The Fonteyn

The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition, named after RAD’s longest serving president Dame Margot Fonteyn DBE, is our flagship annual event.

The competition is dedicated to promoting and rewarding standards of excellence in young ballet dancers internationally. This is achieved by offering aspiring dancers the unique opportunity to work with world-renowned choreographers and professionals, as well as the chance to perform on an international stage.

Formerly known as the Genée, after the RAD’s first president Adeline Genée, the competition was renamed in May 2019 – a week after Margot Fonteyn would have turned 100. Margot Fonteyn is regarded as the greatest ballet dancer of her generation, and was instrumental in shaping the RAD’s international expansion. The RAD will continue to honour its first president with the Adeline Genée gold medal for the best dancer.

Hear from previous medallists about their experience of taking part in the competition from preparation to finals; how their careers have developed from the competition; and what they wish to share with today’s aspiring dancers. This video features Stella Abrera (Former Principal, America Ballet Theatre), Celine Gittens (Principal, Birmingham Royal Ballet), Mlindi Kulashe (Leading Soloist, Northern Ballet), Lachlan Monaghan (Soloist, Birmingham Royal Ballet) and Amber Scott (Principal Artist, The Australian Ballet).