The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is a global organisation with 13,000 Members, offices in 79 countries and headquarters in London; it is the largest ballet examination and teacher education and training institution in the world.
Its mission is to promote knowledge, understanding and practice of dance internationally. It seeks to accomplish this through examining students of ballet, educating and training teachers of dance as well as promoting the study and performance of dance.
Although classical ballet is at its core, the Academy offers a far wider range of dance forms and works with renowned teachers and choreographers on a regular basis to ensure that delivery is always of the highest standard.
Established in 1920, to improve standards and re-invigorate dance training initially within the UK, the Academy supports and encourages its teachers to perfect their skills and pass this knowledge on to their students. There are currently over 1,000 students in full-time or part-time teacher training programmes with the Academy and each year, the examination syllabus is taught to more than a quarter of a million students worldwide.
The Academy maintains close links with all those involved in the industry, at every level. From the internationally recognised 'Faculty of Education' degree programmes; to those younger students participating in summer schools, at whatever stage, anyone with an appreciation of dance is able to participate in the work of the Academy.
As a membership organisation the RAD supports the advancement of dance and its members include professional dancers, training and qualified teachers, students, benefactors and friends.
To find out more about the range of services the Academy has to offer, join the RAD and 20,000 like-minded people to celebrate dance in all its forms at Stand 230 at MOVE IT 2010, the UK's biggest dance exhibition. Taking place from 12 - 14 March at Kensington Olympia, London.
Image by Christopher Wahl
Educating, Training & Qualifying Teachers
Every year some four hundred qualified teachers graduate from one of the many programmes available from the RAD and gain employment in one or more of the following fields: private and public sector education, theatre, community or leisure industries.
After a decade of delivering high-quality dance teacher education, the RAD recently launched its first Masters programme: the Master of Teaching (Dance) validated by the University of Surrey and accredited by the Teacher Development Agency for Schools. Other programmes on offer include The BA (Hons) in Dance Education designed to reflect the diversity of dance today and The Postgraduate Certificate in Education: Dance Teaching which arms students with the qualification they need to teach dance in schools and colleges for the 14-19 age range.
In addition, the Academy continues to value its heritage and offers a number of programmes and qualifications which focus exclusively on ballet. These include the BA (Hons) in Ballet Education (validated by the University of Surrey), the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies and the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance (both awarded by the RAD). The Professional Dancer's Teaching Diploma, which provides a career change opportunity for dancers coming to the end of their performing careers; is another programme in which ballet is central.
The RAD also offers summer schools and short courses for students, as well as a wide range of classes, suitable for all abilities. The RAD Dance School allows members of the general public to benefit from being taught by highly experienced Academy teachers. Classes are held at the headquarters in London and are designed to encourage creativity, discipline and independent thinking and are suitable for young people aged two and a half through to adults.
Step into Dance is a fully inclusive, open access dance programme. The programme offers weekly dance classes, after school, or within school hours to secondary schools in selected London boroughs. A partnership project between the Jack Petchey Foundation and the Royal Academy of Dance, the programme aims to widen participation in dance for students aged 11 to 16 years and is now successfully delivering the programme in 100 schools.
Throughout the year this programme offers optional Borough Events, allowing parents, friends and the wider community to share in the achievements of the young dancers. At the end of the Academic year, Step LIVE! showcases the work of school groups from all the participating boroughs at a London Theatre, this year the performance will take place at Sadlers Wells on the 11th July.
Image by F.A. Cleon Daniels
Raising the Barre for Achievement
The RAD is also an examinations board offering examinations in classical ballet suitable for everyone from young children startinrch at Kensingtg out in dance classes, to students aspiring to become professional dancers. There are no upwards age limits on any examinations or presentation classes and a syllabus has been designed for both male and female candidates at all levels.
The Royal Academy of Dance stresses the importance of every student having an achievable goal. This is measured either by an examination for students studying the Graded or Vocational Graded Examination syllabus or the option of a presentation class for Graded students.
Among the numerous events the RAD is involved with in 2010, The Genée International Ballet Competition, its flagship event is returning to London after five years. The coaching and Semi-finals will be held at RAD headquarters on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 November and the Final at Sadler's Wells Theatre on Sunday 21 November.
The é International Ballet Competition was first staged in 1931, named in honour of Dame Adeline Genée, co-founder and first President of the Royal Academy of Dance. As a competition it has become one of the most prestigious events of its kind and attracts many of the world's most brilliant and promising young dancers.
The Genée is a demanding competition and offers a unique opportunity to work with and learn from world-renowned teachers and choreographers as well as the opportunity to dance on the best international stages (previous competitions have been held in Australia, Athens, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore).
Dancers will compete for the coveted Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in front of an international audience and a jury led by the world-famous former prima ballerina, and Academy President, Dame Antoinette Sibley.
This January sees the biggest national dance competition ever to hit UK TV screens; Sky1's 'Got to Dance', hosted by Davina McCall. She is joined by West End star and actor Adam Garcia, Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Banjo, dancer and choreographer of street dance crew Diversity. RAD trained and winner of the RAD's 'Fonteyn Nureyev Young Dancers Competition 2008' Matthew Koon performed a stunning audition at Sky1's 'Got To Dance', as well as dance group Eclipse, who are also RAD trained.
Shows such as 'Got to Dance' and the BBC's 'So You Think You Can Dance' featuring Nigel Lythgoe and Arlene Phillips, one of the new 'Dance Champions' have reignited the public's love of this beautiful art form and heightened the profile of Dance in the UK and worldwide.
Dance is currently taking centre stage in contemporary popular culture aiding the RAD in its ongoing mission to raise awareness and knowledge of dance performance, education and training.
Image by F.A. Cleon Daniels
Step into Dance is a fully inclusive, open access dance programme. The programme offers weekly dance classes, after school, or within school hours to secondary schools in selected London boroughs. A partnership project between the Jack Petchey Foundation and the Royal Academy of Dance, the programme aims to widen participation in dance for students aged 11 to 16 years and is now successfully delivering the programme in 100 schools.
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