The prestigious international ballet competition returns to Australia where our own Steven McRae won Gold in 2002.

In 2002, the Genée International Ballet Competition was held in Sydney – the first time in its history that the presigious event had been held outside London. What’s more, in a fairytale ending for locals, young Sydney dancer Steven McRae, now a Principal at The Royal Ballet, won the coveted Gold Medal. In December, the competition – a flagship event of The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) in London – returns to Sydney, a move welcomed by the Australian dance community.

^{Australian dancer Steven McRae in Romeo and Juliet at The Royal Ballet. Photo by Bill Cooper}

McRae has just been announced as the Genée’s 2016 Ambassador. Speaking to Limelight from London, he says: “The Adeline Genée competition was a major turning point in my career. It was the first time I was able to compete at an international level. Stepping on stage at the Sydney Opera House in front of an extremely supportive local audience was incredible and winning the Gold Medal at home was a dream! To have my parents and...