 2013 on dance for lifelong wellbeing. Silver Swans classes are taught exclusively by Silver Swans licensees in over 50 countries, with over 500 teachers in the UK. Over the years, Silver Swans programme has gained in popularity, with notable Silver Swans dancers who routinely take classes including Queen Camilla and Silver Swans Ambassador Angela Rippon. The expansion of this transformative programme will see the introduction of exercises such as seated dancing, new barre and floor work, and new branding and merchandise. Speaking of the news, Alexander Campbell Artistic Director of the RAD said: “At the RAD we are so proud that our Silver Swans program has transformed and touched the lives of so many people across the world. It is a hugely popular dance programme and is proven to improve older people’s balance, coordination and cognition. We are delighted to be expanding such a brilliant programme and look forward to sharing our new offerings with current and new Silver Swans teachers and dancers.” Silver Swans Ambassador Angela Rippon said: “What great news. Silver Swans are really flying. The new programme of seated classes will introduce so many new people to the joy of dance. It really is the perfect all round exercise for mind and body. And it’s fun. You’ll laugh a lot, and never be isolated or lonely.” Still by David Kaplowitz. To find a Silver Swans class and learn more about the programme’s expansion visit here: https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/silver-swans-update-and-new-resources Notes to Editors About the Royal Academy of Dance Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is one of the most influential dance education and training organisations in the world with a strong global membership in 85 countries. Established in 1920 to improve standards and re-invigorate dance training, the Academy helps and encourages its teachers to perfect their teaching skills and pass on this knowledge to their students. There are currently over 1,000 students in full-time or part-time teacher training programmes with the Academy and each year the examination syllabus is taught to thousands of young people worldwide, with around a quarter of a million pupils per year going on to take RAD exams.