The Royal Academy of Dance has appointed the philanthropist and entrepreneur Stephen Moss as Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Stephen Moss joins the RAD at an exciting time for one of the world’s pre-eminent dance education and training organisations as it continues to empower people across the globe through dance.

Speaking of his appointment, Stephen Moss says, ‘I am delighted to be joining the RAD as Chair. I have always had a love for dance, and so I feel very privileged to become Chair of such a brilliant international organisation.’

Moss trained as a lawyer and holds an MBA from London Business School. After a spell working in the City of London, he combined a successful career as an entrepreneur with transformational charity roles; including founding and chairing the Springboard Charity, a leading national organisation helping thousands of young, disadvantaged and unemployed people change their lives through training and employment in the hospitality industry.

In 2020, he became Chair of London Youth, which represents over 600 youth organisations across London and helps young people to become the best they can be. He is also Chair of Trustees of Jewish Community Secondary School (JCoSS) and the Jewish Policy Research, which undertakes demographic and social research for its community.

He was awarded an MBE for services to the restaurant industry and a CBE for his contribution towards education and training.

Tim Arthur, Chief Executive of the RAD, says, ‘on behalf of the RAD, I am thrilled that Stephen is joining us as Chair. It’s an exciting time for the RAD and Stephen joins us at a pivotal moment as we evolve and expand around the world with more products and services than ever before and a renewed focus on our fantastic membership and digital future. I look forward to working with Stephen and furthering our mission of inspiring the world to dance.’

Ida Levine, RAD Interim Chair and Chair of its Fundraising & Development Sub-Committee adds, ‘we are excited to be welcoming Stephen as our new Chair at this pivotal time. He combines a passion for dance and the arts, with transformation experience and a commitment to philanthropy, education and the social sector.’

As Chair, Moss succeeds Guy Perricone, who chaired the RAD from 2015 and is now Chair of Northern Ballet.

SEND YOUR FEEDBACK
Previous
Art of the matter

Effective teaching

Dance Gazette

Read more

For the first time, the Bedells Bursary took place at RAD’s new, state-of-the-art London headquarters, in October last year. This was also the first competition to take place since 2019. 

British dancer Jakob Wheway, aged 15 was awarded the Bedells Bursary. Currently training at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, Wheway performed variations from Giselle (the Act 1 peasant pas de deux) plus Between the Lines, which he choreographed himself.

22 young dancers took part in this competition where candidates were judged on a non-syllabus ballet class, a classical variation and a variation choreographed by themselves. In recognition of the huge importance of nurturing and providing opportunities for creativity in young dancers, this year’s Choreographic Award was presented to British dancer Scott Milne, 16 (and trained by Karen Berry at Danscentre in Aberdeen) for his Dancer’s Own solo entitled Twilight. This award has been made possible by funding generously provided by the Lynn Wallis Bursary Fund.

Candidates were judged by Lynn Wallis (former Artistic Director of the RAD), David McAllister (RAD Vice-President and former Artistic Director of the Australian Ballet) and Anna-Rose O’Sullivan (Principal Dancer with the Royal Ballet). O’Sullivan is one of many previous winners to perform with professional companies. Dancers from previous competitions have also gone on to dance with companies such as Dutch National Ballet and Estonian National Ballet, and other former winners include Errol Pickford, Lauren Cuthbertson, Sean Bates, Joseph Caley and Brandon Lawrence.

Jakob Wheway with Anna Rose O’Sullivan. Photo: Foteini Christofilopoulou

Recognising young dancers’ excellence in artistic and technical achievement and providing opportunities for creativity, the bursary is named in honour of Phyllis Bedells, a founder member of the RAD. The bursary, supported by the Mary Kipps Bequest, offers £1,000 to be used to further the winner’s training. This year, dancers took part from countries including the UK, Malta, Canada, Hong Kong and Portugal.

Gerard Charles, Artistic Director of the RAD, said, ‘it is a joy to see our dancers gather from so many different places to learn together, to show what they have achieved and to see each other’s work. It is a good opportunity to celebrate their work and to recognise all the people that have helped them get to this point. We are always excited to see what their next steps may be.’

This year’s Bedells Bursary took place at the same time as the RAD’s Dance Challenge, a nationwide competition where dancers perform a solo choreographed by themselves. The winners were:

  • Overall winner of the Antoinette Sibley Scholarship for Levels 1 and 2: Erin Eastaugh, 12, trained by Karen Berry and Lorna Scott at Danscentre in Aberdeen
  • Jean Bedells Choreographic Award Level 1: Beatrix Chevalier Louis, 11, trained by Lorna Scott at Danscentre in Aberdeen
  • Jean Bedells Choreographic Award Level 2: Keira Hair, 16, trained by Lorna Scott at Danscentre in Aberdeen

All the young dancers taking part in both competitions enjoyed a weekend of performances and educational experiences at RAD headquarters, including a special masterclass led by former Royal Ballet dancer Leanne Cope.

