RAD graduates, faculty and friends were thrilled to come together on 1 October last year for our 2024 graduation ceremony at Cadogan Hall, London.
Graduates assembled from around the world to receive their awards from Dame Darcey Bussell DBE, President of the RAD, and to hear from guest speaker Sir Wayne McGregor, the award-winning British choreographer and director.
At the RAD, we are incredibly proud of our students, and it was wonderful to be able to come together and watch as they prepare to move on to the next stage of their careers, joining the global network of RAD members and alumni.
Tim Arthur and Sir Wayne McGregor celebrate successful students. Photos: Tempest Photography
I am from Sudbury, Ontario and I love to dance! I had the honour of having Cynthia Fisher as my examiner for my Advanced 2 examination in 2022. I passed with a High Merit, which I am absolutely delighted with! I have been battling Lyme Disease for 11 years, and wanted to share my journey in the hope that it will inspire someone else to reach for their dreams in ballet.
I love dancing more than anything in this world. I think of ballet all day and go to bed dreaming of it at night. I cannot imagine a day without it. Ever since I was little, it has always been my greatest dream to achieve the Advanced 2 exam.
Eleven years ago I was training for the exam when I suddenly fell very ill. I had just finished university and was a dance teacher at my own studio as well as a school teacher. I loved my students dearly and spent my days doing what I loved. But my health became progressively worse, to the point that I had to teach from a chair or even lie down in the classroom. I was fevered, extremely weak, losing weight and experiencing constant pain. I eventually had to give up my studio, my beloved students and teaching along with my exam training at the age of 23. I was bedridden for two years, finally testing positive for Lyme Disease. This was just the start of a long battle which I am still fighting today.
The new syllabus came out shortly after I fell ill, and I was filled with excitement and determination to learn it, beginning on my own from my bed. It took seven years, because I could only read for a few minutes a day and couldn’t move very much. I practiced everything in my head! On the days that I just wanted to cry, I would put on my dance clothes and pointe shoes so that I could ‘feel like a ballerina.’ Three years into my journey, I met my husband, Steven, who has been an angel in my life. He believed in me and encouraged me to reach for my dreams. When we were dating, he took me to see The Nutcracker in Toronto and would whisper, ‘You are going to get your Advanced 2 one day.’
Paige with one of her RAD certificatesPaige with her husband, Steven
In 2018, my beloved father passed away. He was one of my biggest fans: everyone says that I got my deep passion for life from him. I knew that ballet was the one thing that would bring me joy through my grief. I called around to find an RAD teacher, and when I walked into my first class with Sarah Baker we both shed a tear as we shared our stories. Her sister sadly passed away from Lyme Disease. We truly understood each other, which has led to the most beautiful, lifelong friendship.
She knew how to train me carefully and not to push too hard. We started with 20-minute classes, after which I would have to be in bed for a week recovering, as I was undergoing numerous treatments. We slowly added a few minutes to my class each week, and have now made it to two-hour classes!
Training required a lot of support from my loved ones. My amazing mother drove me 90 minutes to class, making so many sacrifices with love: she has been my greatest support. My husband got a new job and we were able to move to the same city as my mom and the dance studio.
The day of my exam was one I will never forget! My entire family, friends and doctors were cheering me on. I was very ill on the day of my exam, but was not going to let infections get in the way of my dream. Cynthia Fisher was such a warm-hearted and encouraging examiner and when we received my mark we were all ecstatic! It far surpassed my hopes and dreams.
Sometimes life doesn’t always go as you had planned, but I am beyond thankful for the joy and perseverance that ballet has brought to my life. It gave me something to strive for during my toughest days, and it will continue to brighten every day in the years to come.
Recently I achieved a Distinction level for both Discovering Repertoire Level 4 as well as Advanced 2. I feel extremely blessed to dance in less pain than the previous years. Dance continues to bring me joy in the midst of my daily battle with this disease. What would we do without ballet?
Members’ Day 2024, held at the RAD on 21 April, was a huge success, welcoming over 150 members on-site and 600 members remotely from around the world.
Karen Hauer, star of Strictly Come Dancing, gave an energetic Latin masterclass, while artists from Jasmin Vardimon Company explored dance and virtual reality. Members also enjoyed performances from SYNC (the RAD’s Step Into Dance Company), English National Ballet School and Jordan James Bridge of Studio Wayne McGregor.
The day saw a variety of informative and inspiring workshops on topics including: musicality, contemporary dance with Rambert Grades, teaching Silver Swans, yoga and stress management and Character dance.
Insightful panel conversations and presentations on the power of language(see ‘In other words’ ) in this issue, injury prevention and the RAD brand, and the RAD’s 87th AGM was held during the day. There was even a chance to see what an RAD exam from 1923 would have looked like!
Among the highlights of the day were the first-ever RAD Awards recognising the contributions of RAD teachers. Congratulations to Rebecca Yates (Dance for Wellbeing Award), Mariah-Jane Thies (Innovation in Dance Award), Marta Comas Utiel (Championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award) and Natalie Hall (Community Engagement Dance Teacher Award). Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Dance awards have been presented to Paula Hunt, Margaret Graham-Hill and Virginia Parkinson.
LOOK
Workshops and events at Members’ Day. Photo: David Kaplowitz
In December, the Royal Academy of Dance launched RAD Leadership Training, an exciting initiative which uses the power and influence of movement to help corporate leaders take their leadership skills to the next level.
