British and Italian dancers have triumphed in the Royal Academy of Dance’s annual Phyllis Bedells Bursary. Taking place on 20 March, the Bursary was awarded to 15 year old Ryan Felix from the UK, established to encourage talented young dancers to further their career in classical ballet. Past winners of the prestigious competition have gone on to dance with renowned ballet companies including the Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Bèjart Ballet, London City Ballet and the Dutch National Ballet.
Following last year’s introduction of a new Choreographic Award, Italian dancer Greta Zappettini also triumphed, aged 14. A total of 14 candidates from the UK, Canada, Indonesia, Thailand and Italy took part in the Bursary. In addition to the Classical Repertoire Variations, candidates each performed a variation choreographed by themselves, their teacher or a peer to a piece of music of their choice. The Bursary is named after Miss Phyllis Bedells, founding member and Vice President of the Royal Academy of Dance.
Ryan Felix began his RAD training at Harlequin Stage School with Edward Bury. After gaining a scholarship for Elmhurst School for Dance, he studied with Phillip Pegler, Denise Whiteman and Sarah Dickinson. He is currently studying classical ballet with David Yow and has passed his Intermediate and Advanced 1 with distinctions; he is working towards his RAD Advanced 2 qualification. For his Classical Repertoire Variations, Ryan’s performance came from Giselle, Act 1, Peasant Pas de Deux, Variation II.
Awarded annually, the Phyllis Bedells Bursary has a value of up to £1,000, to be used to further the winner’s training: it can be offset against existing tuition fees or material and equipment. The Bursary is open to members of the RAD who have passed the RAD Intermediate and the Advanced 1 examination (Advanced 1 with Distinction). Valerie Aitken chaired the panel of judges and was joined by Jonathan Cope CBE, Répétiteur with the Royal Ballet.