Five Australian dancers have been selected as finalists in The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition. Previously known as The Genée, this year’s Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) international competition will take place online – the first time this has happened – with the final taking place on 9 September.

The Australian dancers are: Mia Atkinson, trained by RAD Teacher Catherine Edwards; Christian Carlo-Stella, trained by RAD teachers Hilary Kaplan and Archibald McKenzie, and English National Ballet School; Milei Lee, trained by RAD teachers Liane McRae and Janne Blanch; Amber Mitchell-Knight, trained by RAD teacher Susan Sargison and the National Theatre Ballet School; and Amelia Soh, trained by RAD teachers Jasmin Bobyk, Paris Bobyk and Celine Bobyk.

Australian dancer Joshua Green, Genée Gold Medallist, 2018. Photo © Keith Sin, Hiro Graphics

The five Australians are among the 15 young dancers selected as finalists from 97 candidates, representing 16 countries. They were chosen by a judging panel comprising RAD President Dame Darcey Bussell, Christopher Hampson, Artistic Director and CEO of Scottish Ballet, Sir David Bentley, former Artistic of Birmingham Royal Ballet.

British finalist Olivia Chang Clarke, trained by RAD teacher Denise Whiteman, has won...