9 September 2024 08:15
We are thrilled to announce the winners of the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition 2024, one of the world’s most prestigious dance events, staged at His Majesty’s Theatre in London.
Photo: Martin Bell. From Left-Right: Ernesto Young, Antonia Maria Cramb, Alessandra Ferri, Kevin O’Hare CBE, Dame Darcey Bussell, Alfie-Lee Hall, Lydia Hough.
After a week of intensive coaching and semi-finals, Dame Darcey Bussell, President of the RAD, awarded a total of 4 medals to the deserving winners:
- Gold: Antonia Maria Cramb aged 18 from Scotland, trained by Kerry Livingstone and Faculty of Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, currently training at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
- Silver: Lydia Hough aged 18 from the UK, trained by Beverley Spencer, Sebnem Önal and Viviana Durante, currently training at English National Ballet School.
- Bronze: Alfie-Lee Hall aged 18 from the UK, trained by Denise Whiteman and Elmhurst Ballet School Artistic Staff, currently training at Elmhurst Ballet School.
- Bronze: Ernesto Young aged 17 from Australia, trained by Hilary Kaplan and Archibald McKenzie, currently training at Alegria Dance Studios.
Lydia Hough also received the Margot Fonteyn Audience Choice Award.
This week-long competition attracted over 60 candidates from 14 countries around the world, who each took part in coaching sessions by Isabel McMeekan, Samira Saidi and Darren Parrish, and semi-finals judged by a panel comprising Dame Darcey Bussell, President of the RAD, Alessandra Ferri OMRI, Artistic Director Designate of the Wiener Staatsballett and Jose Alves, former Senior Artist at Ballet Black. For the final, finalists performed before a panel comprising Bussell, Ferri and Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet.
Speaking after the final, Alexander Campbell, Artistic Director of the RAD, said: “Congratulations to all The Fonteyn 2024 medallists and candidates. It’s been a true pleasure watching you grow throughout the week, and we hope that you have made memories to be treasured forever. We would also like to send our warmest thanks to The Fonteyn 2024 esteemed judging panel, faculty and producer Lynn Wallis for joining us this week. Thank you for sharing your expertise and for supporting and inspiring all the candidates.”