Competition Format

An outline of the format for the Genée competition.

Dancer’s Own

Candidates perform a variation of between 1.00 – 1.30 minutes (in pointe shoes for females), choreographed by themselves, their teacher or a peer, to a piece of music of their choice.

Classical Repertoire Variation

Candidates select one variation from the combined (19th and 20th century) Classical Repertoire Variation list to be performed at the semi-finals and Final.

Into the Unknown

Each year’s Commissioned Choreographer creates two (male and female) variations for the candidates in a section called ‘Into the Unknown’. These variations have their world premiere at the Final, although all candidates work with the choreographer, rehearsing them throughout the five days of coaching.

The format is as follows:

Semi-finals

  • Classical class
  • Dancer’s Own and Classical Repertoire variations

Final

  • Into the Unknown, commissioned variation
  • Dancer’s Own variation
  • Classical Repertoire variation

Competition schedule

Day 1 Evening Welcome reception and briefing for candidates
Day 2 All day Intensive coaching for candidates
Day 3 All day Intensive coaching for candidates
Day 4 All day Intensive coaching for candidates
Day 5 All day Intensive coaching for candidates
Day 6 All day Intensive coaching for candidates
Day 7 All day Semi-finals day 1
Day 8 All day Semi-finals day 2
Day 9 All day All-day rehearsals for finalists or rest & relaxation day for other candidates
Day 10 All day Dress rehearsals (morning) competition Final and post-Final reception