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...
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