New bursaries for the Genée International Ballet Competition

The Royal Academy of Dance has launched new bursaries for performers from less privileged backgrounds to enter and compete in the renowned Genée International Ballet Competition. Named after the Academy’s current president, the Darcey Bussell Genée Bursaries will be worth at least £1,500 each and will be available to Genée applicants in need of financial support in order to enter and consequently travel to the competition, which is staged in a different city each year. The Genée is one of the world’s most prestigious competitions, on equal footing with the Prix de Lausanne and the Youth America Grand Prix. As discussed in many opinion pieces to date, ballet is not a cheap option, and for many families, their offspring's artistic success is more important than anything else which may also require monetary support within their own families. The bursaries will therefore provide funding for dancers from less wealthy backgrounds to widen the talent pool for the competition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz3SyzPhVHY Case studies which counter the above are not uncommon however, but the bursaries are hoped to make it easier for potential applicants to apply for the Genée if their financial circumstances do not permit them to. It is clear that this initiative will influence the individuals seen joining the world’s greatest ballet companies in the future, giving more young aspiring dancers to resources to help them succeed. Between five and 10 bursaries will be awarded each year for the next five years, and will cover successful applicants’ entry fees, travel expenses and associated costs. The Dame Margot Fonteyn Scholarship Fund is also offering one bursary of £2,000 per year over five years, which will be awarded alongside the RAD’s awards.