16 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR

THE GENÉE INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION

2 CANADIANS IN FINALS

Toronto, ON: The GENÉE INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION today announced the Finalists for one of the world’s most prestigious ballet competitions.

The GENÉE INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION, the flagship event of London’s Royal Academy of Dance is currently making its North American debut in Toronto and attracts many of the worlds most brilliant and promising young dancers.

The 16 Finalists were selected from 53 candidates representing 11 countries.

The Finals takes place at Toronto’s The Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts this Saturday, August 23, 2008, 7pm.

The 16 Finalists are:

Chelsea Andrejic, Australia

Alexandra Bertram, Canada

Jasmine Brown, USA

Nicole Ciapponi, Canada

Yuki Hirota, Japan

Ariele Ribeiro, Brazil

Nana Shimada, Japan

Liana Vasconcelos, Brazil

Madeleine White, Australia

Ya Xuan Xu, China

Andrea Yorita, USA

Jack Bertinshaw, Australia

Jarrad Cramp, Australia

Yuma Kozuki, Japan

Hong Tao Lin, China

Aaron Smyth, Australia

Chaired by Dame Antoinette Sibley DBE, President of the Royal Academy of Dance, and named after the Academy's founder Dame Adeline Genée, the competition culminates in a tense and exciting Final in which the finalists try to outshine each other to win over the hearts and minds of the both the Judges and the audience. The best of the best have the opportunity to win a coveted gold, silver or bronze medal and walk away with up to $11,000 in prize money.

Winners of the GENÉE INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION have gone on to perform with leading international companies.  The National Ballet of Canada’s Chan Hon Goh was the first participant to win a medal for Canada (1988) and Céline Gittens was awarded the gold medal for her performance in 2005.

Royal Academy of Dance presents

THE GENÉE INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION

Saturday, August 23, 2008, 7pm

The Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts, 145 Queen Street West
Tickets are $50 - $160 and can purchased by calling 416.363.8231, toll-free 800.250.4653, or in person at the Four Seasons Centre www.geneeballetcompetition.com

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Grant Ramsay X222, grant@flip-publicity.com or

Carrie Sager X224, carrie@flip-publicity.com