Ballet, jazz and fitness institution Namarina has enrolled one of its ballet students, Soraya Natashya Dwinandry, 17, in the Genée International Ballet Competition (Genée) held by London’s Royal Academy of Dance (RAD).

Genée, inaugurated in 1931, is one of the most renowned ballet competitions in the world for young dancers trained in the RAD syllabus. Named after RAD’s first president, Dame Adeline Genee DBE, the competition has been held outside of London since 2002. This year, Genee was held in Hong Kong on Aug. 3-12.

To be eligible for the competition, dancers aged 15 to 19 must have passed Intermediate, Advanced 1, as well as Advanced 2 examinations, with distinction in Classical Ballet. And during the competition, they are to experience a week-long creative process, including coaching from world-renowned tutors and choreographers before they finally compete.

Out of 51 candidates competing for Genée medals this year, Soraya and 13 other dancers secured a position in the finals on Sunday at Hong Kong City Hall. Although she didn’t win a medal, Soraya was the first Indonesian ballerina to enter the Genée finals, and this may inspire other young Indonesian dancers to follow in her footsteps. 

Read also: Dance Prix Indonesia 2018 competition set for this weekend

According to a statement released by Namarina, Soraya is extending her visit to Hong Kong to compete in the Asian Grand Prix finals from Monday through Friday.

From the numerous ballet competitions she has joined, Soraya has been granted dance scholarships and entries to workshop and masterclasses, including the Dame Darcey Bussell Genée Bursary. (mut)