FOCUS ON

September 2025

EXAM
EXAMS
 Page 6

Contents
Contents 02

Welcome to Focus on Exams 04

06
Ellen Yilma-Parmar receives
Best Dance Film Award at Cannes

Looking ahead to The Fonteyn 08

Page 8
10
Dancing through generations:
The story of Debra Whitten

12
Age is no barrier, Three dancers, one
shared goal – Silver Swan students

Exams bursary 13

Three young dancers backed 14

by bursaries – New Zealand

Scandinavia: Our first RAD exams experience 16

Page 15
Panel of Examiners news 18

Successful Solo Seal Candidates 19

In Memoriam 20
Sheila Stirling FRAD
Ruth Muriel Eaton (Née Dawes) 1933 – 2025

Contact information 22

2 FOCUS ON EXAMS 3
Welcome to
Focus on Exams
It’s been a busy few months for all of us, it seems. Our colleagues in the
Southern Hemisphere have been organising and running their winter
sessions, while those in the Northern Hemisphere wrapped up their
summer exams and turned their attention to summer schools.

Here at headquarters, we’ve taken the opportunity to do some annual

planning, to work on further system improvements, and review the
outcomes of the Musical Theatre exam trials.

In this issue, you’ll hear more about how Brazil has been preparing for
The Fonteyn and the incredible impact this has had on their exam uptake.
I’m especially pleased to see Solo Seal success from all corners of the world.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have.

Dance healthy, dance happy!

Mary Keene
Director of Examinations

Photography by Jimmy Parratt

4 FOCUS ON EXAMS 5
Ellen Yilma-Parmar
receives Best Dance
Film Award at Cannes
UK Regional Officer Ellen Ellen and Carmine have
Yilma-Parmar recently performed together for over
attended the prestigious a decade, building a
Global Short Film Awards in partnership rooted in trust
Cannes, where she and her and artistic synergy across
dance partner Carmine de numerous dance companies.
Amicis, were honoured with Wanting to preserve what
the award for Best Dance they shared on stage; they Photo by
Film. The award recognises captured their unity on film. Ray Moody

their latest creative work Under Carmine’s direction,

– a poignant tribute to two this duet portrays the tragic Submitted to the Global
deeply personal figures: the love story of Paolo and Short Film Awards last year, it
mother of Ellen’s partner, Francesca, the star-crossed quickly drew attention for its
and Ellen’s own grandfather, lovers immortalised in emotional depth and artistic
who lived to 100. Dante’s Inferno. Through quality. Ellen described the
expressive choreography and moment she learned of the
Their memories shaped the evocative storytelling, the award as one of pure joy,
emotional core of the piece, film captures the intensity saying she was “over the
infusing it with themes of and sorrow of forbidden love, moon” to see the film
love, loss and enduring that resonates deeply with recognised on a global stage.
connection. audience and critics alike.
Having stepped away from
the theatre just over two
years ago, Ellen began a new
chapter with the RAD. She
created this short film in her
free time, and it became a
meaningful creative outlet
during this new direction to
reflect both her enduring
passion for dance and her
gratitude to all who have
supported her on her dance
journey.

You can watch the full video

on YouTube.

Still from performance film via Photography via Watch here

Carmine De Amicis on YouTube Ellen Yilma-Parmar
Photography via
Ellen Yilma-Parmar

6 FOCUS ON EXAMS 7
Looking ahead
to The Fonteyn
The Brazil RAD family is thrilled to be hosting The Margot Fonteyn
International Ballet Competition in 2025.
This is a unique opportunity, and the realisation of a long-held dream, reflecting years of
steady development and a growing connection with teachers, students, and the wider
RAD community.

