Phyllis Bedells Bursary

Named in honour of Phyllis Bedells, a founder member and Vice-President of the RAD, this bursary is awarded to young dancers who have passed the RAD Intermediate and Advanced 1 exams (Advanced 1 with Distinction).

This bursary, supported by the Mary Kipps Bequest, is awarded annually and has a value of up to £1,000 to be used to further the winner’s training. Payment can be offset against existing tuition fees or against material and equipment.

The bursary takes place in front of an audience and a panel of judges, and consists of:

• a non-syllabus class at Advanced 1 level
• followed by the performance of Dancer’s Own
• and the performance of one Classical Repertoire variation

The non-syllabus classical class is set by an appointed teacher, who is not be a member of the Judging Panel. A warm-up barre takes place before the Bursary class with the appointed class teacher.

Recognising the huge importance of nurturing and providing opportunities for creativity in young dancers, the Dancer’s Own solo, introduced in 2015, allows candidates to perform their own choreography between 1.00–1.30 minutes duration. A Choreographic Award is presented to recognise the best of the Dancer’s Own choreography, with a monetary prize of £250, thanks to a bequest from the estate of the late Dr Ivor Guest.