Discover Ballet in Hong Kong 2006

Hong Kong to host Genée International Ballet Competition 2006

For the first time ever the Genée International Ballet Competition is to be staged in Hong Kong from 26 August – 3 September. Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts will play host to one of the world’s most prestigious ballet competitions for young ballet dancers. The Genée International Ballet Competition is the flagship Adding to the excitement of this milestone event, acclaimed young choreographer Yuri Ng; himself a former Geneé gold medalist (1983), has agreed to create two exclusive variations (male and female) for the competition.

The Genée is a demanding competition and attracts the finest young ballet dancers aged 14 – 19 years old from all over the world. It offers a unique opportunity to work with and learn from world-renowned teachers and choreographers and the chance to dance on the best international stages. Candidates will spend five days in coaching sessions with Lynn Wallis, the Academy’s Artistic Director and choreographer Christopher Hampson, before competing in the Semi-finals on Thursday, 31 August and Friday, 1 September. The Judges will select a short-list of Finalists to compete for a coveted medal in the Final on Sunday, 3 September

Dr Stanley Ho, lead sponsor of this year’s milestone event stated:

“The holding of the 2006 competition in Hong Kong will again acknowledge the great international appeal of ballet, and will attract many of the world’s best young dancers. It is an honour and a pleasure for me to sponsor the 2006 Genée International Ballet Competition staged here to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the founding, in 1956, of Royal Academy of Dance in Hong Kong.”

The Academy is also delighted to announce that John Meehan, newly appointed Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet, will sit on the judging panel, adding to the impressive list of eminent professionals supporting the 2006 competition.

Contact Details
Sarah Ball / Melanie Adams
Tel: +44 (0)207 326 8044
Tel: +44 (0)207 326 8003
Fax: +44 (0)207 924 2311
Email: sball@rad.org.uk
Email: meladams@rad.org.uk

Notes for Editors

Sponsors

The Royal Academy of Dance is happy to have the support and sponsorship of:

Dr Stanley Ho, Lead Sponsor
Mrs Ina Ho
Mr David Li, Bank of East Asia

Renaissance Harbour View Hotel, official hotel for faculty and VIPs
Harbour View International House, official hotel for candidates

The British Council, Commissioned Choreographer sponsor

Semi-finals
Thursday, 31 August & Friday, 1 September 2006
Drama Theatre, HKAPA
Tickets for the Semi-finals are now on sale

Final
Sunday, 3 September 2006
The Lyric Theatre, HKAPA
5.30pm Doors open, 6.00pm Performance starts

The Genée International Ballet Competition was first staged in 1931 and is named in honour of Dame Adeline Genée, co-founder and first President of the Royal Academy of Dance.
In 2002, the competition was held at the Sydney Opera House, the first time the competition had been held outside of London

Medals

The Royal Academy of Dance is a global organisation with 14,500 Members, a worldwide staff of 153 and 173 examiners. With offices in 82 countries and headquarters in London, it is the largest ballet examination and teacher training institution in the world.
Its mission is to promote knowledge, understanding and practice of dance internationally. It seeks to accomplish its mission through examining students of ballet, educating and training teachers of dance and promoting the study and performance of dance.