28 March 2007 

Seal of Approval for New Young Dancers

Candidates receive Solo Seal in the Royal Academy of Dance spring examinations

On Thursday, 8 March 2007, 4 candidates were awarded the Solo Seal, the final examination in the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Vocational Graded Syllabus and the pinnacle of RAD examination achievement. 

Candidates performed in front of two judges and an audience of teachers, parents and invited guests.  Those awarded with the qualification are: Laura-Jane Gibson (No 5) Elmhurst Ballet School, 2006 Genée International Ballet Competition semi-finalist Yuma Kozuki (No 1) Elmhurst Ballet School, 2006 Genée International Ballet Competition semi-finalist Shoko Tamai (No 9) Central School of Ballet and the 2006 Genée International Ballet Competition Gold medallist Valentino Zucchetti (No 2) Royal Ballet School.

Held 3 times annually at Academy headquarters and at venues worldwide, candidates perform a sequence of variations in which they must show a high level of accomplishment and the ability to perform contrasting styles, qualities and response to atmosphere.

This sessions’ judges included Chair of the Royal Academy of Dance International Board of Examiners Paula Hunt ARAD and dancer, choreographer and teacher Alfreda Thorogood ARAD PDTC Dip.

Previous Solo Seal recipients have gone on to perform in professional Companies, choreograph and teach all over the world.

-ENDS-

For any further information or images please contact:

Charlotte Slayford

Press Office

Royal Academy of Dance

Tel: 020 7326 8002

Email: cslayford@rad.org.uk

Notes for Editors

Royal Academy of Dance is a global organisation with 13,500 members in 83 countries. Our mission is to promote the knowledge, practice and understanding of dance internationally. We seek to accomplish this through promoting dance, educating and training students and providing examinations to set standards and reward achievement. We are a Registered Charity in England No. 312826

The Solo Seal Award is the final examination of the Royal Academy of Dance and candidates must have been successful in the Advanced 2 Vocational Graded examination in order to enter the Award. The Solo Seal takes the form of a performance in front of a panel of two judges with an invited audience of teachers, parents and other guests. The Panel will consist of a Vocational Graded Examiner and professional dancer (or retired dancer) from a ballet company, the latter approved by Royal Academy of Dance Artistic Director Lynn Wallis