History of the RAD: The 2000s
2000
On 13 December 2000, Her Majesty The Queen consented for the ‘Royal Academy of Dancing’ to change its name to the ‘Royal Academy of Dance.’ In preparation for the 21st century, newly appointed Chief Executive Luke Rittner launched an all-encompassing strategic review of the RAD’s activities.
Photo: Luke Rittner and Senior Management colleagues pictured shortly after Rittner’s appointment as Chief Executive in September 1999. (L-R) Andrew Ward, Lynn Wallis, Joan White and Richard Thom.
2002
A direct result of the Strategic Review was the ‘International’ Genée Ballet Competition being held overseas in alternate years beginning in 2002 when it was held in Sydney, Australia.
Genée Candidates in Athens 2004. Photo by Helen Grigariadou.
2004
Shirley Baker, then National Administrator for the Royal Academy of Dance in New Zealand (1984-2004), established a scholarship fund to support ‘young dancers of outstanding ability and potential.’ The 14+ Dance Scholarship Foundation was set up in 2004, whereby 14 donors would each contribute $2,500 over 10 years to enable scholarships to be offered from 2004-2013. 14 people donated – hence the name!
Photo: Shirley Baker with the first winner of 2004, Karen Nanasca.
2007
The Step into Dance programme was piloted in 2007 in partnership with the Jack Petchey Foundation. The programme offers regular dance classes in a range of styles from street dance and hip hop to ballet across London and Essex. Step into Dance celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2017.
Photo by Foteini Christofilopoulou.
2009
The Genée International Ballet Competition was held in Singapore for the first time. The event hosted competitors from many different countries and the Finals was performed to a full house of audience at the University Cultural Centre’s Concert Hall.
The 2009 Genée semi-finalists. Photo by Tan Ngiap Heng.
In Brazil, the focus in the 2000s became the qualification of teachers and since then the Summer Schools have changed the focus towards Teacher’s Courses, gathering as many as 300 teachers in one week.
With the introduction of the CBTS Programme in the country in 2009, more than 120 teachers have now registered.
Photo: Three generations of the Borges family are all registered RAD teachers: Lenira, Rosana and Mariana.