PRESS STATEMENT

Monday, 26 March 2007

Genée International Ballet Competition 2007

It is with great regret that the Royal Academy of Dance announces the cancellation of the 2007 Genée International Ballet Competition which was due to be staged in Leeds in October.  The competition, which is staged annually, is increasingly dependent on sponsorship and in the light of a very disappointing response to the many approaches that have been made, the financial resources required to fund an event of this scale and calibre have not been secured.   In view of this situation, the Academy’s Trustees did not feel they had any alternative but to cancel the event.  

The decision has not been taken lightly and will be a great disappointment to many people, in particular the candidates who have been working so hard, under the guidance of their teachers with a view to taking part in this year’s competition. To those and to the organisers of “Celebrate Leeds”, the festival of which the Genée International Ballet Competition was to be a part, the Academy expresses its profound regrets.

The Royal Academy of Dance is determined to ensure that neither individuals nor organisations will be in any way disadvantaged by the decision to cancel this year’s competition, which is why it has been taken now, before plans and bookings had to be confirmed. Full refunds will be given to those who have already booked tickets.

The Academy and its Trustees have expressed their commitment to the future long-term success of this immensely popular and important international ballet competitionand will be working tirelessly to that end.                                      

Contact Details

Vassiliki Spyropoulou / Melanie Adams
Tel: +44 (0)207 326 8044
Tel: +44 (0)207 326 8003
Fax: +44 (0)207 924 2311
Email: vspyropoulou@rad.org.uk / meladams@rad.org.uk

Notes for Editors

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. The competition is dedicated to promoting and rewarding standards of excellence in young ballet dancers internationally.  In 2002, the competition was held at the Sydney Opera House, the first time the competition had been held outside of London. 

The Genée International Ballet Competition costs approximately £90,000 to stage and relies heavily on sponsorship (£60,000) on revenue from ticket sales (£20,000) and candidate fees (£10,000).

The Royal Academy of Dance is a global organisation with 13,500 Members, a worldwide staff of 153 and 173 examiners. With offices in 79 countries and headquarters in London, it is the largest ballet examination and dance teacher training and education 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.