The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) announces the finalists of The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition 2024. Over 60 candidates from 13 countries across the world took part in The Fonteyn semi-finals this week, with 12 finalists from five countries making it through to compete in The Fonteyn 2024 final this Sunday at His Majesty’s Theatre, London.
The finalists are:
• Elisha Tan aged 16 from the USA, trained by Leigh Ann Koelsch and Nicola Simpson, currently training at English National Ballet School
• Lydia Hough aged 18 from UK, trained by Beverley Spencer, Sebnem Önal and Viviana Durante, currently training at English National Ballet School
• Alfie-Lee Hall aged 18 from the UK, trained by Denise Whiteman and Elmhurst Ballet School Artistic Staff, currently training at Elmhurst Ballet School
• Matthys de Beer aged 17 from South Africa, trained by Samantha Seyffert, Akos Sebastyen and Ivan Dinev, currently training at Twirlz Dance Academy / Tanz Akademie Zurich
• Samara Greig aged 18 from New Zealand, trained by Melinda Palmer, currently training at Rambert School of Ballet & Contemporary Dance
• Chelsea Potter aged 18 from Australia, trained by Denise Whiteman and Elmhurst Ballet School Artistic Staff, currently training at Elmhurst Ballet School
• Ernesto Young aged 17 from Australia, trained by Hilary Kaplan and Archibald McKenzie, currently training at Alegria Dance Studios
• Nicolas Pereira da Silva aged 18 from the UK, trained by Kerry Livingstone and Faculty of Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, currently training at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
• Christie Anderson aged 20 from the UK, trained by Angelique Harris, Sayward Ten Hove and Bethany Kingsley-Garner, currently training at Art of Motion International Dance Laboratory
• Tahlia Szumowski aged 17 from Australia, trained by Daniella Crismani, Daniel Gaudiello and Karen Donovan, currently training at Queensland College of Dance
• Sophia Hudson aged 18 from Australia, trained by Gilli O’Connell, Emma Jane Morton and Lisa-Maree Cullum, currently training at Tanya Pearson Academy
• Antonia Maria Cramb aged 18 from the UK, trained by Kerry Livingstone and Faculty of Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, currently training at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Ernesto Young won the Dancer’s Own Choreographic Award which was available to all candidates who choreographed their own Dancer’s Own variation. The inaugural Musicality Award was won by Christie Anderson. Both awards were judged by RAD Vice President Dame Monica Mason and choreographer Ashley Page OBE.
Through the generous support of RAD donors, six of the finalists were bursary recipients, meaning they could participate in the competition.
After three coaching days and semi-finals, judged by a panel comprising Dame Darcey Bussell, President of the RAD, Alessandra Ferri OMRI, Artistic Director Designate of the Wiener Staatsballett and Jose Alves, former Senior Artist at Ballet Black, the finalists will now compete for a chance to win the coveted Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, and for the Margot Fonteyn Audience Choice Award.
At the final on Sunday, finalists will perform newly choreographed commissioned variations created by The Fonteyn 2024 commissioned choreographer, Andrew McNicol, a freelance British choreographer and founding Artistic Director of McNicol Ballet Collective. Dancers will perform either the Holberg Variation or Granados Variation.
As well as the finalists taking to the stage, Northern Ballet dancers Harris Beattie and Saeka Shirai will perform an iconic pas de deux from Northern Ballet’s production of Romeo & Juliet.
The Fonteyn (previously known as The Genée) is one of the oldest and most prestigious ballet competitions in the world, representing the pinnacle of achievement for young dancers trained in the RAD syllabus.
Beginning in 1931, the competition has toured the globe and is dedicated to promoting dance, providing educational experiences and recognising excellence in young ballet dancers internationally. A launchpad for a professional career, The Fonteyn offers aspiring dancers the unique opportunity to work with world-renowned choreographers and professionals, as well as the chance to perform on an international stage. In addition to the medals and cash prizes all candidates will have the opportunity to be considered for a variety of tuition scholarship opportunities from renowned dance schools across the globe.
