Céline Gittens, Principal, Birmingham Royal Ballet and former Gold medallist
About The Fonteyn
The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition is the Royal Academy of Dance's flagship annual event.
The competition is 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 dance competition is dedicated to promoting and rewarding standards of excellence in young ballet dancers internationally. This is achieved by offering aspiring dancers 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.
Past medalists
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.
Welcome
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Who is involved
This year's panel of judges includes: Dame Darcey Bussell, Aaron Watkin and Amanda Britton.
Valentino Zucchetti will be our guest choreographer, and a list of incredible coaches and pianists completes the faculty that will work with our candidates.
Read more about the amazing people behind The Fonteyn 2023.
Support The Fonteyn
The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition and the events that surround it each year are funded by the Royal Academy of Dance centrally, local organising committee fundraising campaigns, and by sponsors. We also work with a range of partners who generously give their time and expertise to make The Fonteyn a reality each year.
If you are interested in becoming a partner or sponsor of The Fonteyn, please get in touch by emailing development@rad.org.uk.
RAD Headquarters
188 York Road
London SW11 3JZ
The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition will be held at the new RAD global headquarters in London.
We are proud of our new building which gives us better education and training facilities for our members, students, teachers, examiners, and staff. These include seven brand new 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.
Book your ticket for the semi-finals and see all candidates perform on stage.
Corporate Partners
Supporters
The Dame
Margot Fonteyn Scholarship Fund
If you are interested in sponsoring The Fonteyn, please be in touch with us via email.
PHOTO CREDITS - Celine Gittens: courtesy of Birmingham Royal Ballet - Zoran Ras/shutterstock.com - Chi Wai Cheung @hiro graphics - Keith Sin @hiro graphics - 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