Looking back on Members’ Day 2025

Members’ Day 2025 opened with a warm welcome to everyone from our president, Dame Darcey Bussell, and our chief executive, Elizabeth Honer.

We leapt into the day with the An American in Paris masterclass in the Aud Jepson Theatre, led by James Butcher. The workshop was an energising blend of ballet and Broadway flair that did a fabulous job of bringing Gershwin’s music to life.

Expert coaching

Another standout moment was the live coaching observation from Birmingham Royal Ballet, where principal, Lachlan Monaghan, worked with Alisa Garkavenko on a solo from Cinderella, a rare behind-the-scenes experience that members thoroughly enjoyed.

The RAD’s artistic director, Alexander Campbell, hosted two sessions where he offered special insight into our vision for the future of dance education, talking everyone through the proposed new Creative Training and Musical Theatre Syllabi.

Dr. Jo Read’s trauma-informed teaching session resonated deeply with many, guiding members on how to go about creating emotionally safe and supportive dance spaces. Teachers also explored expressive possibilities for older adults in Marsha George’s Silver Swans musical theatre workshop, which blended gentle technique with theatrical flair.

AI in the arts

In a forward-thinking session, industry expert, Jocelyn Burnham, led a discussion on AI in the arts, challenging participants to think critically and ethically about these emerging technologies.

The day concluded with the RAD Awards Ceremony, a moving celebration of dedication, excellence, and impact across the global dance teaching community.