2002 Genee International Ballet Competition
Royal Academy of Dance Presents Genee International Ballet Competition Outside United Kingdom for the First Time in its 70 Year History
Sydney Opera House Announced as Venue for Public Performance of Finals on December 15, 2002
Marking a significant break from tradition, Sydney has been chosen as the host city for this year's prestigious Genee International Ballet Competition. This will be the first time the Royal Academy of Dance has held the competition outside London since it was launched 70 years ago.
The competition represents the pinnacle of achievement for young people trained in the Royal Academy of Dance method and identifies talented international young dancers. Previous Genee winners have gone on to work with many of the world's leading ballet companies, including The Royal Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, American Ballet Theatre and English National Ballet.
Named after Dame Adeline Genee, a co-founder of the Academy and its first president, the Genee International Ballet Competition is open to non-professional dancers aged 19 years or under, who have achieved the required minimum standard in the Royal Academy of Dance examinations. For December 2002, entrants are again expected to travel from all corners of the globe including United Kingdom, North America, Europe, Asia, South Africa, and from across Australia.
Competition classes, coaching sessions and semi-finals will be conducted over one week from Saturday 7 December at Sydney's National Institute of Dramatic Art. The finals performance will be held in front of a public audience at the Opera Theatre of the Sydney Opera House on Sunday 15 December.
Coaches and judges of international repute will travel to Sydney for the competition, with the judging panel to be chaired by Dame Antoinette Sibley, President of the RAD and former Prima Ballerina. Competitors will be judged on technique, musicality and performance. They will be required to present their choice of one of the set classical repertoire variations, as well as a twentieth century repertoire variation which will be taught during the week leading up to the finals. An exciting new addition to the competition will involve Natalie Weir, one of Australia's leading choreographers, who has been commissioned to create and set a brand new solo on all participants, one for males and one for females.
Further information on how to apply or how to book for the programme of events can obtained by visiting www.rad.org.au or phoning the Academy's Sydney office on (02) 9331 4111.•