It all began in 2021. During In 2024, we held the RAD

the challenges of the Bursary and RAD Dance
pandemic, we felt it was Challenge events with the
crucial to stay connected with help of our special guests
our members. Under the Jenny Hale and Alexander
leadership of Ana Maria Campbell. These events,
Campos—examiner and created for students who
tutor—we began offering achieved Distinction in their
online courses, reaching exams, were a great success.
nearly 1,000 teachers in the
first year. Since then, Thanks to these initiatives,
27 CPD courses have we’ve significantly increased
been delivered annually. the number of examination
entries in 2023, 2024, and now
As the courses grew, so did 2025. This September, we are
the need for quicker proud to welcome nine
communication. WhatsApp examiners who will cover 76
groups were introduced to cities across 26 states in
support teachers directly, Brazil. We are also pleased to
helping to build a more confirm 33 new applications
responsive network. At the for the CDT.
same time, with the help of
our newly appointed social The Fonteyn will take place at
media adviser, Marcela the Auditório Ibirapuera in
Benvegnu, Brazil RAD’s São Paulo, bringing together
Instagram presence dancers, teachers, and
expanded, creating stronger supporters from across the
engagement and visibility. country. We look forward to
welcoming everyone as we
In 2022, a team led by Ana celebrate all we have
Maria and Marcela launched achieved together.
our Summer Schools—five Summer School 2025
have taken place so far students before their final
presentation at the theatre.
including a Winter School Photo by @wcmaguiar
in 2023.

8 FOCUS ON EXAMS 9
Dancing through At 13, she was accepted into RAD Grade 2 exam and Debra, her mother Gloria
The Australian Ballet School, receives weekly private (who has never danced),
and by 18, had secured her lessons from both his mother Karina, and Karina’s three

generations: The story

first international contract and grandmother. He has young sons, aged seven, four,
with Suzhou Ballet Theatre, performed with Brisbane City and nine months. Audience
China, under the direction of Youth Ballet and was members were impressed by

of Debra Whitten
Stephen Jeffries and accepted into Queensland how well the boys behaved,
Rashna Homji. Ballet Academy Foundation and the middle child, Charles
Program for 2025. When (not yet a dancer), was
Karina later danced with asked about his future, Oliver especially captivated by the
Dancing runs in our blood Ballet Ireland and Mystic said he wants to be both a sword-fighting scenes.
– three generations Ballet before returning home dancer and a paramedic.
and counting. to teach and study nutrition Inspired by their attendance,
and dietetics. She worked Debra and Karina continue to a family friend of Oliver’s—
It all began with closely with her mother at the teach, driven by a shared also a ballet student—
Debra Whitten ARAD, Debra Whitten School of mission to instil discipline bought tickets to the same
examiner and tutor for the Dance until its sale in 2024. through the art of dance performance. Debra was
Royal Academy of Dance Together, they prepared while nurturing a lifelong delighted to hear this, as it
(RAD), who holds a Diploma countless students for RAD love for it. reflects her heartfelt
in Dance from the Victorian exams—including Karina’s philosophy: “Not everyone
College of the Arts. son, Oliver Zawilski. Recently, Karina bought can be a ballerina, but the
tickets to Queensland Ballet’s dancers need an audience.”
Debra’s ballet journey started Karina’s son, Oliver, quite production of Romeo and
with a walk past a local dance literally took his first steps Juliet to celebrate her
school. The teacher had told inside the studio during one grandmother Gloria’s 91st
her she’d have to wait until of his mother’s lessons. birthday. Four generations
she was five years old. So, on Now he is preparing for his attended the performance:
her fifth birthday, she
returned and confidently
announced, “I’m five now!”
From that moment, her
journey in dance began. She
started with ballet, highland
dancing, and tap, and by the
age of seven, she transitioned
to studying the RAD syllabus Debra with Emily Buckley.
Photo via Debra Whitten
at Ransley’s Studio in Sydney.

