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NEW!
Solo Seal Award
posted: March 2010
The Royal Academy of Dance invites you to experience the NEW! Solo Seal Awards Performance on Wednesday 21 April 2010 at Ryerson Theatre, 43 Gerrard St E, Toronto, Ontario at 1:00 pm. And, on Monday 3 May 2010 at the Michael J Fox Theatre, 7373 MacPherson Ave, Burnaby, British Columbia at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please contact Lenore Orantia, tel: 416.489.2813, ext 225 / toll-free: 1.888.709.0895.


2009 Genée Winners
posted: September 2009
Recognized as one of the ballet world's most prestigious competitions and the flagship event of the Royal Academy of Dance, the Genée International Ballet Competition finished in top form as the Final held at the National University of Singapore Cultural Centre drew to a close on September 12, 2009.

Coming out on top with the sought-after Gold medals were Australians; Claudia Dean for the females and Paul Russell for the males. A darling of the crowd, Dean also received the Audience Choice Award, an honour bestowed to the candidate who in the eyes of the audience deserves the top prize.

Other male medalists included Daniel Roberge of Australia, who was awarded the Silver medal and Takeaki Miura of Japan, who won the Bronze medal. Miura had previously trained with Canadian semi-finalist, Rena Sugiyama, at the Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Ballerinas, Nicola Wills-Jones and Daniela Oddi, both from Australia, won the Silver medal and Bronze medal respectively.

As this year's competition came to a fulfilling close, bringing to light the names of future ballet luminaries, and a successful stint in Singapore, the international ballet community keenly looks forward to the next Genée International Ballet Competition.


H1N1 Flu Update
posted: July 2009
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reason to believe that the current outbreak of H1N1 will return during the winter months of the northern and southern hemispheres.

Advice to RAD schools and teachers

RAD Teachers are recommended to seek advice from the relevant local health authority to determine how to recognize the symptoms of H1N1 and what to do when a pupil turns up for a dance class with suspected symptoms.

RAD Teachers should advise their pupils that if they have been sent home from school because another pupil has symptoms / has been diagnosed with flu or the pupil him/herself has the flu or flu-like symptoms, NOT to attend dance classes.

Schools and teachers are further advised to determine the terms and conditions under which fees are refundable.

For more information about H1N1 and how to deal with its symptoms, click here.

Supplemental Charter and Bye-Laws 2008
posted: May 2009
The New Supplemental Charter and Bye-Laws 2008 is now available online, click here to view!

Solo Seal
posted: January 2009
At the Members' Conference on 3 January 2009, new Solo Seal work was introduced to take effect in January 2010.

The new award requires students to perform three contrasting variations. From the 20th century, the Genée Port de Bras for females and Largo for males have been retained as a compulsory element of the examination in order to preserve the Academy's heritage. Students are also asked to choose one of three 21st-century variations. Choreographed by renowned international choreographers, these variations have been seen previously only by Genée International Ballet Competition audiences. The three contrasting variations have been selected to meet the stylistic and movement demands of today's choreographers and directors and to preserve these unique works, enabling many other dancers to perfom them in the future. Finally, students choose one of seven 19th-century classical repertoire variations. The list from which the candidate may select is extensive.

The new syllabus material will be available from the RAD/Canada office in early Spring 2009!

NEW!
Pre-Primary/Primary
in Dance Sales Items
posted: December 2008
The 25% discount, originally offered until 19 December on the Core Product range of Pre-Primary in Dance and Primary in Dance, will continue for Canadian orders into the New Year. Full Canadian pricing details will be available and posted on this site as soon as possible.

Canadians Win Silver & Bronze at 2008 Genée International Ballet Competition
posted: August 2008
Congratulations to Nicole Ciapponi of Surrey, British Columbia, who was awarded a silver medal, and Alexandra Bertram of Calgary, Alberta, who was awarded a bronze medal at the Genée International Ballet Competition on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto.

The Genée International Ballet Competition is the flagship event of the Royal Academy of Dance and one of the world's most prestigious events, attracting many of the world's most brilliant and promising young dancers.

While the gold medal was awarded to Aaron Smyth of Australia, along with a cash prize of $11,000; Nicole and Alexandra were also awarded cash prizes. Nicole will share $6,600 with Chelsea Andrejic from Australia, who also won silver at the event. And, although no bronze medals were awarded this year for male dancers, Alexandra will share $4,400 with Ya Xuan Xu of China, who was also presented with a bronze.

Additional medals went to male dancers, Yuma Kozuki from Japan and Hong Tao Lin from China, who were awarded silver.

