Behind the scenes at the X Factor of the ballet world..It's tutu stressful!

Behind the scenes at the X Factor of the ballet world..It's tutu stressful!

The film Black Swan (right) has turned the spotlight on the pain and the passion in the hugely behind the tutus and tiarascompetitive world of ballet. So what does it take to be the next global principal? YOU was given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to ballet’s most prestigious – and most demanding – competition

At the X Factor of the classical dance world, the Genée International Ballet Competition at Sadler's Wells in London, the world's best teenage dancers compete to secure a prized medal and a place on ballet's future roll call

First, the pep talk

The Genée, a ballet competition run by the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) for top dancers aged from 15 to 19, is a British institution and has been held almost every year since 1931 — even during the Second World War. In November 2010 it took place before a packed house at Sadler’s Wells. Even qualifying to compete in the Genée is a major achievement: here there were 77 dancers from 12 countries. During the week of the competition, these young stars receive intensive coaching from world-renowned dance professionals and choreographers, and have the chance to be noticed by international dance companies

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