GENEE FINALISTS ANNOUNCED!
The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) has announced the Finalists of the Genée International Ballet Competition 2017, held in Lisbon, Portugal. Fifty-two candidates from 14 countries have been whittled down to 11 Finalists, all set to compete in the first Genée Final to be held in Portugal.
2017 Genée International Ballet Competition Finalists:
• Lucy Christodoulou, Australian dancer aged 17 trained by Annette Roselli, Annette Roselli Dance Academy
• Ellis Derrick, British dancer aged 16 trained by Linda Lowry, The Linda Lowry School of Ballet
• Janice Felices, British dancer aged 18 trained by Denise Whiteman, Elmhurst Ballet School
• Lin Fujimoto, Japanese dancer aged 18 trained by Denise Whiteman, Elmhurst Ballet School
• My Le, Australian dancer aged 15 trained by Janine McGrath, Classical Coaching Australia
• Jemima Scott, New Zealander dancer aged 15 trained by Allison Pond, Wellington Dance and Performing Arts
• Kayla Van Den Bogert, Australian dancer aged 15 trained by Karen Ireland, Karen Ireland Dance Centre
• Harris Beattie, British dancer aged 18 trained by Karen Berry and Resmi Malko, Danscentre
• Ryan Felix, British dancer aged 17 trained by Sarah Dickinson, Elmhurst Ballet School
• Matthew Maxwell, Australian dancer aged 15 trained by Annette Roselli, Annette Roselli Dance Academy
• Isaac Shaw, Australian dancer aged 17 trained by Marie Walton-Mahon, Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy
The Choreographic Award was won by Harris Beattie. In addition to being selected as a Finalist, the judges felt that his solo Torn (choreographed with his teacher Karen Berry) demonstrated the highest standard of choreography within the Dancer’s Own category.
After two days of semi-finals, judged by former director of The Royal Ballet, Dame Monica Mason, former artistic director of the Royal Academy of Dance; Lynn Wallis OBE; and artistic director of Scottish Ballet, Christopher Hampson, the Finalists now compete for gold, silver and bronze medals. In addition to the three medals, which come with prize money of up to €5,000 for a gold medal; the Margot Fonteyn Audience Choice Award will also be given.
The Final will be held at Teatro Camões on Saturday 16 September.
(Photo above by Bruno Simao.)