Last night, Monday 16 June, ballet stars from Britain’s top ballet companies came together to advocate for training dance teachers, who go on to inspire the dancers of the future, at a fundraising event, A Midsummer Night, produced by the charity Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and its President, Dame Darcey Bussell.
The event, which took place at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park in London, raised over £370,000 to support the RAD’s vital work in training dance teachers worldwide, with special performances and a live auction taking place.
Performances by Britain’s leading dance companies included: The Royal Ballet, Northern Ballet, Scottish Ballet, English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet. Ballet stars were also joined by famous names supporting the RAD’s charitable cause including Lulu, Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus.
Commenting on the event, RAD President Dame Darcey Bussell said: “Dance teachers played a pivotal role in my career. They dedicate their lives to supporting, educating and inspiring people from all walks of life. This event was not only a celebration of dance teaching and great dance teachers, but a reminder of the vital need for dance teachers in our society and the transformational impact they have on communities.”
For over 100 years, the RAD has nurtured generations of dance teachers. RAD teachers inspire generations of students around the world, instilling creativity, confidence, and a love of dance. On average, one RAD teacher will train 3,000 students in their lifetime – making them a powerful force for positive change in communities worldwide.
The benefit of dance teachers can be felt in communities across the country, with almost 3,500 RAD-registered dance teachers getting people moving and dancing in care homes, schools, village halls, leisure centres and dance schools.
Dance itself is a powerful tool for personal growth, self-expression and community building. The benefits of dance on young people in particular extend far beyond the studio, positively impacting physical health, emotional wellbeing, social skills, and academic success.
Angela Rippon, who presented the evening, said: “Dance is a much underrated “superpower”. It’s not only great for mental and physical health and wellbeing, it brings joy to everyone who “moves to music”. And dance teachers are the engine that drive the dance world. They don’t just teach, they mentor, support, encourage and inspire. What a great combination.”
Speaking of the importance of dance training, Federico Bonelli, Artistic Director, Northern Ballet, said: “I felt it was important to support this event, which brings our dance community together in support of the next generation of dance teachers around the world, who will continue to inspire, shape, and elevate the future of our artform. Northern Ballet is proud to support A Midsummer Night and to see two of our dancers perform as part of this special evening. The calibre of dance training provided through the RAD has a direct impact on the quality of dancers we are able to welcome into our company. Great teaching lays the foundation for great artistry.”
Michael Nunn, Co-Founder, BalletBoyz said: “The RAD was my original system of training when I started ballet training at the age of 15. Despite my complete lack of experience, they supported me as I fast-tracked through the system, from Grade 1 to Solo Seal. My experience with the RAD at such a young age, at the very beginning of a fruitful career, exemplifies the importance of excellent dance training: it has the potential to completely change lives”.
Performances from British ballet companies included:
• The Royal Ballet dancers Melissa Hamilton and Lukas Braendsrød who performed a piece from Craig Davidson’s Lightness of Being.
• Tzu Chao Chou and Miki Mizutani, dancers from Birmingham Royal Ballet, with kind permission by the Frederick Ashton Foundation, performed Ashton’s work Birthday Offering.
• Dancers, courtesy of The Royal Ballet, Matthew Ball and Joshua Junker, performed Christopher Wheeldon’s Us, commissioned by Ballet Boyz.
• Gareth Haw and Sangeun Lee from English National Ballet performed Swan Lake choreographed by Derek Deane.
• A specially commissioned performance choreographed by Kristen McNally, The Law of Love, was performed by Francisco Serrano and Leo Dixon with music from Ronnie Scott’s.
• Sarah Chun and Joseph Taylor from Northern Ballet performed a piece from Cathy Marston’s Jane Eyre.
• Scottish Ballet dancer Jessica Fyfe performed a piece from Christopher Hampson’s Cinderella.
The RAD is a registered charity that inspires the world to dance. Based in London, its global network extends to over 80 countries, reaching diverse communities everywhere to widen access to dance. The RAD is especially focused on including those who might not otherwise have the chance to take part, sharing the many benefits and wellbeing it brings.
The RAD would like to thank its sponsors: Mandarin Oriental, Diptyque, Dima’s Vodka, Lay & Wheeler, Memo Press, International Dance Supplies, Untold Japan craft Gin Byakudan, Harlequin.