Designed for high potential and senior executive leaders in the corporate sector, the programme will initially be delivered by Movement in Practice, an educational platform designed by dance psychologist, Dr Peter Lovatt.
Drawing on the parallels between business and dance, RAD Leadership Training’s creatives and academics will utilise their expertise in dance education and training to help participants unlock their version of high performance, giving them renewed confidence in abilities to confront challenges, achieve sustained performance and cultivate potential in others.
Dr Michelle Groves at the launch. Photo David Tett
Leadership lessons at the RAD. Photo: David Tett
The programme was launched with an event sponsored by London Women’s Forum (LWF), the networking and thought leadership platform for senior female executives in the financial services sector in London and beyond. Power in Motion coincided with the LWF’s 20th anniversary and was attended by members and partners of LWF and other executives from the corporate and dance sectors.
Power in Motion also featured an insightful presentation by Dr Michelle Groves, RAD Director of Education, explaining how to harness the power of stillness. An inspiring session followed with Dame Darcey Bussell, giving a personal account of how she handled her career change and transition. Participants were then treated to an excerpt from The Nutcracker by English National Ballet’s Precious Adams in the RAD’s Aud Jebsen Studio Theatre.
Precious Adams performs in the Aud Jebsen Studio Theatre. Photo: David Tett
‘The power of dance is something I have believed in for some time,’ said Jane Karczewski, Chair of LWF Board, ‘being a dancer from a young age. This special event gave others the opportunity to experience the transformative power of dance and movement and how this can be applied in the business world.’ Tim Arthur, RAD Chief Executive, added, ‘beyond the art form itself, we envisage a future where the principles ingrained in dance education become pillars for effective leadership – the leadership that fosters innovation, empathy and inclusivity.’
Earlier this year, Dance Gazette reported on the dance sector’s growing recognition that safeguarding was a central concern, in dance training and the profession alike. Six months on, Penny Cotton (Membership Director) and Katharine Hikmet (Safeguarding Manager) discuss how the RAD’s work has developed in this area.
What is the latest on the RAD’s safeguarding work?
Penny Cotton It has been a busy period. The main thing we have done is launch safeguarding requirements for RAD teaching members, to support them with their commitment and to take a step closer to creating a world-class safeguarding culture within dance. These new requirements reflect that goal by setting higher standards for student safety. This is about creating safe spaces where everyone can be reassured that their wellbeing is a priority. These include the need for RAD teachers to have a criminal background check every three years, declare any criminal convictions, and take part in annual safeguarding training. We want to create a baseline standard across all the countries in which we operate.
Katharine Hikmet Our international focus has meant meeting regularly with our national directors and colleagues around the world, to have wider conversations exploring safeguarding principles in their regions and countries. I’ve also held introductory sessions with our members in Europe, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the Americas and more. This is something we’re committed to constantly improving and we can only do that if we do that with our members and teams globally, everyone has to buy into the concept that, above everything else, child safety comes first.
Given international variations, can a single code of conduct or best practice be created which works for all members?
PC We believe it absolutely can be. We’re devoting a lot of time to working with our global community to create a practical, simple and impactful common framework.
Katharine Hikmet
Penny Cotton
KH While our headquarters is in the UK, we aim to give an international context to our work, so that it remains meaningful and practical for everyone. Ultimately, we all want to safeguard and look after young people and vulnerable adults, so it’s about highlighting common themes. Creating an overarching, global approach, giving us a common foundation with national variations, is a long-term project, but it’s absolutely possible.
Do teachers appreciate why safeguarding is important?
PC Very much so, and they are responding positively to changes. Our collective goal has always been to provide a secure and supportive space for all dancers.
What safeguarding questions do members have?
KH They are very varied, depending very much on individual circumstances. Some teachers run their own dance school and don’t have anybody else to discuss these issues with. It can be as straightforward as a question about whether or not to refer a situation and to whom. We’ll talk it through and offer any expert advice we can. I’m pleased that people realise they can check in with us. We give them confidence that they’re doing the right things.
We’re opening up conversations with our members – demystifying safeguarding, but also empowering them by ensuring they have their own checks in place.
How would you describe the RAD’s safeguarding journey in recent years?
PC We’ve totally transformed how we look at safeguarding. We’ve been working on enhancing our safeguarding measures and practices including policy development, education, external collaboration and communication. Safeguarding is a continuing priority and commitment for us and in recent years I have seen a massive shift in our approach and we won’t stop until we become a world leader in this area.
What does the future hold for the RAD’s safeguarding work?
PC We will continually review and adapt our policies to changing circumstances and best practice while raising awareness, maintaining open lines of communication and providing clear channels for reporting concerns.
The next step is to look at further developing our training to support teachers. We want every member to have access to the best possible content to help them be the best teachers they can be.
KH As Penny says, it is about developing that training package, developing the existing response to safeguarding questions and making it a truly international space. The key for me is to help more people to have a deeper understanding of safeguarding. We’ve already had some very positive responses – I’m really encouraged by where we are, but we’ll never rest on our laurels.
For more information about safeguarding and resources visit:
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.
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.
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
St Marylebone School
Ravens Wood School
Harris Girls’ Academy Bromley
Highams Park School
Charles Darwin School
Step into Dance Contemporary Company
City and Islington College
Townley Grammar School
Coombe Wood School
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.
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.
St Marylebone School
Ravens Wood School
Harris Girls’ Academy Bromley
Highams Park School
Charles Darwin School
Step into Dance Contemporary Company
City and Islington College
Townley Grammar School
Coombe Wood School
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.’
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.’
