Canada’s Erin Alarie wins Genée gold at the 2026 Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition

Canadian dancer Erin Alarie secured the Genée Gold medal at the 2026 Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition held at the London Coliseum on 8 November. At 17, Alarie represents a promising talent emerging from the Oakville School of Classical Ballet, where she trains under Amanda Paterson.

Alarie’s victory was complemented by her earlier achievement of the Dancer’s Own Choreographic Award during the semi-final round, highlighting her dual strengths in performance and choreography. The Genée Gold medal, sponsored this year by Freed of London, represents the pinnacle of achievement within this prestigious ballet competition.

The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition, formerly known as The Genée, is among the oldest and most respected contests dedicated to dancers trained in the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus. Established in 1931, it continues to be a significant global platform, attracting 71 competitors from 19 countries in its 2026 edition.

Finalists were required to perform a blend of Classical Repertoire Variations, their own choreographed solos, and for the first time, a variation by Frederick Ashton. This addition came through a new partnership with the Frederick Ashton Foundation, which introduced dancers worldwide to Ashton’s signature style celebrated for its grace and musical expressiveness.

The coaching for the Ashton variation took place at the RAD headquarters, guided by Ricardo Cervera and Helen Crawford. This innovative element offered candidates a unique opportunity to engage intimately with a revered choreographic heritage.

Alongside the competition, the audience witnessed guest performances by members of The Royal Ballet. Soloist Marianna Tsembenhoi performed the Shadow Variation from Ashton’s Ondine, while principals Fumi Kaneko and Vadim Muntagirov presented a pas de deux from Sylvia, enriching the event with professional artistry.

The judging panel for the final included distinguished figures such as Dame Darcey Bussell DBE and Francesca Hayward, who themselves are former competitors of the contest. Their presence underscored the competition's role in nurturing leading ballet talents.

Additional awards this year recognized excellence in various aspects of dance. Among these, Chelsea Humm, 19, from New Zealand, received the Audience Choice Award, while Gonzalo Toledo was named winner of the Musicality Award at the semi-finals.

The competition is supported by a faculty roster featuring prominent instructors including the RAD artistic director Alexander Campbell, Carrie Taylor Johnson, and others, ensuring a rigorous and well-rounded evaluation process for the candidates.

Pianists Martin Cleave, Rebecca Leshures, Matthew Mills, and Richard Norriss accompanied the dancers, emphasizing the integral role of live music in ballet performance.

Historically, recipients of the Margot Fonteyn (Genée) medals have gone on to distinguished careers, including alumni such as Claudia Dean and Steven McRae. The 2026 competition also functions as a gateway for candidates to be considered for scholarships at leading dance institutions worldwide, opportunities that will be allocated following further assessments.

Alarie’s accomplishment at this competition not only enhances her individual profile but also signals continued Canadian prominence on the international ballet stage. The incorporation of Ashton’s choreography marks a progressive step in expanding the technical and artistic repertoire required of contemporary dancers at this level.

The contest’s combination of tradition and innovation, set against the symbolic backdrop of the London Coliseum, reiterates its status as a formative event for young artists aspiring to professional ballet careers.