Weston_super_Mare

The last of four regional heats of the Fonteyn Nureyev Young Dancers Competition took place at The Playhouse, Weston-super-Mare, on Sunday 10 February.

The three young dancers selected from the South West, Wales and Channel Islands heat will now compete for the “Young Dancer 2008” title in the Final, to be held in London on April 13 at the Bloomsbury Theatre, joining the finalists already chosen from the Woking, Manchester and Birmingham heats.

Held biennially, the Fonteyn Nureyev Young Dancers Competition is the Royal Academy of Dance flagship national event, presented in association with the Rudolf Nureyev Foundation, the Rudolf Nureyev Dance Foundation, the Music Ballet and Opera Trust and with the generous support of International Dance Supplies.

Hundreds of young dancers have entered the competition and more than forty competed in Weston-super-Mare for only three places (two in Level 1, one in Level 2) in the Final.

The aspiring young dancers performed in front of an audience of family, friends, dance professionals and dance enthusiasts. At both levels, (Level 1: 10-11 yrs, Level 2: 12-13 yrs) they competed in a classical class, lead by RAD Registered Teacher Jill Firth. Each candidate then performed variations choreographed exclusively for the competition by renowned choreographer Gillian Lynne CBE (Cats, Chitty Chitty, Bang Bang).

Sarah McIlroy, Principal Dancer, English national Ballet, and Christopher Hampson, world-renowned Choreographer, who acted as guest judges in the South West, Wales and Channel Islands heat, admitted they had a difficult task as all performances were of high standard.

Christopher Hampson said,

“It is a huge responsibility for a dancer to come on stage and express so many different emotions; we have seen great performances today”

On the overall Competition, Sarah McIlroy commented,

“This Competition is a wonderful occasion for young dancers to experience how it feels to perform solo on stage. When I was their age, I decided to become a dancer after performing live, so I can relate to all the candidates’ excitement. I am thrilled that the Royal Academy of Dance is providing them with such a unique opportunity”

Finalists

Level 1

Candidate No. 11: Hannah Gunningham, age 11, Bristol– taught by Miranda Beard Candidate No. 25: Amelia Reid, age 12, Dawlish, Devon– taught by Louise Knapman

Level 2

Candidate No. 16: Oliver Taylor, age 13, Paignton, Devon – taught by Pollyanna Buckingham

The Academy would like to thank all of the candidates, their teachers and all who attended the event and supported the young dancers and the Academy on the day, without whom events like this could not take place.

All photos: Brian Slater