SEND YOUR FEEDBACK
Previous
Big Picture

Dame Beryl Grey

Dance Gazette

Read more

Step Live Festival, Step into Dance’s annual celebration of dance, returned for the first time in three years on 12 July. The event, which took place at London’s Cadogan Hall, saw over 350 students perform for family, friends, and invited guests.

Delivered by professional dancers, Step into Dance supports young dancers to progress, excel, and realise their creative potential. A Royal Academy of Dance programme in partnership with the Jack Petchey Foundation, Step into Dance reaches secondary school students across London and Essex offering a broad dance programme. Schools and students benefit from opportunities to get involved in a wider programme of workshops and performances.

All of the participating dancers were involved in the Step into Dance programme, which this year celebrates its 15th anniversary. Audiences got a taste of hip hop, contemporary, commercial styles and afro across two performances. 23 schools were selected to perform, from a total of 49 applicants.

Because of the pandemic, this was many students’ first experience of performing in a professional venue, and the atmosphere was electric. Dancers cheered on their fellow schools from the hall’s circle, which allowed them to see what their peers had been working on and experience a range of different dance styles. Natasha Beuselinck, a sports coach and drama teacher at Swiss Cottage School, said, ‘the students enjoyed it and the parents absolutely loved it, they were very emotional!’

LOOK

Foteini Christofilopoulou’s photos of Step Live at Cadogan Hall

‘I was incredibly proud of each and every one of the dancers who took part in the stunning Step Live performance,’ said Tim Arthur, CEO of the RAD. ‘Each one radiated creativity, commitment and joy. It was a wonderful and moving event and it’s such a privilege for the RAD to be working so closely with the Jack Petchey Foundation and with our wonderful dancers.’

After a busy day of rehearsal and performance, the dancers received a standing ovation from an excited audience.

RESOURCES

SEND YOUR FEEDBACK
Previous
RAD Q&A

Lizeth Leonhardt Avalos

Dance Gazette

Read more

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall formally opened the new state-of-the-art Royal Academy of Dance global headquarters on 10 March. Created as a new international home for dance, the new building in Battersea will enable the RAD to expand on its 100-year commitment to high-quality dance education and to bring the transformational power of dance to more people, regardless of age, ability, or location.

The Duchess, Vice-Patron of the RAD since 2020, was given a tour of the building by the RAD’s outgoing Chief Executive, Luke Rittner, and its President, Dame Darcey Bussell. ‘As the very proud Vice-Patron of the RAD,’ she said after unveiling a commemorative plaque, ‘I would like to congratulate everybody who has made this wonderful new building possible. Having had a very short tour of it, seeing its complete magnificence, it’s just doing so much for so many young people – and old people like me. As a Silver Swan myself, I was inspired by my first visit here to try it out and I have been doing it ever since.’

After meeting RAD students training to become dance teachers, the Duchess continued onto a Silver Swans ballet class for learners aged over 55, delivered by her own teacher and Silver Swans Licensee, Sarah Platt. They were joined remotely by a class in Perth, Australia led by Jamelia Gubgub. The Duchess is herself a ‘swan’, as part of her ongoing commitment to championing active aging. She also met participants from the RADiate programme, which provides subsidised inclusive dance classes designed to develop the physicality and boost the self-esteem of children and young people with additional learning needs.

A dance presentation in the brand-new studio theatre, which moved from ballet to hip-hop, included performances from the Step Into Dance initiative; the Step Hip Hop Company is run in association with ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company and develops technique and choreographic skills in dance styles influenced by hip hop culture.

The Duchess also congratulated the winner of the RAD’s art competition for primary schools in Wandsworth. Young children from across the borough were invited to submit a piece of artwork inspired by how dance makes them feel. The winner, Richard aged 8 from Alderbrook Primary School, presented his work to the Duchess, alongside runners up Indiana and Genevieve.

Before leaving, the Duchess paid tribute to Luke Rittner, ‘who has done such a wonderful job over the years,’ and concluded, ‘I just want to say again how proud I am to be part of it all.’

SEND YOUR FEEDBACK
Previous
RAD Q&A

Kim Wide

Dance Gazette

Read more

The RAD is delighted to announce that Tim Arthur will succeed Luke Rittner as Chief Executive of the Academy.

Tim Arthur started his career as a drama teacher with his own drama school in Tunbridge Wells. He went on to become a successful theatre director and playwright. He was CEO/Artistic Director of Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells and won several awards for his work as Artistic Director of the Derby Playhouse’s internationally renowned Community Theatre. He was also the CEO of Cardboard Citizens, a multi-award-winning charity creating theatre working with and for homeless people. He is also a published author and a former presenter on BBC Radio London.

‘I am incredibly excited and honoured to be given the opportunity to lead this wonderful organisation,’ says Arthur, who will take up the post in March. ‘Over the last 100 years, the RAD has helped to change tens of thousands of lives around the world by introducing them to the transformative power and sheer joy of dance. The RAD has been a beacon of excellence, creativity, passion and inclusivity and my aim is to ensure that this continues long in to the future.’

