The RAD and The Frederick Ashton Foundation partner for The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition
Image credit: Fonteyn and Ashton, © GBL Wilson collection on ArenaPAL
This year, as part of the prestigious Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition (The Fonteyn), the RAD and The Frederick Ashton Foundation will immerse young dancers and audiences in the legacy of one of the world’s most celebrated and influential choreographers—Founder Choreographer of The Royal Ballet, Sir Frederick Ashton.
The collaboration will integrate Ashton’s choreography into the global competition, allowing candidates from across the world to engage directly with his distinctive style, characterised by elegance, lyricism and expressive musicality. This initiative highlights the shared commitment of the RAD and The Frederick Ashton Foundation to honour ballet heritage and nurture excellence in the next generation of dancers.
As a key element of the partnership, each candidate will learn an Ashton variation—with exclusive access to a film of the solo being coached by an Ashton répétiteur, along with other resources from The Frederick Ashton Foundation. This experience will offer dancers the unique opportunity to connect with Ashton’s ballets and deepen their understanding and appreciation of his choreography.
Named after the RAD’s longest serving president, Dame Margot Fonteyn, The Fonteyn (previously known as The Genée) is one of the oldest and most prestigious ballet competitions in the world. It represents the pinnacle of achievement for young dancers trained in the RAD syllabus.
The Frederick Ashton Foundation, established to preserve and enrich Ashton’s legacy, plays a pivotal role in maintaining the ‘Ashton style’. By collaborating with the RAD, the Foundation extends its reach, ensuring that Ashton’s works continue to inspire new generations of dancers.
The Fonteyn 2026 will be held in London from 31 October until 8th November. The week will begin with coaching and semi-final sessions at RAD headquarters in London. The much-anticipated final will take place at the iconic London Coliseum in the West End.
