Jan McNulty Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 For immediate release PRESS RELEASE Date: 23/01/24 Royal Academy of Dance’s The Fonteyn comes to London in 2024 The Fonteyn is one of the world’s most prestigious dance competitions Image of The Fonteyn 2023 Gold medallist Jakob Wheway-Hughes. Image by Martin Bell. Today the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is delighted to announce that its flagship event The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition comes to London in 2024. The Fonteyn (previously known as The Genée) is one of the oldest and most prestigious ballet competitions in the world, representing the pinnacle of achievement for young dancers trained in the RAD syllabus. Beginning in 1931, the competition has toured the globe and is dedicated to promoting dance, providing educational experiences and recognising excellence in young ballet dancers internationally. A launch pad for a professional career, past winners of The Genée and The Fonteyn – including Steven McRae and Francesca Hayward - have become professional dancers with companies worldwide and enjoyed long-lasting careers in the arts. Tim Arthur Chief Executive of the RAD said: “The Fonteyn is such a special event loved by so many people across the international dance industry. Each year we bring together dancers from around the globe for a week of dance that they’ll remember and cherish forever. We’re delighted to be putting on this event in London this year and look forward to creating even more Fonteyn memories.” The competition begins on 1 September, with coaching days kicking off the week. Three days of semi-finals then follow, hosted at RAD’s state-of-the-art dance studios in its HQ. The semi-finals will see candidates take part in a judged class on stage and performing one variation from the Classical Repertoire list. Candidates also perform a ‘Dancer’s Own’ piece – a newly choreographed solo created by themselves, their teacher, or a peer, to a piece of music of their choice. After the semi-finals, the grand final will be held at His Majesty’s Theatre, London on 8 September. During The Fonteyn 2024 competition, candidates will work with a top choreographer on a variation commissioned for the competition. The finalists will perform this at the final, where it will have its premiere. Last year’s commissioned choreographer was The Royal Ballet first soloist Valentino Zucchetti who choreographed Jeunesse. Bursaries are now open! In 2023 RAD was able to give bursaries to around a quarter of The Fonteyn candidates. This scheme provides vital support for young dancers facing additional barriers to achieving their dreams. Bursary applications for The Fonteyn 2024 are now open and close on Friday 1 March. Candidate applications for 2024 Candidate applications for The Fonteyn 2024 competition open on Friday March 1 and close on Friday 31 May. Ticket sales for public will open in the next few months. You can find out more at The Fonteyn website https://www.thefonteyn.org/ 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 over 80 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. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 PRESS RELEASE Date: 15/05/24 Royal Academy of Dance announces commissioned choreographer, faculty and judges for The Fonteyn 2024 L-R: Image of Dame Darcey Bussell DBE (credit Franks), Alessandra Ferri OMRI (credit Alessandra Ferri), Kevin O’Hare CBE (credit Joe Plimmer). The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is delighted to announce the commissioned choreographer, faculty and judges for The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition 2024 which returns to London from 1-8 September. Andrew McNicol will be the commissioned choreographer for The Fonteyn and will choreograph two new solos that will have their world premieres at The Fonteyn final at His Majesty’s Theatre, London on 8th September 2024. Speaking of the news, Andrew McNicol says: “I’m delighted to be the commissioned choreographer for The Fonteyn 2024. The competition brings dancers from around the world together to share the joy of dance, develop their artistry and to make brilliant memories. I can’t wait to start working with the candidates on these commissioned solos.” RAD President, Guest Principal Coach of The Royal Ballet Dame Darcey Bussell DBE and Artistic Director Designate of Wiener Staatsballett Alessandra Ferri OMRI will judge The Fonteyn semi-finals at RAD’s state-of-the-art headquarters in London, with The Royal Ballet Director Kevin O'Hare CBE joining Bussell and Ferri to judge The Fonteyn final. Dame Monica Mason DBE, RAD Vice President and former Director of The Royal Ballet, and Ashley Page OBE, choreographer and former Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet, will