SEND YOUR FEEDBACK
Previous
RAD Q&A

Victoria Treviño

Dance Gazette

Read more

This year, The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition was held entirely online for the first time in its history.

After remote coaching and masterclasses from world-renowned teachers and choreographers, the competition final saw the coveted Genée Gold Medal awarded to New Zealand dancer Alice McArthur, trained by Auckland Academy of Dance and currently Sarah Abendroth at John Cranko School. In a touching coincidence, Alice’s success comes over 30 years after her mother was awarded the silver medal in London.

Australian dancer Milei Lee won the silver medal. Milei has been trained by RAD teachers Liane McRae and Janne Blanch, and English National Ballet School. Bronze medals were presented to British dancer Hannah Martin, trained by RAD teacher Mary Goodhew, and to Australian dancer Amelia Soh, trained by RAD teachers Jasmin Bobyk, Paris Bobyk and Celine Bobyk. The Dancer’s Own Choreographic Award was won by British dancer Olivia Chang Clarke for her self-choreographed solo Rain of tears.

Amelia Soh. Photo: Guy Harman

Australian dancer Amber Mitchell-Knight, trained by RAD teacher Susan Sargison and the National Theatre Ballet School, won this year’s Audience Choice Award, generously supported by the Dame Margot Fonteyn Scholarship Fund. The online vote was held over a 72-hour period, so viewers in all time zones could choose their favourite dancer.

The 15 young dancers were judged by Dame Darcey Bussell, President of the RAD, Director of the Royal Ballet Kevin O’Hare, CEO and Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet Christopher Hampson and Irek Mukhamedov, Ballet Master at the Paris Opéra Ballet. Each dancer performed a 19th- or 20th-century classical variation, a contemporary solo choreographed by or for them (Dancer’s Own), a commissioned solo by choreographer Ashley Page and set class exercises.

Hannah Martin
Milei Lee. Photo: Amber Griffin Photography

Gerard Charles, Artistic Director of the RAD said: ‘I am so pleased that we were able to make the competition happen this year, after what has been an incredibly challenging time for dance students and teachers. It has been so inspiring to see these young dancers surmount unforeseeable challenges of separation, closed studios and lockdowns, just to take part in the competition, let alone take home a medal. This is a true testament to how deeply they value dance.’

The RAD welcomed a record number of applicants, thanks to a new format designed to widen access to this prominent competition. In the early stages, the RAD delivered one-to-one online coaching for 114 dancers from 18 countries. The coaches, all leading professionals, included former Royal Ballet Principals Edward Watson and Leanne Benjamin, Miguel Altunaga from Rambert and Amber Scott, Principal with the Australian Ballet. All the solos of the 15 chosen finalists will be sent to artistic directors of leading international companies, providing a potentially crucial stepping stone in their career path.

Alice McArthur

Watch

Meet the Fonteyn finalists

Watch

Bronze medallist Hannah Martin on her journey to the final

RESOURCES

SEND YOUR FEEDBACK
Previous
RAD Q&A

Mia Zanardo

Dance Gazette

Read more

David McAllister had no idea what awaited him when he arrived at a special event held in Sydney in April. To his surprise, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award, the RAD’s highest honour. 

McAllister, who stepped down as Artistic Director of the Australian Ballet at the end of 2020 and is also a Vice-President of the RAD, receives the award in recognition of his contribution to the Australian Ballet as a dancer and director, as well as being a vital supporter and advocate for dance. 

David McAllister is surprised by Darcey Bussell’s filmed announcement. Photo: Chris Pavlich

‘It is the highest achievement in ballet,’ he said, ‘and without the Royal Academy of Dance I would not be here today. This award has been given to such extraordinary people and to join them is mind-blowing. You don’t expect to receive such an award or recognition when you are lucky enough to do a job you love, with such incredibly talented people. I am incredibly touched and moved.’

First presented (to Dame Ninette de Valois) in 1954, the QEII Coronation Award has been given to some of the greatest names in dance, including Marie Rambert, Frederick Ashton, Rudolf Nureyev, Carlos Acosta and most recently Karen Kain. This year’s award was presented at a special lunch gala organised by the Friends of the Australian Ballet, arranged to mark the end of McAllister’s incredible four decades with the company, and provided a perfect opportunity to surprise him with this coveted honour. 

David McAllister. Photo: Chris Pavlich

David McAllister danced with the Australian Ballet for 20 years and then became its Artistic Director for a further 20 years, growing its international reputation immeasurably. Dame Darcey Bussell, who guested with the company and is the RAD’s President, joined the event virtually to announce the news (Audrey Nicholls presented the medal in person). ‘David, you are so deserving of this award,’ she said, adding that he achieved everything ‘with complete humility and integrity.’

The event was compered by McAllister’s close friend and former dance partner Liz Toohey, who told the Sydney Morning Herald that ‘the legacy and the mark he has made on Australian ballet can never be underestimated.’

RESOURCES

SEND YOUR FEEDBACK
Previous
Why Dance Matters

Xander Parish

Dance Gazette

Read more