History
History of the RAD
The RAD started life in 1920 as the Association of Teachers of Operatic Dancing in Great Britain, born out of a meeting of leading dance professionals arranged by Philip Richardson, former editor of the Dancing Times. With Adeline Genée chosen from among her peers as its first President, the Association launched its first syllabus in the same year and held its first exams in 1921.
1928 saw Queen Mary become the Association’s first patron and in 1936 it became the Royal Academy of Dancing (RAD) after receiving its Royal Charter from King George V. The following year, the RAD was awarded its coat of arms by the College of Arms.
You can also download The First 75 Years, an anniversary brochure published in 1995 which details our history to that point.
Select a decade to find out the RAD’s progress through history.
The 1920s
The first ballet syllabus, children’s exams, and our first royal patron.
The 1930s
The first edition of Dance Gazette, the inaugural Genée International Ballet Competition, and the Royal Charter.
The 1940s
Exams in New Zealand and Canada, and a move to Fairfield Lodge.
The 1950s
Queen Elizabeth II becomes patron, the first Coronation Award, and Dame Margot Fonteyn becomes president.
The 1960s
The first RAD Fellowship, Nureyev at the Gala Matinee of Ballet, and the first Solo Seal.
The 1970s
A move to Battersea Square, the first Professional Dancers’ teaching Certificate, and the first exams in Cyprus and Japan.
The 1980s
The Pre-Elementary and Elementary Examinations Syllabus are launched, and RAD Australia move in to a new head office.
The 1990s
The launch of RADiate, Dame Antoinette Sibley becomes president, and the RAD offers degrees for the first time.
The 2000s
A change of name for the RAD, a new chief executive, and the Genée goes international..
The 2010s
Dame Darcey Bussell is appointed president, the Silver Swans arrive, and the RAD takes part in a royal celebration.
The 2020s
The Duchess of Cornwall becomes patron, and the RAD celebrates its centenary.
RAD Voices
To celebrate our centenary in 2020, we celebrated the extraordinary people from the past and present who have shaped the RAD and continue to support and influence the future. Click below to watch a select few of our RAD Voices and hear their incredible stories.
“It’s such a proud moment for you all. And I know it’s been a tough year, but we mustn’t forget to celebrate.”
Dame Darcey Bussell, RAD President
“We are not only looking backwards at all the wonderful people who made this important milestone possible, we are also looking forwards, at the next hundred years.”
Gerard Charles, former RAD Artistic Director
The Fonteyn
The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition, named after RAD’s longest-serving president, Dame Margot Fonteyn DBE, is our flagship annual event.
The competition is dedicated to promoting and rewarding standards of excellence in young ballet dancers internationally. This is achieved by offering aspiring dancers the unique opportunity to work with world-renowned choreographers and professionals, as well as the chance to perform on an international stage.
Formerly known as the Genée, after the RAD’s first president Adeline Genée, the competition was renamed in May 2019 – a week after Margot Fonteyn would have turned 100. Margot Fonteyn is regarded as the greatest ballet dancer of her generation and was instrumental in shaping the RAD’s international expansion. The RAD will continue to honour its first president with the Adeline Genée gold medal for the best dancer.
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