Zoom in on The Fonteyn

Zoom in on The Fonteyn is an insightful series of online interviews and reflections held over Zoom, relating to The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition. The series is aimed at future candidates for The Fonteyn, RAD teachers, members and the wider dance community.

Over the 9-week series, we heard from international dance professionals like Dame Darcey Bussell DBE, Sir Anthony Dowell, Stella Abrera, Marianela Nunez, Dame Monica Mason DBE, Mlindi Kulashe, and many more. They discussed what they value in dance, preparing for your own performances, Margot Fonteyn, the person and the performer, dancing Frederick Ashton’s choreography and their own competition experiences.

Videos

Week 1 - From Studio to Stage (highlights)

In our first video, RAD Artistic Director, Gerard Charles, speaks with Lynn Wallis OBE (former Artistic Director of the RAD), David Nixon OBE (Artistic Director…
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Week 2 - A Dancer’s Journey (highlights)

This week's video features professional dancer, Mlindi Kulashe. Mlindi took part in the Genée International Ballet Competition in 2009 and 2011 where he won the…
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Week 3 - Creating a Solo (highlights)

Gain expert insights on artistic considerations when preparing a new piece of work, including choreography, music selection, and what judges and audiences may look for.…
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Week 4 - Fonteyn the Person (highlights)

We know Dame Margot Fonteyn as the greatest ballet dancer of her generation and now you can learn more about what this very famous person…
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Week 5 - Fonteyn the Artist (highlights)

‘The moment she came on stage, you couldn't take your eyes off of her'. Recordings rarely capture the magic of a live performance but this…
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Week 6 - There’s More to it than Winning (highlights)

Hear from previous competitors about their experience of taking part in the competition; what they gained from the experience, and how it has made a…
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Week 7 - Ashton's Choreography (highlights)

The work of Sir Frederick Ashton has long been a feature in the repertoire list of the Genée competition, now named The Fonteyn. His distinctive…
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Week 8 – Solo Impressions (highlights)

Hear from Stella Abrera (Former Principal, America Ballet Theatre), Sean Bates (First Soloist, Northern Ballet) Dame Darcey Bussell DBE (President, Royal Academy of Dance), Celine…
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Week 9 – The Fonteyn Experience (highlights)

Hear from previous medallists about their experience of taking part in the competition from preparation to finals; how their careers have developed from the competition; and what they…
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RAD Members

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Acknowledgements

With thanks to the following individuals for giving their time to be part of this series: Stella Abrera, Sebastian Aguinaga-Moreno, Sean Bates, Deanne Bergsma, Dame Darcey Bussell, Tim Coleman, Sir Anthony Dowell, Tayla De Bie, Wayne Eagling, Annette Ellis, Celine Gittens, Christopher Hampson, Drew Hedditch, Mlindi Kulashe, Donald MacLeary, David McAllister, Dame Monica Mason, Lachlan Monaghan, Georgia Nikolopoulou, David Nixon, Marianela Núñez, Dame Merle Park, Montana Rubin, Amber Scott, Wayne Sleep, Jonathan Still, Alfreda Thorogood, and Lynn Wallis.