The Genée International Ballet Competition, named after RAD's first president Dame Adeline Genée DBE, is our flagship annual event.

Known simply as ‘the Genée’, it is one of the most prestigious ballet competitions in the world, attracting the finest young dancers trained in the RAD syllabus, from around the globe. Candidates receive a unique opportunity to work with renowned choreographers and teachers for five days before performing at the semi-finals, and then the final, where they compete for a range of medals.

The competition started in 1931, when the Adeline Genée Gold Medal was awarded to Felicity Garratt. Other medals were later added: the silver (1934), bronze (1956), and gold and silver for male dancers (1938). The Genée has taken place almost every year since, and is now a truly global event.

Our ability to stage the Genée International Ballet Competition is reliant upon the generosity of sponsors, RAD members and other donors, all of whom enable the Academy to offer the full 10-day experience – including all accommodation and food/drink – at the highly-subsidised rate of £500 per candidate.

Your donation makes a real difference, from enabling us to enlist the most experienced and inspiring faculty and judges, to funding career-boosting prize money, to ensuring that the candidate experience is second to none.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.