Launch of a new scholarship for RAD members with Céline Gittens

Join us for the launch of the Céline Gittens Introduction to Dance Scholarship*, with Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal, and RAD alumni, Céline Gittens.

This new scholarship will be designed to provide financial support for RAD members to widen access, and introduce new students, to dance. During this session, as well as announcing details of the scholarship, Céline will be in conversation with Dame Darcey Bussell (President, RAD) and Gerard Charles (Artistic Director, RAD) to discuss their personal experiences of being introduced to dance. Members will also be allowed to share their ideas on introducing new people to dance.

During the day, Céline’s Odette and Odile costumes and headdresses will be on display in the marketplace.

*In the first year, this scholarship will be available to RAD members in the UK.

Biography: Céline Gittens

Céline was born in Trinidad and grew up in Vancouver, Canada. She started her dance training at the age of three, under the guidance of her mother, before joining the Vancouver Goh Ballet Academy in 2001. Céline achieved the Royal Academy of Dance Solo Seal in 2004 and the Genée Gold Medal and Audience Choice Awards at the Genée International Ballet Competition in 2005.

She joined Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2006 and became First Artist in 2009; Soloist in 2011; First Soloist in 2015 and Principal in 2016. She received an MPhil (Education) from the University of Birmingham in 2012.

In 2022, Céline Gittens was announced as International Ambassador for the Royal Academy of Dance.

Biography: Dame Darcey Bussell

Darcey Bussell is a former Principal with The Royal Ballet and the most famous British ballerina of her generation. During her nearly twenty years as a Principal, she won worldwide renown for her unique combination of having a tall and athletic physique whilst dancing with soft lyricism.

Darcey trained at The Royal Ballet School and joined the Company in 1988. She was promoted to Principal in 1989, aged just 20, after the premiere of Kenneth MacMillan’s The Prince of the Pagodas, in which she had created the lead role. Darcey retired from the Company in June 2007 with a performance of MacMillan’s Song of the Earth, broadcast live on BBC2. She came out of retirement to dance the ‘Spirit of the Flame’ at the 2012 London Olympics closing ceremony.

Darcey’s extensive broadcast work includes being a judge on Strictly Come Dancing, many documentaries for the BBC and she has presented The Royal Ballet’s worldwide cinema relays since 2014. She remains a Guest principal coach at The Royal Ballet and is Artist Laureate of the Royal Ballet School.

Her books include Darcey Bussell: Evolved, Darcey Bussell: A Life in Pictures, the ‘Magic Ballerina’ children’s series and her autobiography. In 2015 she founded DDMIX (diverse dance mix), a dance fitness charity, aimed at getting dance fitness to be part of PE in state schools.

Darcey became the President of the Royal Academy of Dance in 2012.