5 July 2019 14:35

Julia Farron, OBE dies at 96

It was with deep sadness that we acknowledge the death of Julia Farron. She died peacefully earlier this week at the age of 96. There will be a small private family cremation, with a memorial service in the Actor’s Theatre planned for later in the year where the wider dance community will be invited to attend and pay their respects.

About Julia

Julia made a significant contribution to both the Royal Academy of Dance and to the dance profession. In 1931 she became the first pupil to receive a scholarship to study under the direction of Dame Ninette de Valois at the then, Vic-Wells Ballet School. She made her professional stage debut in a pantomime in 1934, aged twelve. In 1936 she joined the Vic-Wells Ballet, becoming the company's youngest member, aged fourteen. After a hugely successful career she retired in 1964 and was appointed as a teacher at the Royal Ballet School. She became Director of the Royal Academy of Dance in 1983. She retired in 1989, with a Fellowship (FRAD). In 1994, the Royal Academy of Dance also awarded her the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award for outstanding services to ballet.

Julia was awarded an OBE in the 2012 New Year Honours for services to ballet.