Young British Dancer of the Year 2010

The Finals of Young British Dancer of the Year 2010 took place on Saturday 13 March at the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Studio Theatre. The competition saw almost 100 young dancers aged 15-17 from throughout the UK compete for the coveted title of Young British Dancer of the Year.

The Chairman of the esteemed panel of judges was Ivan Liska, Director of the Bavarian State Opera Ballet in Munich. Joining him were some of the most influential people in the British ballet world: Federico Bonelli (Principal Dancer, The Royal Ballet), Wayne Eagling (Artistic Director, English National Ballet), Dame Monica Mason DBE (Director, The Royal Ballet), David Nixon OBE (Artistic Director, Northern Ballet Theatre), Ashley Page OBE (Artistic Director, Scottish Ballet) together with former Royal Ballet Principal Dancers Marguerite Porter and David Wall CBE, both pre-eminent figures in the international ballet world.

The sixteen finalists performed two solos each and whilst the judges deliberated the final placing, entertainment was provided by students from Ballet Central, English National Ballet School, The Royal Ballet School and Tring Park School for the Performing Arts.

The Results were as follows:

1st Place: Francesca Hayward (17yrs)
2nd Place: Anna Rose O’Sullivan (15yrs)
3rd Place: Bruno Micchiardi (17yrs)
Commendation: Roseanna Leney (17yrs)
Commendation: Sean Bates (17yrs)
The Sibley Dowell Award for a Promising Student: Dominic Whitbrook (17rs)


YBDY’s founding sponsor Ricki Gail Conway commented:

“It is really exciting that YBDY has become such an important fixture in the British Dance Calendar over the past ten tears. The competition continues to offer young dancers the valuable opportunity to develop their skills and artistry and to share their talents with the public in a sell-out performance. YBDY is also an opportunity to celebrate the tremendous talent we have in this country and to encourage it for the future of the art form.”

Photo: Johan Persson