Genée International Ballet Competition
The Genée International Ballet Competition coming to Glasgow gave us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of this prestigious RAD event...
The Genée is the flagship event of the Royal Academy of Dance. Fifty-eight candidates from 14 different countries gathered in Glasgow from 20-29 September 2013 to endure nine days of intense training, sweat and stage fright in order to compete for the coveted gold, silver and bronze medals. To qualify for the event, the dancers are required to be aged 15-19 and have gained their Advanced 2 examination with Distinction.
After five days of coaching, followed by two days of Semi-finals, twelve finalists (nine female and three male) performed for a judging panel of top international ballet professionals. This included prima ballerina, and President of the Royal Academy of Dance, Darcey Bussell CBE, Director of The Royal Ballet Kevin O’Hare, and Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet Christopher Hampson. This was the first time the annual competition has been hosted in Scotland; it has previously been staged in Wellington, Cape Town, London, Singapore, Toronto, Hong Kong, Athens and Sydney.
Scottish medal winner...
We watched the finals at the Theatre Royal and were inspired by the outstanding performance standards. The judges awarded five medals and we were quite overwhelmed when Natasha Watson (17) was awarded a coveted Bronze medal. Natasha (pictured above with Amanda at the Semi-finals) is a former CSBS student who also won the level 2 Genée Dance Challenge in 2010 and now trains full-time at Ballet West in Taynuilt. According to judge Darcey Bussell, taking part in the Genée is a stepping-stone to a professional career in ballet.
A very busy weekend for CSBS...
As well as the main competition, there were 'Creative Spaces' events over the weekend. Our teachers and students attended a wide range of events including CPD for teachers in Character Dance and Body conditioning as well as talks and book signings with Christopher Hampson, Robert Binet and Darcey Bussell. Amanda was a chaperone for the semi-final candidates, general helper and the photographer for the weekend too.
It wasn't all hard work though as we also enjoyed the "Highland Fling" ceilidh with friends, colleagues from across Scotland, and distinguished guests including Lynn Wallis, Luke Rittner, Kenn Burke and Kerry Rubie.
You can view a few photos of us enjoying the Genée weekend on our Facebook page.
Incredible fundraising effort
The Genée competition is principally funded by RAD members in the host country. This year, UK-based fundraising for the Genée surpassed £45,000, with the RAD community in Scotland alone raising over £20,000. Known as the Challengenée, the fundraising campaign has embraced a wide range of activities - from performing ballet in onesies, dads dancing, regional RAD awards days, to a fundraising calendar featuring Scottish dance teachers and dancers in various stages of undress.
CSBS were enthusiastic fundraisers for the event as we took part in the 'Genée Uncovered' calendar, had students at RAD fundraising events, as well as Amanda photographing and selling photos of all RAD events and even Mrs Clark being sponsored to sit her Grade 7 ballet exam... and gaining Distinction!
Amanda is also a member of the RAD Regional Advisory Committee for Scotland and part of the sub-committee responsible for bringing the event to Glasgow. She was thanked at the ceilidh by Luke Rittner, RAD Chief Executive, and presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.