Friends reunited

RAD members from across the world gathered at the RAD, 50 years after graduating from the Royal Academy of Dance College.

Dance Gazette | Big Picture | Issue 17 – Oct 2026

The graduating class of 1976, reunited at the RAD. Photo: courtesy Teresa Foster

The 50th anniversary of the graduating class of 1976 from the Royal Academy of Dance College was held from 18–19 July. Twelve graduates attended from New Zealand, California, Norway, Spain, Malta, France, Cyprus, Wales and England.

Celebrations included a tour of the new RAD headquarters and a reacquainting chat in the Rittner Room. The surprise visit of Alexander Campbell wishing us well further added to the festivities!

Much reminiscing took place, particularly remembering the old Vicarage Crescent premises (only partially built when we started) and the wonderful, inspirational teaching staff who will forever be in our memories.

The graduates at the reunion were: Catherine Dawson, Teresa Foster, Heather Hebbert, Valerie Hewitson, Marion Highmore, Tamzin Howell, Annie Lawler, Lesley Ovenden, Karen Plambeck, Narelle Stevens, Charmian Thomas and Gina Wright. Janet Small was sadly unable to attend.

Teresa Foster

SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

Dance Gazette Big Picture Issue 17 – Oct 2026

REST OF Issue 17 – Oct 2026

Inside RAD post Inside RAD

The journey begins

The choreographer Kate Flatt addressed successful teaching graduates at the RAD’s annual Faculty of Education graduation ceremony at Cadogan Hall in London. This is an edited version of her speech.

Dance Gazette

RAD Q&A post RAD Q&A

Galatia Savva

The winner of the RAD award for Innovation and Creativity in Dance Education, Galatia Savva makes works with her students in Cyprus exploring grief, violence and body confidence.

Dance Gazette

Playlist post Playlist

Joby Talbot

Joby Talbot’s ballet scores have travelled the world – and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is now a musical illustrated book. But what music is on Joby’s playlist?

Dance Gazette

Advice Bureau post Advice Bureau

Chan Hon Goh

The new RAD Vice-President and Bedells Bursary judge says dancers shouldn’t be afraid of being vulnerable – and even imperfect.

Dance Gazette

Why Dance Matters post Why Dance Matters

Alicia Graf Mack

Alicia Graf Mack is only the fourth Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. How will she hold the company’s legacy? And why was she made to move?

Dance Gazette

Director’s cut post Director’s cut

Judgement calls

How does the RAD respect the past while meeting current expectations? It’s a delicate balancing act, explains Alexander Campbell.

Alexander Campbell

features

Fail better

Flunking auditions, losing roles, falling short in exams or competitions: failure is inevitable in a dancer’s life. But what can we learn from failure? Lyndsey Winship investigates.

Lyndsey Winship

Frederick Ashton’s ballets resonate when dancers discover the spirit behind the steps: Anna Rose O’Sullivan and William Bracewell in La Fille mal gardée (Royal Ballet). Photo: Andrej Uspenski

features

21st century Ashton

Solos by Frederick Ashton will feature in The Fonteyn for the first time this year. How challenging is Ashton’s style for young dancers, and how are devotees keeping the flame alive? Jonathan Gray investigates.

Jonathan Gray

interviews

Wheel of fortune

At 18, Christopher Wheeldon won a life-changing flight to New York. Now the choreographer receives the RAD’s lifetime achievement award – David Jays hears about his career’s twists and turns.

David Jays

reports

Dancing for democracy

When authoritarian regimes gain ground around the world, dance projects can act as a form of resistance. Sally Howard reports on dance as protest – from the 1930s to today.

Sally Howard

interviews

Starting strong

They’re welcoming, committed to inclusion and full of bright ideas. Emily May meets the winner and nominees for the RAD’s new Early Career–Emerging Teacher Award.

Emily May

features

Circle of life

What goes around, comes around. From folk dance to ballet, from hip hop to movies – Sanjoy Roy explores why the circle is so central to dance and dancing.

Sanjoy Roy