Aside from the awarding of gold, silver and bronze medals, two inaugural awards were also presented on stage at the Four Seasons Centre in honour of the competitions North American debut: The Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan Award for Theatricality, which is awarded to the candidate showing the most 'theatricality' in performing Canadian choreographer Sabrina Matthews' commissioned piece. This is a unique award because it is open to all candidates, not just the Finalists. Sabrina Matthews chose Canada's own bronze medalist, Nicole Ciapponi as the recipient of this award, along with a $1,000 bursary.

The Bravo! Audience Choice Award offered an exciting opportunity for the audience to take matters into their own hands and choose their favourite dancer. Votes for the Bravo! Audience Choice Award were counted during the 2nd interval, and the award was presented to gold medalist, Aaron Smyth.

The Genée International Ballet Competition is dedicated to promoting and rewarding standards of excellence in ballet dancers internationally. This is achieved by offering aspiring dancers the unique opportunity to work with world-renowned choreographers and professionals as well as the chance to perform on an international stage.

Dame Antoinette Sibley, DBE, President of the Royal Academy of Dance; Karen Kain, Artistic Director, The National Ballet of Canada; Ashley Wheater, Artistic Director, Joffrey Ballet, Chicago and Rex Harrington, Artist-in-Residence, The National Ballet of Canada judged the competition.


2008 Geneé Finalists Announced
posted: 21 August 2008
The Genée International Ballet Competition today announced the Finalists for one of the world's most prestigious ballet competitions.

The 16 Finalists were selected from 53 candidates representing 11 countries.

The Finals takes place at Toronto's The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts this Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 7 pm.

The 16 Finalists are:

Chelsea Andrejic, Australia
Alexandra Bertram, Canada
Jasmine Brown, USA
Nicole Ciapponi, Canada
Yuki Hirota, Japan
Ariele Ribeiro, Brazil
Nana Shimada, Japan
Liana Vasconcelos, Brazil
Madeleine White, Australia
Ya Xuan Xu, China
Andrea Yorita, USA
Jack Bertinshaw, Australia
Jarrad Cramp, Australia
Yuma Kozuki, Japan
Hong Tao Lin, China
Aaron Smyth, Australia

Chaired by Dame Antoinette Sibley DBE, President of the Royal Acadmy of Dance, and named after the Academy's founder Dame Adeline Genée, the competition culminates in a tense and exciting Final in which the finalists try to outshine each other to win over the hearts and minds of both the Judges and the audience. The best of the best have the opportunity to win a coveted gold, silver or bronze medal and walk away with up to $11,000 in prize money.

Winners of the Genée International Ballet Competition have gone on to perform with leading international companies. The National Ballet of Canada's Chan Hon Goh was the first participant to win a medal for Canada (1988) and Céline Gittens was awarded the gold medal for her performance in 2005.

The Genée International Ballet Competition Finals will be held on Saturday, 23 August 2008 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen Street West. Tickets are $50 - $160 and can be purchased by calling 416.363.8231, toll-free: 1.800.250.4653, or in person at the Four Seasons Centre.

www.geneeballetcompetition.com



AGM
posted: June 2008
Click here to read Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Dance, Luke Rittner's address to Members following the Annual General Meeting.

New Benefit for Canadian Members
posted: February 2007
Royal Academy of Dance/Canada is pleased to announce a new benefit for all Canadian members which is designed to save you money on your automobile and home insurance.

We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with Waterloo Insurance (a member of The Economical Insurance Group) and Peel/J.D. Shaw Insurance to implement a Group Automobile & Home Insurance Program. A special Royal Academy of Dance group discount has been negotiated which allows for discounts and savings not otherwise offered in the regular insurance marketplace. For example in addition to the group discount, Waterloo Insurance will also waive any service charges that are normally charged for the convenience of paying through instalment plans. Most companies charge policyholders an additional 3% for this service. The Waterloo Insurance Program waives such fees to provide members with further convenience and savings.

Coverage under this program includes insurance for: *Automobiles - including private passenger cars, trucks, SUV's, vans and motorcycles; Home Coverage - including homes, tenants/renters, condominiums, seasonal/secondary residences, and Supplementary Coverage for boats & motors, jewelry, furs, musical instruments, sports equipment and more.

To receive a no obligation quotation simply call Waterloo Insurance at 1.866.247.7700, state you are a Royal Academy of Dance member and start saving today!

*Note: automobile insurance is not available in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba due to government run plans.