Debra recalls falling in love

with ballet, especially after
performing as a child with
The Australian Ballet Debra with Karina and Oliver.
company in a production of Photo via Debra Whitten

Don Quixote, which featured

legends, Marilyn Jones and In 1983, Debra opened her own studio in Sydney, later
Robert Helpmann. relocating to Brisbane to establish a thriving new school in
Underwood. Over decades, she shaped countless students
At 17, she achieved her Solo – many of whom now perform on stages around the world.
Seal and was accepted at the She passed the baton in April 2024, selling her school but
Victorian College of the Arts never lost her passion for dance.
under the esteemed Dean,
Anne Woolliams. Her daughter, Karina Nairne, was destined for the stage. At
just two years old, she pushed her way to the front and centre
Debra with Karina and Kayleigh Yuan. Debra with Oliver.
at a dance concert. Her love for performing was undeniable. Photo via Debra Whitten Photo via Debra Whitten

10 FOCUS ON EXAMS 11
Age is no barrier,
three dancers, one
shared goal –
Silver Swan students Congratulations to this
year’s exams bursary
recipients
Alex McLelland (20), We’re pleased to announce
Jean Cairns (70), and that 90 candidates from
Angela Heming (63) across the globe have been
had been preparing to awarded bursary support this
take their Discovering year at all levels from
Repertoire Level 2 class Pre-Primary in Dance
through to Solo Seal exams.
unit exam in rural
Perthshire in June. Recipients represent a truly
international community,
Unfortunately, Jean and
from every corner of the globe
Angela both suffered injuries
including Africa, Asia, Oceana,
just before the exam, which
North and South America and
meant the trio couldn’t take it
Europe, and we wish them all
together as planned, and
the very best in their exams.
soon after their teacher
relocated from Scotland to If you’re seeking financial
North Norfolk. assistance for your own exam
journey, you can apply for
Undeterred, the group
support via the Exams Bursary
embraced the change and
application.
adapted, switching to online
training and rescheduled Applications are now open for
their exam for November. exams taking place from
Their perseverance was January 2026 to June 2026.
rewarded when local teacher For further information, please
Trisha Meenaghan-Wackrow contact Mohamed Jama.
stepped in, generously
offering studio time so they
could take the exam together.
Apply here
Trisha Meenaghan-Wackrow Students. We wish them the very best
Photo via Trisha Meenaghan-Wrackow
of luck for November! Photography by Jimmy Parratt

Exams bursary
12 FOCUS ON EXAMS 13
Three young dancers
backed by bursaries – Nga

Nga has been dancing for five Her Māmā said, “It brings me

New Zealand
years and says she enjoys the so much joy to see her grow
music and seeing her friends and thrive each year. We’re
at class. She loves watching over the moon she’s been
the older students before her given this opportunity.”
RAD New Zealand are own lessons and has recently
added jazz to her schedule, Both Niyah and Nga are
thrilled to learn that
which she enjoys for its taught by Grace Nemeth, a
three dedicated young recent graduate of the
upbeat music.
dancers have recently Certificate in Ballet Teaching
been awarded Outside the studio, Nga Studies (CBTS) programme.
bursaries to support participates in Kapa Haka These students will be among
their upcoming (traditional Maori dance) and Grace’s first to enter RAD
ballet exams. Mau Rākau (traditional Maori exams. Studio owner Chantal
marital art) and plays a variety Pinguet said the whole studio Evania.
The recipients are of sports at school. is excited and proud. Photo via Hayley Johnson Dance

Niyah and Nga from

Levin The Movement,
Evania
and Evania from
Hayley Johnson Dance. Evania, who trains at Hayley
Johnson Dance, has been
Niyah dancing since she was just
two years old. Now aged 11,
Ko Tararua tōku maunga she says she loves learning
Ko Ohaū tōku awa new steps, expressing herself
Ko Tainui te waka through movement, and
Ko Ngāti Raukawa te iwi performing with friends. Her
Ko Wehiwehi te marae favourite move is the
Nō Taitoko ahau pirouette, which she says,
Ko Niyah tōku ingoa “makes me feel like I’m
floating on air.”
Here’s an English translation
of the Māori pepeha: From left: Niyah, Grace and Nga.
Evania also studies jazz,
Photo via Hayley Johnson Dance lyrical, contemporary and
“Tararua is my mountain, Hip Hop – with ballet and
Ohaū is my river, Tainui is the She loves the social side of the studio, especially catching up Hip Hop as her top favourites.
canoe, Ngāti Raukawa is my with friends, and her favourite part of class is Variation 1. She Outside of dance, she learns
tribe, Wehiwehi is my marae enjoys watching the senior dancers at competitions and piano and recorder, and is an
(meeting place), I am from draws inspiration from Phoebe, now training at the New active member of her school’s
Levin (Taitoko is the Māori Zealand School of Dance, and Lauren, currently studying at dance club and the
name for Levin. Town), The Royal Ballet School in London. Pathfinders group at her
My name is Niyah.” church.
Alongside ballet, Niyah also trains in jazz, contemporary and
Niyah has been dancing since acro, and plays both netball and hockey for her school. Ballet “I feel very honoured to
the age of three and is now remains her favourite activity. Her mum shared, “Niyah works receive this bursary,” Evania
preparing for her incredibly hard and we’re so proud of her. This bursary will said. “I will work extremely
Intermediate ballet exam. really help her continue chasing her dreams.” Evania. hard to show how grateful
Photo via Hayley Johnson Dance I am.”

