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 under 17 years of age who have passed the RAD Intermediate and Advanced 1 exams (Advanced 1 with Distinction), but have not entered for the Advanced 2 exam.
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.
Recognising the huge importance of nurturing and providing opportunities for creativity in young dancers, the format of the Phyllis Bedells Bursary was updated in 2015.
To replace the set variations, a new section has been added. This will allow candidates to perform their own variation or one designed by their teacher or a peer and must be danced in pointe shoes by females. This continues the thread begun with the ‘Dancer’s Own’ element, introduced to the Genée in 2012, and echoes its format with a performance of 1.00–1.30 minutes’ duration.
A choreographic award was also added to the bursary, and is assessed on the following elements:
- Structure
- Dynamics of movement
- Use of space
- Depiction of theme or story
- Use of music and sound.
This provides an important step in the development of young dancers, with the opportunity for candidates to experience the artistic freedom to produce and perform their own creation to their own choice of music. It also promotes and rewards choreography as a distinct part of the creative process.
The bursary takes place in front of an audience and a panel of judges. It consists of a non-syllabus class at Advanced 1 level, followed by the performance of Dancer’s Own and one Classical Repertoire variation for both female and male students. The non-syllabus classical class will be set by an appointed teacher who will not be a member of the Judging Panel. A warm-up barre will take place before the Bursary class with the appointed class teacher.
2020
The 2020 bursary will take place on 29 March.
This year, we are pleased to announce that the RAD’s Artistic Director, Gerard Charles, will be teaching the bursary class.
For further information please contact Maria O’Connor, Student Activities Officer on +44 (0)20 7326 8024 or get in touch via the form below.