Progression from CBTS to BA (Hons) Dance Education Programme
posted: November 2006
The Faculty of Education offers a portfolio of eight teacher training programs. The programs are either univeristy and/or Royal Academy of Dance validated awards. We are pleased to announce that on completion of the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS) program, students may choose to further their studies by progressing to Level 2 of the BA (Hons) Dance Education program. In order to facilitate this progress students are required to take one specific access module. The BA (Hons) Dance Education program is taught by distance-learning and can be studied on a full or part-time basis. Further information about the program can be found in our prospectus at: http://education.rad.org.uk/prospectus-2007-2008.

In Memoriam
posted: September 2006
On September 8, 2006 Bettina Byers, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Dance (FRAD), passed away at the age of 97 in Victoria, British Columbia. Miss Byers moved to London, England in 1937 for full-time study and won a RAD choreograpny scholarship that enabled her to study with Ninette de Valois and Frederick Ashton. She returned to Toronto, two years later after her teacher, Miss Phyllis Bedells (one of the Academy's founders) encouraged her to spread the knowledge of the RAD to Canadian teachers. As such, she opened her own studio, the Academy of Ballet and began organizing exams on behalf of the RAD. In 1975, Miss Byers became the first Canadian to receive a Fellowship, which are awarded to Full Members of the Royal Academy of Dance who have given outstanding service to the Academy and dance in general. In 1966 she moved west to settle in Victoria where she remained in her home until July of this year. Miss Byers is survived by her nieces, Nancy and Barbara Byers and the family of her late nephew, David Byers.

New for Courses
posted: September 2006
Upon request, the Academy is please to arrange a Private Lesson for teachers or a Student Class (with teachers observing) during course tours in your area. Small groups of teachers may also request a Small Group Course; all of which are taught by an experienced and knowledgeable RAD course tutor, trained for this specialized work! For more information, email courses@radcanada.org

Canadians on a Winning Streak
posted: September 2006
Congratulations to Kostantyn Keshyshev, 19 and Fei Fei Ye, 18 of Vancouver, British Columbia who have both won silver medals at the 2006 Genée International Ballet Competition. Held in Hong Kong on 3 September 2006, this is the second consecutive year that Canadians have brought home a medal from the prestigious competition. It is also the third time that specifically a British Columbia resident has captured the hearts of the crowd. Fei Fei Ye won the special Audience Award at this year's Genée's; just as Celine Gittens had done last year (where she was also awarded a gold medal) and Alex Wong in 2003 (where he was awarded a bronze medal). Kostantyn and Fei Fei were trained by Lin Mei Fang and Lynnette Kelley of the Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver, BC. The Genée International Ballet Competition promotes and rewards standards of excellence in young ballet dancers aged 19 years and under from all over the world. It offers competitors the experience of working with world-renowned teachers and choreographers and the opportunity to dance at prestigious international venues.

Solo Seal Update
posted: October 2005
Teachers please take note that for those students attempting their Solo Seal exam, they will soon be required to achieve Distinction at the Advanced 2 Level. This change will take effect begining Fall 2006.

Gold for Canadian
posted: September 2005
Congratulations to 2005 Genée International Ballet Competition winner Celine Gittens, 17, of Richmond, British Columbia who is the first Canadian to ever win the Gold Medal as well as the special Audience Award at this prestigous event, which took place on September 11 at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London, England. Along with Ashley Werhun of Edmonton, Alberta, Elaina Pawelka and Hayley Maurice, both from Oakville, Ontario, Celine was one of four dancers representing Canada. Coached primarily by Artistic Director Choo Chiat Goh, as well as Lin Fang, Principal Staff of the renowned Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver, Celine has been enrolled on its Professional Program since 2001. The Genee competition promotes and rewards standards of excellence in young ballet dancers aged 19 years and under from all over the world. It offers competitors the experience of working with world-renowned teachers and choreographers and the opportunity to dance at prestigious international venues. The 2006 Genee International Ballet Competition will take place in Hong Kong.

How To Find A Pianist
posted: July 2005
Often it can seem like an endless search to find a pianist to play for both classes and examinations. However, here is a list for those wanting an edge on finding one:
  • Contact other teachers in your area to discuss the availability of pianists that they use.
  • Set up a pianist-sharing scheme. This gives more work to pianists, and encourages them to stay in the business.
  • Contact local piano teachers to see if they have any suitable music students.
  • Students at local universities, colleges and conservatories may be interested in helping out, even if music isn’t their first subject.
  • Churches can often be a source of working musicians including choirmasters and organists.
  • Many amateur dramatics groups that put on musicals and pantomimes will have contact with Rehearsal Pianists and Musical Directors.

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