David Nixon chairs Genée Award judging

Northern Ballet Artistic Director David Nixon, OBE, will chair judging for this year’s Genée International Ballet Competition, one of the world's most prestigious classical ballet competitions.

The judging panel for the semi finals includes Deanne Bergsma and Christopher Saunders with Dame Antoinette Sibley and Dame Monica Mason judging the finals.

Organised and promoted by the Royal Academy of Dance, the competition is held annually, and is named in memorial to Dame Adeline Genée, one of the founders of the Academy.

The Genée International Ballet Competition is a unique opportunity for young dancers to get noticed by professional dance companies and take one step closer to a life centre stage. Many Genée medallists go on to become internationally known ballet stars with the world’s best dance companies. These include Northern Ballet’s Premiere Dancer Darren Goldsmith and Royal Ballet's Principals Leanne Benjamin, Lauren Cuthbertson and Steven McRae.

This years’ competition will take place in London with the semi-finals taking place at the headquarters of the Royal Academy of Dance in Battersea Square. The final will be staged at the Sadler's Wells Theatre. This is the first time since 2005 the competition will take place in England.