11 November 2019 14:00

RAD Australia has launched its centenary programme of events to mark 100 years of teaching the world to dance!

Rebecca Taylor, National Director RAD Australia has today announced how the Academy will mark its milestone anniversary in 2020 here in Australia.

Founded in 1920 by a group of leading professional dancers the RAD started life as the Association of Teachers of Operatic Dancing in Great Britain. Born out of a meeting of leading dance professionals arranged by Philip Richardson, former editor of the Dancing Times, Adeline Genée was chosen from among her peers as the first President. The Association launched its first syllabus the same year and the first exams were taken in 1921.

100 years later and the, now Royal Academy of Dance, syllabus is taught to a quarter of a million students worldwide with 1000 students a year undertaking study in our higher education programmes. Although the first exams were not taken in Australia until 1935, we remain the second largest RAD office outside the UK.

To celebrate the centenary the RAD is calling on its global community to host 100 events in 100 places and here in Australia we are thrilled to be hosting the first global event on January 3-4 in Adelaide. Boys DANCE 20 and Challenge is a two-day workshop and Challenge competition aimed at boys only. Part of the global Project B initiative, they will see RAD Artistic Director Gerard Charles adjudicate in Australia for the first time.  From there the RAD100 programme in Australia includes a dance education conference, public pop up events with student and special guest performances and the chance to come and try classes associated with initiatives such as Project B and Silver Swans our over 55's ballet programme. It will also feature Gala performances and many of our regional events around Australia will be supersized to reflect the significance of our centenary. New special events include a Pas de Deux Partnering masterclass and a special event marking the change of name for our flagship competition. From Genée to Fonteyn will take place just hours after the final of the inaugural Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition at the Royal Opera House in London and will feature live conversations with past Australian medal winners hosted by David McAllister AM.

Rebecca Taylor said,

RAD Australia is immensely proud of its role as facilitators of future artists, arts educators and arts audiences. With a foundation of 100 years’ experience, we will continue to work with, and for our members, to ensure we remain a world leader in dance education. Through this year long programme of events we welcome everyone to participate. We will celebrate a dancer’s lifelong journey with the RAD and will to continue to ignite joy and foster community through dance. 

To see the full programme of events head to the RAD100 page of this website and check back often for updates throughout the year.