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Dateline: 14th September, 2005
After a tough selection process by a panel of distinguished Judges, chaired by Dame Beryl Grey DBE, the Genée International Ballet Competition Gold medal was awarded to 17 year old Céline Gittens from Canada for her outstanding performance at Sadler's Wells on Sunday, 11th September. Some of the world's finest young ballet dancers entered the Final at Sadler's Wells, each of them competing for a coveted medal and up to £5,000 in prize money. The audience are also given the chance to vote for their own Genée winner, often producing a very different 'winner' from the official decision. However, as the recipient of the special Audience Award, Céline's exceptional performance evidently charmed the judges Dame Beryl Grey DBE, David Nixon and Wayne Sleep OBE and audience alike. Sliver Medals were awarded to Nicki Moffatt and Annie Carroll from Australia and Jade Hale-Christofi from the UK. The Bronze medals went to Australia's Nathan Young and UK's Julia Davis. Each finalist performed three variations; one of Michael Corder's specially commissioned variations, one choreographed by Antony Dowson for the 2004 competition in Athens and their own choice of Classical Repertoire variation. A record number of 53 candidates travelled to London from all over the world including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada & the USA to take part in this internationally renowned competition and finalists from 6 different countries danced on Sadler's Wells stage, a theatre with a history of bringing the very best international and UK dance to London audiences. Tension had been rising at the Royal Academy of Dance as the candidates spent five days in intensive coaching sessions and rehearsals with renowned dance Faculty in preparation for the Genée Semi-finals which took place on the 8th and 9th September. Candidates worked with distinguished British choreographer Michael Corder learning variations, Danse Galante (male) and Danse Coquette (female), choreographed exclusively for this year's competition. Michael Corder explains, "I have created two challenging pieces for this year's candidates; it tests them technically - both variations require them to be quick and responsive, and it will also test their musicality. But I have to say they have risen to the challenge. The joy in working with such young dancers is their hunger and drive, that's what makes the creative process fun and hopefully that will come through in their performances on the night." Whilst Finalists awaited the Judges' decision Agnes Oaks and Thomas Edur performed Impromptu, to rapturous applause. Originally created in 1982 by Derek Deane to showcase the talent of Dame Antoinette Sibley, President of the Royal Academy of Dance and David Wall, it has since become an acclaimed piece, performed to audiences all over the world. After an absence of four years, the Genée Final returns to London following competitions in Sydney, Australia, Birmingham, England and the 2004 competition which took place in Athens in the run up to the last Olympics. The competition promotes and rewards standards of excellence in young ballet dancers aged 19 years and under from all over the world. It offers competitors the experience of working with world-renowned teachers and choreographers and the opportunity to dance at prestigious international venues. The 2006 Genee International Ballet Competition will take place in Hong Kong.
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