14 FOCUS ON EXAMS 15
Scandinavia:
Our first RAD exams
experience By Lôa V. H. Høgnadóttir
and Jenny Lôa Poulsdóttir

Photography by
Halla Nolsoe Poulsen

This marks our first time Fortunately, she was open to preparation made us feel
engaging with ballet exams. the idea. After some ready and supported.
Lôa began her ballet training coordination, she travelled to
at the age of four at the Faroe Islands to lead a The process has been both
Frederiksberg Ballet in three-day workshop. valuable and educational.
Copenhagen and continued We’ve noticed significant
until she moved to the Faroe Following that initial improvement in our
Islands with her family at age workshop, we began weekly technique and expression, It’s a model that could easily
eleven. Jenny Lôa trained in online classes with Gudrun, and the focused training for be extended to other regions,
Reykjavík, Iceland, until supplemented by occasional the exam has been a requiring minimal
relocating to the Faroe in-person workshops held motivating and rewarding community support, provided
Islands at age twelve. both in the Faroe Islands and part of our development. there’s a stable internet
in Copenhagen. connection. Of course, family
In the Faroe Islands, there are Gudrun added: “We’ve involvement remains crucial,
no formal ballet schools. As this was our first successfully established an both in terms of financial
However, we met at a small experience preparing for a online routine with the support and in helping to
local dance school and ballet exam, it was unlike student, culminating in the secure a suitable local space
quickly realised we wanted anything we’d encountered in recorded Grade 3 exam this for training.
more structured classical our previous classes. The past June. This project means
ballet training. Our parents process of getting ready and a great deal to us, the The RAD has proven to be the
reached out to a teacher, taking part has been commitment from the most inspiring and
Gudrun Bojesen in Denmark genuinely exciting. Although students, their families, and technically adaptable ballet
to explore the possibility of it felt a bit nerve-wracking at me has been rewarding.” system for continuing work
receiving instruction from her. times, Gudrun’s thorough across borders.

16 FOCUS ON EXAMS 17
Panel of Successful
Examiners news Solo Seal Candidates
Dale-Maree Coles has Congratulations to our latest Solo Seal award recipients!
retired from the
Australian panel in We are proud to celebrate the achievements of our talented candidates
June, having examined who have earned their Solo Seal award this year. Your dedication, hard
for the RAD for an work, and passion has truly paid off.
incredible 50 years.
Canadian examiner, CANADA
Dana Fry will be taking
GEMMA RITCHIE (MAY 2025)
an extended leave
of absence from ERIN ALARIE (MAY 2025)
the panel.
Ann Holleran, based in INDONESIA
Italy, has retired from TAY JING HUI (MAY 2025)
the panel after KAREN WIJAYA (MAY 2025)
examining for the
RAD for an impressive
Dale-Maree Coles Ann Holleran 18 years. UK
KATIYAH WATLEY (JULY 2025)
TOM WADDINGTON (JULY 2025)

