My first RAD event, back in 2005, was the Genée International Ballet Competition at Sadler’s Wells in London. Despite many striking candidates, when it came to voting for the Audience Choice award, there was one standout dancer – Céline Gittens from Canada who showed remarkable poise and artistry in her variation from Giselle. She won both the audience’s and the judges’ hearts.

My first RAD event, back in 2005, was the Genée International Ballet Competition at Sadler’s Wells in London. Despite many striking candidates, when it came to voting for the Audience Choice award, there was one standout dancer – Céline Gittens from Canada who showed remarkable poise and artistry in her variation from Giselle. She won both the audience’s and the judges’ hearts.

Three years earlier, in Sydney, the buoyant Australian Steven McRae was the eye-catching gold medallist, and for both dancers the RAD threads through their dancing lives. Each has forged an impressive career in the UK: Céline with Birmingham Royal Ballet and Steven with the Royal Ballet. Although their lives have run so much in parallel, to my surprise these elegant principals had never met until we brought them together at the new RAD headquarters in London.

Each is now an RAD Ambassador, exploring the Academy’s international reach and what dance students need from RAD teachers. As our cover film shows, they had a lot to talk about. They discuss their beginnings, hopes and challenges – and we hear that Steven too was in the audience for Céline’s Genée triumph. ‘I hope you voted for me!’ she says.

In this issue, you’ll also find lively articles on happiness, RAD teachers moving across the world and the irresistible lure of K-pop. We also feature Ukrainian dancers and students building new lives after the terrible invasion of their country – some with the help of RAD teachers. I do hope you enjoy it.

David Jays
Editor