Royal Academy of Dance
The
Royal Academy of Dance (
RAD) was established in
1920 by a group of professional dance artists brought together by Philip Richardson, editor of the
Dancing Times and including:
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Adeline Genée -
Denmark*
Tamara Karsavina -
Russia*
Lucia Cormani -
Italy *
Edouard Espinosa -
France*
Phyllis Bedells -
EnglandRepresenting the principal dance training methods of the time the group formed the
Association of Teachers of Operatic Dancing in Great Britain. Over the next fifteen years the Association grew in size and influence and which lead to the granting of a royal charter. At the last
Privy Council Meeting of
King George V in
1936 the Association became the Royal Academy of Dancing. Their first premises was in Holland Park Road. In 1972 they moved to their current location at Battersea.
In
1997 The Benesh Institute, international centre for
Benesh Movement Notation, was amalgamated with the Royal Academy of Dancing. RAD dancers are known for their careful placement and alignment.
With over 15,500 members in 82 countries the Royal Academy of Dance is one of the largest and most influential dance education and training organisations in the world. Members receive a monthly magazine "Dance Gazette". It is the largest classical ballet examining body in the world. Over 200,000 candidates take RAD examinations each year. Accredited RAD examiners travel around the world to give examinations at dance studios and centers.
The RAD offers two distinct syllabi: the graded syllabus and graded vocational syllabus. The graded syllabus includes
classical ballet, free movement, and
character dancing, and includes pre-primary, primary, and grades one through eight. Advanced students who wish to pursue a career in dance, either as a performer or dance teacher, switch to the vocational syllabus around the age of 11 or 12, usually after completing grade four or five in the regular graded syllabus. The graded vocational syllabus requires more rigorous training and includes dancing on
pointe.
In order to teach the RAD method, instructors must have passed at least the Elementary level examination and must take RAD-sponsored courses in
dance science. The RAD syllabus is only available to RAD members, but it generally includes
barre and center exercises,
enchainements, a short dance, and
character dancing.
The annual Genée award has been made since 1980, for dancers aged 18 or 19, organised by the R.A.D. It is usually held in London. In 2004 gold medals were awarded to Alexander Jones and Ayako Ono. In addition gold medallists receive 7,500 Euros. Many gold and silver medallists go on to join the
Royal Ballet, London.
In 2005 Dame Antoinette Sibley announced a new award, the Fonteyn Nureyev Young Dancers Competition, for people aged 10 to 13. It is planned to hold the first competition in 2006 in the
Lowry Centre, Salford.
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Michelle Yeoh - actress
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Ballet*
Benesh Movement Notation*
Royal Academy of Dance UK
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Royal Academy of Dance Canada
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Royal Academy of Dance Australia
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Royal Academy of Dance New Zealand
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Royal Academy of Dance South Africa
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Royal Academy of Dance Brazil
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Royal Academy of Dance Germany
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Radacadabra RAD website for children aged five to ten