judge the Musicality and Choreographic Awards. The Musicality Award is being introduced for the first time in the competition’s history. These two awards are supported by the Lynn Wallis Bursary Fund. The competition’s faculty, who will be teaching the candidates during The Fonteyn, are RAD’s Artistic Director Alexander Campbell, Christopher Powney, Isabel McMeekan and Samira Saidi. Alexander Campbell and Lynn Wallis OBE Producer of The Fonteyn said: “We are absolutely delighted that this distinguished faculty and panel of judges have taken time away from their very busy schedules to be with us for The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition 2024. Their combined expertise and knowledge will be an invaluable resource for the participants and we look forward to working with them to provide an exciting and rewarding experience for all involved.” The Fonteyn (previously known as The Genée) is one of the oldest and most prestigious ballet competitions in the world, representing the pinnacle of achievement for young dancers trained in the RAD syllabus. Beginning in 1931, the competition has toured the globe and is dedicated to promoting dance, providing educational experiences and recognising excellence in young ballet dancers internationally. A launch pad for a professional career, past winners of the competition – including Steven McRae and Celine Gittens - have become professional dancers with companies worldwide and enjoyed long-lasting careers in the arts. The competition is hosted at the RAD’s headquarters. Coaching begins on 1 September, with semi-finals held on 4-6 September in the Aud Jebsen Studio Theatre. The semi-finals will see candidates take part in a judged class and performing a Classical Repertoire variation. Candidates will also perform a ‘Dancer’s Own’ variation choreographed by themselves, their teacher, or a peer, to a piece of music of their choice. The final will be held at His Majesty’s Theatre, London on 8 September at 7pm. Joining the faculty are Mayumi Hotta (Benesh Choreologist), Rebecca Leshures (Pianist) and Richard Norris (Pianist). Candidate applications are open! Candidate applications for The Fonteyn 2024 competition close on Friday 31 May. To apply and find out more visit The Fonteyn website https://www.thefonteyn.org/ With thanks to The Fonteyn’s corporate partners Freed and Harlequin. TICKETING INFORMATION Public on-sale for The Fonteyn 2024 will be on 1st July. Tickets are on sale for RAD Members only. Join our audience at the final on 8 September 2024 at 7pm. RAD Members enjoy 15% off the top three price bands for a limited time, between 29 April and 30 June 2024. Unsold tickets will be available to the public at a later date. Book here. -ENDS- 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 over 80 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. About The Fonteyn The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition is the Royal Academy of Dance's flagship annual event and it's one of the most prestigious ballet competitions in the world, attracting the finest young dancers trained in the RAD syllabus, from around the globe. The competition is dedicated to promoting and rewarding standards of excellence in young ballet dancers internationally. This is achieved by offering candidates the unique opportunity to work with world-renowned choreographers and professionals, as well as the chance to perform on an international stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted June 24 Author Share Posted June 24 PRESS RELEASE Date: 24/06/24 José Alves completes the judging panel for The Fonteyn 2024 Image of Jose Alves by Karol Omorczyk. The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is delighted to announce that former leading artist with Ballet Black José Alves will be joining the panel of judges for The Fonteyn 2024. Alves will be judging the competition’s semi-finals that will take place at the RAD’s state-of-the-art Aud Jebsen Studio Theatre at its HQ in London. Alves joins Dame Darcey Bussell DBE, Alessandra Ferri OMRI, Kevin O'Hare CBE, Dame Monica Mason DBE and Ashley Page OBE to judge The Fonteyn 2024. Bussell, Ferri and Alves will judge the semi-finals, with O’Hare judging the final at His Majesty’s Theatre only. Mason and Page will judge the Musicality and Choreographic Awards. The Musicality Award is being introduced for the first time in the competition’s history and are supported by the Lynn Wallis Bursary Fund. Commenting on the news José Alves said: "I'm honoured to be judging The Fonteyn 2024 semi-finals. I can't wait to see dancers from around the world take to the RAD's stage to perform at such a wonderful venue and prestigious competition." The semi-finals will see candidates take part in