Fresh from celebrating success at a UK-wide ballet competition, RCS dancers are now looking ahead to June and a special performance in London.

BA Modern Ballet students competed in the Ballet Grand Prix in Dundee, achieving a major category win and appearing in the gala performance alongside professional dancers.

Founded in 2015 to support young dancers across Scotland, the competition has since grown to welcome competitors from around the world.

This year’s anniversary event brought together a judging panel of industry leaders, including Kerry Livingstone, Director of the RCS School of Dance and Head of the Associate Programme at Scottish Ballet.

Kerry was joined by Gavin McCaig, former Northern Ballet Junior Soloist and Director of London Vocational Ballet School, and Constance Devernay‑Laurence, co‑director of Ballet Grand Prix and former Scottish Ballet principal dancer, now performing with London City Ballet.

RCS was represented at both junior and senior levels, with several students progressing to the final.

Second‑year student Amelia Deakin won first place in the Senior category. Amelia was joined by fellow second years Eva Woodcock who took third place, Mia Joyce who took fifth, and Alice Devitt who was placed sixth.

Third‑year students performed Peter Darrell solos in the gala alongside dancers from Northern Ballet.

Kerry said: “It has been a strong start to the year for our students. Their performances at the Ballet Grand Prix reflect the consistently high standard of work we see every day in the studios at RCS. We’re incredibly proud of their commitment to developing as artists.”

In other School of Dance news, third-year students will travel to London in June to perform in Ballet Nights New Futures at Cadogan Hall, that will bring together students from the UK’s leading dance schools. The students will perform a new work choreographed by lecturer Diana Loosmore.

A showcase of emerging talent, the event on June 9 will shine a light on the next generation of performers and the training that shapes them.

RCS students will appear alongside dancers from The Royal Ballet School, English National Ballet School, Central School of Ballet, Rambert School, Elmhurst Ballet School and Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

“Being part of Ballet Nights New Futures is a fantastic opportunity for our students. It places them on a national stage, sharing a platform with their peers from institutions across the UK,” added Kerry.

Images © Rimbaud Patron

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Visit the School of Dance to find out more about studying on the BA Modern Ballet or BA Dance Artist programmes.