Ninette de Valois Choreographic Award results

The Annual Ninette de Valois Choreographic Award competition was held at the Lower School, White Lodge on Thursday 25 March. This year’s judges were Dame Monica Mason, Director of The Royal Ballet, Gail Monahan, wife of former Royal Ballet School Director James Monaghan (1977-83) and Kevin O’Hare, Administrative Director of The Royal Ballet. The judges’ results were as follows:

1st Prize: Augustus Payne (Year 7) - The Rising of the Sun, music by Antonio Vivaldi

Joint 2nd Prize: Amelia Palmiero (Year 7) - La Notte, music by Antonio Vivaldi

Joint 2nd Prize: Genevieve Heron (Year 9) - In Flight, music by Ian Clarke

3rd Prize: Kiri Wreyford (Year 8) - Flashback to the Twenties, music by Sidney Bechet

The John Mitchell Prize for the best winner of choreographic notes was awarded to Kiri Wreyford (Year 8)

The James Monahan Medal for the most promising choreographer was presented by Gail Monahan to Augustus Payne (Year 7)

The Valerie Adams Award for a White Lodge Dancer showing exceptional talent in dance quality and musicality was presented by Valerie Adams to Rose?anna Whittle (Year 11)

The April Olrich Award for Dynamic Performance was presented by April Olrich to Anna-Rose O’Sullivan (Year 11)

Together with the Kenneth MacMillan Senior Choreographic Competition for 14-16 year olds, the Ninette de Valois Choreographic Award (11-14 year olds) is one of two choreographic competitions held at White Lodge each year.

Photo: Gail Monahan (left) with Dame Monica Mason, Kevin O’Hare and the four prize winners. Photo by Marius Arnold-Clarke