a judged class and performing a Classical Repertoire variation. Candidates will also perform a ‘Dancer’s Own’ variation choreographed by themselves, their teacher, or a peer, to a piece of music of their choice. The final will be held at His Majesty’s Theatre, London on 8 September at 7pm. Andrew McNicol will be the commissioned choreographer for The Fonteyn and will choreograph two new variations that will have their world premieres at The Fonteyn final. The Fonteyn (previously known as The Genée) is one of the oldest and most prestigious ballet competitions in the world, representing the pinnacle of achievement for young dancers trained in the RAD syllabus. Beginning in 1931, the competition has toured the globe and is dedicated to promoting dance, providing educational experiences and recognising excellence in young ballet dancers internationally. A launch pad for a professional career, past winners of the competition – including Steven McRae and Celine Gittens - have become professional dancers with companies worldwide and enjoyed long-lasting careers in the arts. Born in Brazil, Alves started ballet at the age of 13 at the Adalgisa Rolim Ballet School. In 2007 he joined the Bolshoi Theatre School in Brazil and graduated in 2008. Alves joined Ballet Black for the 2012/13 season and was promoted to Senior Artist in 2014. He has danced in original choreography by Javier de Frutos, Will Tuckett, Ludovic Ondiviela and created the roles of Demetrius and Bottom in A Dream Within a Midsummer Night’s Dream by Arthur Pita, and The Son in Mark Bruce’s Second Coming. In 2017, Alves was featured in Ballet Black’s revival of Martin Lawrance’s Captured and created the role of Grandma, danced en pointe, in Annabelle Lopez-Ochoa’s Red Riding Hood. He was also one of the lead dancers in the Ballet Black’s first live stream on World Ballet Day 2017, dancing in the revival of Dopamine (you make my levels go silly) by Ludovic Ondiviela (2013), broadcast by the BBC. In 2018, José danced the role of Oberon in A Dream Within A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Arthur Pita) and created the role of Philemon in Cathy Marston’s The Suit, for which he won the 2018 Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for Outstanding Male Classical Dancer. Between 2019 and 2022, Alves danced in new ballets by Sophie Laplane, Mthuthuzeli November, Peter Leung, Will Tuckett, Martin Lawrance and Gregory Maqoma and collaborated with Cassa Pancho and Ballet Black to create Say It Loud, a celebration of the company’s 20th anniversary in 2022. TICKETING INFORMATION Public on-sale for The Fonteyn 2024 will go live on 1st July. To keep updated head to http://www.thefonteyn.org/ 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 over 80 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. About The Fonteyn The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition is the Royal Academy of Dance's flagship annual event and it's one of the most prestigious ballet competitions in the world, attracting the finest young dancers trained in the RAD syllabus, from around the globe. The competition is dedicated to promoting and rewarding standards of excellence in young ballet dancers internationally. This is achieved by offering candidates the unique opportunity to work with world-renowned choreographers and professionals, as well as the chance to perform on an international stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 For immediate release PRESS RELEASE Date: 01/07/24 Prestigious ballet competition The Fonteyn comes to London UK this September Image by Martin Bell. Today the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) announces that its annual flagship event The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition (The Fonteyn) will take place in London from 1-8 September 2024. The Fonteyn (previously known as The Genée) is one of the oldest and most prestigious ballet competitions in the world, representing the pinnacle of achievement for young dancers trained in the RAD syllabus. Beginning in 1931, The Fonteyn is dedicated to promoting dance, providing educational experiences and recognising excellence in young ballet dancers internationally. Over 70 dancers from countries around the globe will participate in The Fonteyn 2024. Coaching sessions delivered by renowned professionals begin the week, with the semi-finals held on 4-6 September at RAD’s stunning Aud Jebson Studio Theatre in its London HQ. The Fonteyn grand final will be held at His Majesty’s Theatre, London on 8 September. RAD’s Artistic Director Alexander Campbell and The Fonteyn Producer Lynn Wallis said: “We look forward to welcoming students from around the world to participate in this year’s Fonteyn. We aim to provide an exceptional