Birmingham

Six young dancers have added their names to the finalists who will compete for the “Young Dancer 2008” title, after the third of four regional heats of the Fonteyn Nureyev Young Dancers Competition took place at the Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham, on Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 February.

The six finalists will now join those already chosen from the Woking and Manchester Heats in the Final, to be held in London on April 13 at the Bloomsbury Theatre.

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, and with the generous support of International Dance Supplies and the Music, Ballet and Opera Trust .

Hundreds of young dancers have entered the competition and more than a hundred competed in Birmingham for only six places in the Final at each Level.

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 and member of the Academy’s Executive Committee, Karen Berry. Each candidate then performed variations choreographed exclusively for the competition by renowned choreographer Gillian Lynne CBE (Cats, Chitty Chitty, Bang Bang).

Marion Tait, Ballet Mistress, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Desmond Kelly, Assistant Director, Birmingham Royal Ballet who acted as guest judges in the Birmingham heat, were delighted with the candidate’s high standard performances.

Desmond Kelly said,

"I couldn’t think of a nicer way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I love to watch young people dance. They all deserve a prize, every single one."

On the overall Competition, Marion Tait commented,

"The candidates have been asked to demonstrate the qualities that make a great performer. Margot Fonteyn’s line and the way she drew an audience in with her eyes alongside Rudolf Nureyev’s dynamics and his ability to electrify an audience, are qualities that make great performers. It is very fitting that the competition is named in their honour. "

Finalists

Level 1:

Candidate number 10: Tess Corscaden, Age 12, St. Albans – taught by Nicola Bowden

Candidate number 18: Padua Eaton, Age 11, Kenilworth – taught by Barbara O’Rourke

Candidate number 44: Lauren McEneaney, Age 11, Bevere, Worcester – taught by Paula Dymock

Candidate number 49: Remy O’Brien, Age 11, Wheathampstead, St. Albans – taught by Nicola Bowden

Level 2:

Candidate number 1: Holly Adams, Age 13, Dormston – taught by Paula Dymock

Candidate number 17: Thomas Edwards, Age 13, Worcester – taught by Paula Dymock

All photos: Brian Slater