A record number of nearly 90 international dancers from 14 nationalities are set to compete in the prestigious Genée International Ballet Competition in December 2016, when it returns to Sydney for the first time in over 10 years. Staged in a different city each year since 2002 – prior to this London saw each year’s event – the Genée will take place from 7-11 December.
The final on 11 December at the Sydney Opera House – additionally live streamed – will be judged by David McAllister, Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet, Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet, and Francesco Ventrigilia, Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Australian dancer, former Genée gold medal winner and current Principal of The Royal Ballet, Steven McRae, was recently announced as the Genée 2016 Ambassador. McRae won gold in 2002, and went on to perform with some of the biggest companies around the world as a guest artist in addition to his work with the Royal.
The Genée International Ballet Competition is now in its 85th year, named after the Royal Academy of Dance’s first president, Dame Adeline Genée, and renowned for launching the professional careers of young ballet dancers. Past medallists have gone on to join celebrated companies around the world including The Australian Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, The National Ballet of Canada, English National Ballet and The Royal Ballet. The Genée provides pre-professional dancers the opportunity to receive world-class coaching with renowned choreographers and teachers.
This year’s Commissioned Choreographer is Tim Harbour, Resident Choreographer of The Australian Ballet. He has created choreography specifically for the Genée which will be revealed for the first time in the competition final. Candidates also get to showcase their own choreography as part of the competition, with the chance to win a Choreographic Award. The competition boasts additional esteemed faculty including Lynn Wallis OBE, Artistic Director of the RAD, New Zealand-born Adrian Burnett, Leading Soloist with The Australian Ballet and international guest teacher, and Fiona Tonkin, Artistic Associate & Principal Coach of The Australian Ballet.