The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition will be held in London on 1-8 September 2024, with coaching and semi-finals held at RAD Headquarters and the final at His Majesty’s Theatre.
Candidate applications are open until 31 May.
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.
History
The competition started in 1931, when the Adeline Genée Gold Medal was awarded to Felicity Garratt, and became known as ‘the Genée’. In May 2019, the RAD renamed the 'Genée' to 'The Fonteyn' in honour of our longest-serving president, Dame Margot Fonteyn. We continue to honour our first president with the Adeline Genée Gold Medal for the best dancer.
Many past winners of the Genée and The Fonteyn have become professional dancers with companies worldwide. For many, their careers have been long and varied as directors, artistic directors, ballet masters, teachers, administrators, dance critics, choreographers, TV producers, and directors.
Last year's competition
The Fonteyn 2023 (previously known as the Genée) returned to London for the first in-person event since the pandemic. The week-long competition attracted 79 candidates, who each took part in coaching sessions by Endalyn Taylor, David Nixon and Sarah Wildor, and semi-finals judged by a panel comprising Dame Darcey Bussell, President of the RAD and Guest Principal Coach of The Royal Ballet; Aaron Watkin, Artistic Director of English National Ballet; and Amanda Britton, Chief Executive, Principal and Artistic Director of Rambert School.
After the semi-finals, which took place at RAD’s Aud Jebsen Studio Theatre, the 12 finalists competed for a chance to win the coveted gold, silver and bronze medals and for the Dame Margot Fonteyn Audience Choice Award at His Majesty's Theatre, London. At the event, all candidates performed a newly choreographed piece, Jeunesse, created by The Fonteyn’s guest choreographer, Valentino Zucchetti, First Soloist with The Royal Ballet. A night of pure artistry and emotion!
A recording of the 2023 final live streaming is available for premium users of Medici.tv. Watch online.
“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.”
Tim Arthur, Chief Executive of the RAD
RAD Headquarters
The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition coaching and semi-finals are held at the RAD global headquarters in London. Our facilities include seven studios, the beautiful Aud Jebsen Studio Theatre, the Wolfson Library, and an archive housing and displaying our collection of over 75,000 dance and RAD-related objects.
Support
The Fonteyn
The RAD is only able to present the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition with the support of generous sponsors and donors, as well as the vital income coming from ticket sales and competitor fees.
We need support to enable us to offer The Fonteyn to the talented ballet stars of tomorrow. If you are interested in becoming a supporter or sponsor of The Fonteyn, please get in touch by emailing development@rad.org.uk.
PHOTO CREDITS - GBL Wilson - Bruce Zinger - James Gifford-Mead - Royal Academy of Dance/ArenaPAL - Johan Persson - Lisa Stonehouse - Amber Mitchell-Knight: Courtesy of Amber Mitchell-Knight - Felix Koch - Foteini Christofilopoulou - Cesare De Giglio - David Tett - Martin Bell