Royal Academy of Dance Holds Prestigious Competition Entirely Online


Ground-breaking new format hosted by Wimbledon resident Darcey Bussell


RAD president Darcey Bussell. Picture: Elliot Franks

In a bid to widen accessibility the Wandsworth-based Royal Academy of Dance has announced medallists of The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition, held completely online for the first time in its history.

Alice McArthur, from New Zealand, won the prestigious Genee Gold Medal, more than 30 years after her mother won silver in the same competition.

The Fonteyn is one of the most highly regarded competitions in the world, and celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. The final, hosted by RAD President and Wimbledon resident Dame Darcey Bussell, and RAD Artistic Director Gerard Charles, took place entirely online last week.


Genée Gold Medal Winner Alice McArthur
Genee Gold Medal Winner Alice McArthur

The fledgling dancers were judged by Darcey Bussell, Director of The Royal Ballet Kevin O'Hare, CEO and Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet Christopher Hampson and Irek Mukhamedov, Ballet Master of the Opera Paris Ballet. They made their judgements on a variety of dances including a 19th or 20th century classical variation, a contemporary solo choreographed by them or for them (Dancer's Own), a commissioned solo by choreographer Ashley Page and set class exercises, following online coaching and masterclasses from world-class choreographers and teachers.

In the early stages of the competition, the RAD delivered one-to-one online coaching for 114 dancers from 18 countries. The coaches included some of the leading professionals in dance today, included former Royal Ballet Principals Ed Watson and Leanne Benjamin, Miguel Altunaga from the Rambert and Amber Scott who dances as Principal with The Australian Ballet.

Seventy five per cent of candidates said that the competition being online helped them to participate in this educational opportunity. Ninety seven dancers then applied to be considered as a finalist, before judges selected the 15 dancers to take part in the final.

Alice McArthur, who picked up the Genee Gold Award, was trained by Auckland Academy of Dance and currently Sarah Abendroth at John Cranko School. It was a touching coincidence that as the RAD celebrates 90 years since the competition began, Alice's success comes over 30 years after her mother was awarded the silver medal in London.


Bronze medallist Amelie SohBronze medallist Amelie Soh

Australian dancer Milei Lee won the silver. Milei has been trained by RAD Teachers Liane McRae and Janne Blanch, and the English National Ballet School.

Bronze medals went to British dancer Hannah Martin, trained by RAD Teacher Mary Goodhew, and Australian dancer Amelia Soh who has been trained by RAD Teachers Jasmin Bobyk, Paris Bobyk and Celine Bobyk.

The Choreographic Award was won by British dancer Olivia Chang Clarke. The judges felt that her solo Rain of Tears (choreographed by herself) demonstrated the highest standard of choreography within the Dancer's Own category.

Go to the Royal Academy of Dance's website to find out more.

Like Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More

This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism.

Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets.

We’ve always done that and won’t be changing, in fact we’d like to do more.

However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do.

We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area.

A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site.

One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute.

If you do support us in this way we’d be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor.

For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you’d like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site.

 

September 29, 2021

Related links


Sign up for email newsletters from
PutneySW15.com, WandsworthSW18.com and WimbledonSW19.com