Activate Performing Arts Competitors

The University of Kent has a strong tradition of excellence in teaching and research. Find out more about our academic programmes and support at www.kent.ac.uk

The RAD is one of the world’s most influential dance education and training organisations. With its global headquarters in London, the RAD works locally and around the world to bring dance to diverse communities, widen access to dance and share the benefits and wellbeing that dance brings. With a strong global membership presence in over 85 countries, each year around 250,000 dancers learn the RAD syllabus and take exams. Over 1,000 students are enrolled in in-person and distance-learning dance teacher training programmes. The RAD empowers people through dance education and enjoyment and believes that ‘every body’ should have the opportunity to learn to dance.

Guildhall School is a vibrant, international community of young musicians, actors and production artists in the heart of the City of London. Ranked as one of the top ten performing arts institutions in the world (QS World University Rankings 2019), and recently awarded top conservatoire in the Complete University Guide Music League Table 2020, the School is a global leader of creative and professional practice which promotes innovation, experiment and research, with over 1,000 students in higher education, drawn from over 70 countries around the world. The School is also the UK’s leading provider of specialist music training at the under-18 level with nearly 2,500 students in Junior Guildhall and the Centre for Young Musicians. Our diversity extends to the art forms that we cover. We are one of the few major European conservatoires to combine schools of music, drama and production arts. Working across disciplines frees us to break down boundaries across traditional art forms, to nurture invention, and to cross-fertilise ideas and methods. Since its founding in 1880, Guildhall School has stood as a vibrant showcase of the City of London Corporation's commitment to education and the arts. Situated in the heart of the City, the School moved to its present premises in the Barbican in 1977, solidifying a unique performance and learning partnership with Europe's largest arts and conference venue, the Barbican Centre, and its resident orchestra, the world-class London Symphony Orchestra. Collaboration is central to what we do. Our partnerships – between departments and with external organisations – create outstanding opportunities to learn from the leading edge of creative practice. Our professional partners include the Barbican Centre, the London Symphony Orchestra, the the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Opera House and the Academy of Ancient Music.