About The Fonteyn
The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition is the Royal Academy of Dance's flagship annual event and it's one of the most prestigious ballet competitions in the world, attracting the finest young dancers trained in the RAD syllabus, from around the globe.
The competition is dedicated to promoting and rewarding standards of excellence in young ballet dancers internationally. This is achieved by offering candidates the unique opportunity to work with world-renowned choreographers and professionals, as well as the chance to perform on an international stage.
Past Medalists
Past medalists have gone on to work for some of the best ballet companies around the world, including: The Royal Ballet, Royal Ballet of Flanders, The Mariinsky Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Canada, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Estonia National Ballet, Northern Ballet, Australian Ballet, English National Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and The Hong Kong Ballet.
For many, their careers have been long and varied as directors, artistic directors, ballet masters, teachers, administrators, dance critics, choreographers, TV producers and directors.
Held exclusively in London until 2001, the 'Genée' (now The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition) is staged around the world thanks to the efforts of our members.
History
The competition started in London in 1931, when the Adeline Genée Gold Medal was awarded to Felicity Garratt, and became known as ‘the Genée’.
The award continued to progress and develop into a competition format and remarkably it has taken place almost every year since 1931, even during the Second World War, and is now a truly global event.
Other medals were later added: the silver (1934), bronze (1956), and gold and silver for male dancers (1938).
In May 2019, the RAD renamed the 'Genée' to 'The Fonteyn' in honour of our longest-serving president, Dame Margot Fonteyn, who is regarded as the greatest ballet dancer of her generation. We continue to honour our first president with the Adeline Genée Gold Medal for the best dancer.
In 2002 the RAD took the decision to hold the competition outside London for the first time, taking it to Australia where Sydney Opera House played host to a record number of candidates. Following that success, the competition has now been hosted around the world.
The Legacy of Dame Margot Fonteyn
The RAD acknowledges with gratitude the support of the Dame Margot Fonteyn Scholarship Fund, the only charity bearing her name, which will provide significant additional support to the competition to mark the name change.
The Fund also continues its ongoing support of candidates at the competition, pledging an increased number of bursaries per annum for the next five years, and continuing to present the audience choice award in Dame Margot’s name.