Cecchetti Society Trust
Vocational Classical Ballet Awards 2026/27
Sunday 15th November 2026
Elmhurst Ballet School Theatre, Birmingham
Applications Open!
The prestigious Cecchetti Society Trust Vocational Classical Ballet Awards incorporate the Fewster Cecchetti Scholarship (FCS), the Barbara Geoghegan Award (BGA) and the Cyril Beaumont Scholarship (CBS). The competition is open to UK and International students who meet the relevant criteria for the Awards. The Cecchetti Society Trust organises the event and provides the generous Award prizes. Please download an Awards Poster to publicise this exciting opportunity for young dancers.
Application
The Trust has widened access to the 2026/27 Awards to encourage participation by students studying ISTD Cecchetti at vocational levels who are not yet in full-time vocational training, as well as those students in full time vocational training. Prior to applying teachers and students should ensure they comply with the T&Cs for the award entered. The Awards Application Form can be downloaded below and entries must be returned by Monday 12th October 2026. NB Students may only enter one Award level.
CST VCBA Application Form Pdf
CST VCBA Application Form Word Doc
Fewster Cecchetti Scholarship (FCS)
This scholarship was started by Miss Barbara Fewster, a former principal of the Royal Ballet Lower School, White Lodge. Miss Fewster was a great proponent of the Cecchetti Method. The Winner’s Award is £1,500 and the Runner Up Award is £750. In addition there are Awards of £200 each for FCS Musicality and FCS Promising Young Dancer Award.
FCS competitors will participate in an adjudicated ballet class onstage set at Intermediate level. The class will comprise unset work and some specified traditional Cecchetti exercises. Candidates must be aged between 13 years and 18 years on 1st September 2026.
The FCS Terms & Conditions document gives full details of eligibility and further competition information and can be downloaded below.
Barbara Geoghegan Award (BGA)
This Award was created in 1998 to honour Barbara Geoghegan in recognition of her devotion to the promotion of the Cecchetti Method over many years. The Winner’s Award is £2,000 and the Runner Up Award is £1,000. In addition there are Awards of £325 each for BGA Musicality and BGA Promising Young Dancer.
BGA competitors will participate in an adjudicated ballet class onstage set at Advanced 1 level and perform a solo. The class will comprise unset work and some specified traditional Cecchetti exercises. Candidates must be aged between 14 years and 19 years on 1st September 2026. The BGA Terms & Conditions document gives further information and can be downloaded below.
Cyril Beaumont Scholarship
This scholarship was founded in 1950 by Cyril Beaumont whose lifelong dedication to the Cecchetti Method led to the establishment of the first Cecchetti Society and the recording of the Method in the Cecchetti Manual. His generous legacy enabled the founding of the Cecchetti Society Trust. The Winner’s Award is £2,500 and the Runner Up Award is £1,250. In addition there are Awards of £450 each for CBS Musicality and CBS Promising Young Dancer.
CBS competitors will participate in an adjudicated ballet class onstage set at Advanced 2 level and perform a solo. The class will comprise unset work and some specified traditional Cecchetti exercises.
Candidates must be aged between 15 years and 20 years on 1st September 2026. The CBS Terms & Conditions document gives further information and can be downloaded below.