6 April 2004

An impressive group of talented young dancers competed for the coveted Phyllis Bedells Bursary, held at headquarters in Battersea Square, Monday April 5. And despite there being more candidates competing than ever before, including 5 male candidates and from as far away as Italy, Japan and Australia; there could be only one winner.

Out of the 34 young hopefuls, 16-year old Antoinette Brooks-Daw (centre) from Great Britain rose to the challenge of dancing the classical class and variations in front of an international audience and still managed to impress the three judges, who admitted to finding their task extremely difficult.

The judges also commended 15-year old Anna Fujita from Japan for her consistency throughout and 16-year olds Guy Burden and Daniel Mulligan from Great Britain for their ‘class-work’ and ‘potential’, respectively.

The Bedells bursary is the first step towards the Genée International Ballet Competition for promising young dancers under the age of 17. The bursary, of £1000 is awarded for continued training and development and is invaluable in terms of prestige.

Past winners of the bursary have gone on to be Genée International Ballet Competition bronze, silver and gold medallists and to dance with The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Maurice Bejart, London City Ballet and Dutch National Ballet.

Luke Rittner, Chief Executive of Royal Academy of Dance said:

“It has been a remarkable competition this year, both in terms of the quality and number of candidates involved; most befitting for the Silver Jubilee of the Phyllis Bedells Bursary and a true reflection of the unwavering friendship and support that Jean Bedells has shown the Academy over the years.”