24 August 2022 12:40

With the 2022 Solo Seal exam fast approaching we have reached out to some former candidates to ask them about their RAD Solo Seal experience.

 

Briese Phelan-Boyd - 2019

In 2019 I sat my Solo Seal. A few days after, I flew to Amsterdam to commence pre-professional training at the European School of Ballet. I believe aiming for the high level of technical skill and presentation required to achieve this award really helped prepare me for my pre-professional training. Solo Seal was a very rewarding experience, one that I will never forget. Performing for the audience which included my family and teachers was a wonderful way to conclude 13 years of RAD examinations. Being awarded Solo Seal really gave me the confidence to keep pushing further towards a professional career. Last September I joined the corps de ballet of the Lithuanian National Ballet and am about to commence my second season with them.

Stella Byers – 2019

After completing all of the 10 Royal Academy of dance examinations at Mount Eden Ballet Academy, receiving my Solo Seal was the perfect way to round off all of my years of training. It was a true honour and accomplishment to receive such an amazing award with all of my teachers friends and family surrounding me.
The commitment and focus required in passing Solo Seal has given me such a strong grounding in my ongoing studies as a pre professional dancer at the Palucca Hochschule für Tanz in Germany. I will always be forever grateful for being able to complete my RAD studies with the Solo Seal award.

 

 

Kathryn Turner – 2014

When I achieved the RAD Solo Seal Award in 2014 it was such a proud accomplishment for me, and I was then excited to be accepted into full time ballet school in America. Later, this was also a key part of inspiring me to become a dance teacher and help others towards the same goal. It was a great foundation to have before starting further studies, firstly at full time dance training, and more recently completing RAD CBTS in 2020. 

When I achieved the RAD Solo Seal Award in 2014 it was such a proud accomplishment for me, and I was then excited to be accepted into full time ballet school in America. Later, this was also a key part of inspiring me to become a dance teacher and help others towards the same goal. It was a great foundation to have before starting further studies, firstly at full time dance training, and more recently completing RAD CBTS in 2020. 

 

Ariana Hond – 2012

Achieving Solo Seal was a huge accomplishment for me, the cherry on top of all the work myself, my whānau and teachers had put into my RAD training over the years. It was a privilege to perform in the presentation and to then receive the award. Solo Seal felt like a final step to reach before jumping into the full-time and professional dance world. About 10 years on now, after dancing professionally for a number of those years, I am a post-graduate student in psychology, and continue to teach ballet, RAD, and also dance myself.

 

If you would like to come along and watch this years Solo Seal exam on Friday 9th September at Te Whaea, Wellington tickets are available at https://nz.royalacademyofdance.org/exams-and…/solo-seal/