experience for our candidates by offering coaching and support from a distinguished faculty as well as performance opportunities throughout the competition.” The Fonteyn’s esteemed judging panel includes Dame Darcey Bussell DBE, Alessandra Ferri OMRI and Kevin O’Hare CBE (judging the final only). José Alves will judge the semi-finals, with Dame Monica Mason DBE and Ashley Page OBE judging the Musicality and Choreographic Awards generously supported by supported by the Lynn Wallis Bursary Fund. The Musicality Award is being introduced for the first time in the competition’s history. The competition’s faculty who will be teaching the candidates during The Fonteyn are RAD’s Artistic Director Alexander Campbell, Christopher Powney, Isabel McMeekan and Samira Saidi. This year’s commissioned choreographer is Andrew McNicol. At The Fonteyn, candidates will compete for a chance to win the coveted Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and for the Dame Margot Fonteyn Audience Choice Award, Choreographic Award and Musicality Award. In addition to the medals and cash prizes all candidates will have the opportunity to be considered for a variety of tuition scholarship opportunities from renowned dance schools across the globe. - 27 October 202 To find out more about The Fonteyn and to secure your place at the final and semi-final events visit: https://www.thefonteyn.org/tickets TICKET INFORMATION The Fonteyn semi-finals Date: 4-6 September Location: Royal Academy of Dance 188 York Road London SW11 3JZ Booking link: https://www.thefonteyn.org/tickets The Fonteyn final Date: 8 September Location: His Majesty’s Theatre, Haymarket, St. James's, London SW1Y 4QL Price: Tickets £13 – £97 (includes theatre restoration levy and booking fee). Booking link: https://www.thefonteyn.org/tickets 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted July 19 Author Share Posted July 19 For immediate release PRESS RELEASE Date: 17/07/24 RAD announces guest performance at The Fonteyn 2024 final Northern Ballet dancers Harris Beattie & Saeka Shirai to perform an iconic pas de deux from ‘Romeo & Juliet’ Image by Emily Nuttall. The Royal Academy of Dance is delighted to announce that Northern Ballet company dancers Harris Beattie and Saeka Shirai will perform a pas de deux from Northern Ballet’s Romeo & Juliet at The Fonteyn 2024 final on Sunday 8th September. Harris Beattie and Saeka Shirai will perform the iconic balcony scene where Romeo (Harris) declares his eternal love for Juliet (Saeka). Adapted by Christopher Gable CBE and Massimo Moricone, Romeo & Juliet is one of Northern Ballet’s most beloved and critically acclaimed productions, which is currently touring the UK. Harris Beattie is an RAD alumni and previously took part and won gold medal plus the choreographic and audience choice award at the Genée International Ballet Competition in 2017. He was the first person in the history of the competition to win all three. Harris Beattie also won the Royal Academy of Dance Phyllis Bedells Bursary in 2015. Last month, he was promoted to Junior Soloist at Northern Ballet. Saeka Shirai is from Osaka, Japan, with extensive training and performance experience. She trained at the Yuki Ballet Studio in Japan and further honed her skills at Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. Her professional career includes four years with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet and two years with Poznan Opera Ballet. In 2016, she won a silver medal at the prestigious Varna International Ballet Competition. The Fonteyn (previously known as The Genée) is one of the oldest and most prestigious ballet competitions in the world, representing the pinnacle of achievement for young dancers trained in the RAD syllabus. Beginning in 1931, The Fonteyn is dedicated to promoting dance, providing educational experiences and recognising excellence in young ballet dancers internationally. Over 70 dancers from countries around the globe will participate in The Fonteyn 2024. Coaching sessions delivered by renowned professionals begin the week, with the semi-finals held on 4-6 September at RAD’s stunning Aud Jebson Studio Theatre in its London HQ. To find out more about The Fonteyn and to secure your place at the final and semi-final events visit: https://www.thefonteyn.org/tickets TICKET INFORMATION The Fonteyn semi-finals Date: 4-6 September Location: Royal Academy of Dance 188 York Road London SW11 3JZ Booking link: https://www.thefonteyn.org/tickets The Fonteyn final Date: 8 September Location: His Majesty’s Theatre, Haymarket, St. James's, London SW1Y 4QL Price: Tickets £13 – £97 (includes theatre restoration levy and booking fee). Booking link: https://www.thefonteyn.org/tickets 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now