History of The Genée
From the Genée to The Fonteyn
The competition started in London in 1931, when the Adeline Genée Gold Medal was awarded to Felicity Garratt, and became known as ‘the Genée’. In May 2019, the RAD renamed the ‘Genée’ to ‘The Fonteyn‘ in honour of our longest-serving president, Dame Margot Fonteyn, who is regarded as the greatest ballet dancer of her generation.
We continue to honour our first president with the Genée gold medal for the best dancer. Other medals were later added: the silver (1934), bronze (1956), and gold and silver for male dancers (1938). The competition has taken place almost every year since, and is now a truly global event.
Held exclusively in London until 2001, the ‘Genée’ (now The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition) is staged around the world thanks to the efforts of our members.
In 2002 the RAD took the decision to hold the competition outside London for the first time, taking it to Australia where Sydney Opera House played host to a record number of candidates. Following that success, the competition has now been hosted around the world.
The RAD acknowledges with gratitude the support of the Dame Margot Fonteyn Scholarship Fund, the only charity bearing her name, which will provide significant additional support to the competition to mark the name change. The Fund also continues its ongoing support of candidates at the competition, pledging an increased number of bursaries per annum for the next five years, and continuing to present the audience choice award in Dame Margot’s name.
Many past winners of the Genée and The Fonteyn have become professional dancers with companies worldwide. For many, their careers have been long and varied as directors, artistic directors, ballet masters, teachers, administrators, dance critics, choreographers, TV producers, and directors.
Past medalists have gone on to work for some of the best ballet companies around the world, including: The Royal Ballet, Royal Ballet of Flanders, The Mariinsky Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Canada, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Estonia National Ballet, Northern Ballet, Australian Ballet, English National Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and The Hong Kong Ballet.
For many, their careers have been long and varied as directors, artistic directors, ballet masters, teachers, administrators, dance critics, choreographers, TV producers and directors.
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Learn more about The Fonteyn competition
The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition represents the pinnacle of achievement for young people trained in the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus, and it is dedicated to promoting and rewarding standards of excellence in young ballet dancers internationally.
The Fonteyn week consists of coaching sessions, semi-finals and a final performance during which medals and awards are assigned by a panel of judges.
Support The Fonteyn
The RAD is only able to present the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition with the support of generous sponsors and donors, as well as the vital income coming from ticket sales and competitor fees.
We need support to enable us to offer The Fonteyn to the talented ballet stars of tomorrow. If you are interested in becoming a supporter or sponsor of The Fonteyn, please get in touch by emailing development@rad.org.uk.