Photography by
18 Everline Imagery
 Of the barre, the stick,
In Memoriam and the sewing machine
Sheila Stirling FRAD 16/04/1931 – 30/06/2025 Ruth Muriel Eaton (Née Dawes) 1933 – 2025
Sheila Stirling, a Life Note: This article reflects the life and work of Ruth Muriel Eaton within the cultural and
Member of the Royal professional standards of her time. Some practices and attitudes described may differ from
Academy of Dance, contemporary norms but are presented here in their historical context.
dedicated her life to A formidable figure in At 16, she launched a a swift and memorably
the art of dance and to the worlds of dance performing career that took corrective. She demanded
the RAD community. and theatre, Ruth her from UK pantomimes to discipline because she
Muriel Eaton passed global tours. She was a appreciated hard work,
She joined the RAD in 1949, consummate professional, dedication, and grit above all
completing all levels of away in Winnersh,
famously stepping into a lead else. This passion never
training up to the prestigious Berkshire, on 11 July
role alongside Michael waned; she continued
Solo Seal award, and was 2025, at the age of 92. Bentine with just 90 minutes’ shaping dancers right into
appointed to the RAD board notice. A gifted pianist who her 80s, taking great pride in
of examiners in 1960, Ruth’s story began on 23
March 1933, when she was battled stage fright, she later the development of one of
examining extensively for
more than four decades. born at home on Crown Road, found a quieter performance her last pupils, Holly Prentice.
Twickenham. outlet in hotels and clubs.
She married Patrick John
While Sheila’s first love was Sheila Stirling with Tutuzela.
But her true and lifelong Eaton on 9 March 1963 and
always ballet, she also Photo via Sheila Stirling Her life would be one of fierce
dedication to the arts, forged passion was teaching. For had two daughters, Eliana
trained in classical Greek, tap this, she returned to her and Eloise. While she
and ballroom dancing. In her In 1996, she was honoured in the post-war era. Educated
at St Catherine’s Convent classical roots and became a struggled with the role of a
birthplace, Rhodesia (now with the RAD’s highest highly respected, tough, and mother, she found ways to
Zimbabwe), she ran her own accolade – the Fellowship School and the Arts
Educational School, she uncompromising ballet pass on her skills, teaching
dance school alongside Award, in recognition of her examiner for the Eliana to sew costumes on a
holding the post of RAD outstanding service. trained under the great
names of the time, including Royal Academy of Dance. treasured Singer treadle
Local Organiser for 30 years. She was a teacher of the old machine and seeing her own
Sheila was a passionate Ruth French, making the
regular journey to Marylebone school. Like her own tutors, ballet ambitions fulfilled
Sheila and her family mentor, a strong advocate for
for classes that would shape she walked the studio with a through her daughter Eloise,
relocated to Cape Town in dance teacher education, and
her steely technique. stick, and woe betide any who attended the Royal
1983, and she took up a a respected leader whose
student who sickled a foot or Ballet Upper School. Ruth’s
teaching post at the vibrant personality,
rolled an ankle – the stick was marriage had its complexities,
University of Cape Town unwavering standards, and
yet it was her husband,
Ballet School. She served on immense knowledge inspired
Patrick, whom she
the committee of the RAD generations of RAD teachers.
remembered and spoke of in
Western Cape Regional
She leaves behind a rich her final years. She held a
Advisory Panel and also held
legacy of excellence,
Photo via Sheila Stirling deep affection for animals
office as chairlady for several
generosity, and dedication to - especially cats - who were
terms. Alongside her
the dance world. her constant companions.
husband, Colin Dove, the
organisation of RAD exams Her legacy is not one of
and events were superbly Her impact will never
be forgotten. simple sentiment; it is etched
carried out. The team were in the discipline, strength,
exceptional hosts, welcoming and artistry she demanded
RAD visitors to Cape Town from herself and all who
from all corners of the world. Photography by Jimmy Parratt she taught.

20 FOCUS ON EXAMS 21
 Contact us
We have a series of email addresses for specific queries listed below.
You can find all our contacts online on our website.

Examinations
General exam queries
exams@[Link]

Exam Customer Services

Result enquiries, reasonable adjustments,
special considerations, complaints, and appeals
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certificates@[Link]

Filmed Examinations
Contact your Local Office

Examinations Compliance
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Systems
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22 FOCUS ON EXAMS 23
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