Elmhurst student announced as winner of the Bedells Bursary for 2024

Tuesday November 12^th 2024

We are delighted to announce that an Elmhurst student is the winner of the Bedells Bursary 2024 dance competition, which took place at the RAD’s global headquarters in London on Sunday 3 November.

Lucy Crawford (aged 15) won the main bursary prize of £1,000. Supported by the Mary Kipps Bequest, the prize’s value is to be used to further the winner’s training.

24 young dancers took part in the competition, where candidates were judged by Dame Monica Mason and Ashley Page OBE on a non-syllabus ballet class, a classical variation, and a Dancer’s Own variation choreographed by themselves. A masterclass and Bedells Bursary class were taught by the RAD’s Artistic Director, former Principal dancer of both Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Royal Ballet, Alexander Campbell.

Recognising young dancers’ excellence in artistic and technical achievement and providing opportunities for creativity, the Bedells Bursary is named in honour of Phyllis Bedells, a founder member and Vice-President of the RAD. The Bedells Bursary is a global competition, open to members of the RAD who are 17 years of age and under and have passed the RAD Advanced 1 Examination with Distinction.

Denise Whiteman, Director of Dance Training at Elmhurst, said: “We are extremely pleased for and very proud of Lucy. Lucy demonstrated determination and professionalism prior to the competition, she thoroughly enjoyed the experience and is beyond delighted to be the recipient of the award. Thanks go to all artistic staff who supported her journey, and congratulations to all Elmhurst students that represented the school wonderfully well in the competition.”

A pathway to The Fonteyn

The bursary is a pathway to the RAD’s flagship event, the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition. The Fonteyn competition represents the pinnacle of achievement for young people trained in the RAD syllabus, and it is dedicated to promoting and rewarding standards of excellence in young ballet dancers internationally. This year, two Elmhurst students made it through to the Finals of the competition, including current graduate year student Alfie-Lee Hall who was awarded a bronze medal.

Next year The Fonteyn competition will be held at the Auditorio Ibirapuera in São Paulo, Brazil, from 11-19 October 2025.