Nadia Nerina Scholar announced
We are delighted to announce that the 2017-20 recipient of The Royal Ballet School Nadia Nerina Scholarship is Amir Shah. Amir, who is from Mumbai, India, joined the 1st Year (Upper School) at the start of this academic year. Not only is Amir the first Indian student to be awarded the scholarship he is also the first ever Indian student at the School.
Amir Shah said:
‘It is a privilege to be at The Royal Ballet School; I am settling in well, enjoying my classes and am lucky to be surrounded by such fantastic people. I am so grateful for the Nadia Nerina Scholarship, without it I know I wouldn’t be here.’
The Nadia Nerina Scholarship is a gift in perpetuity to The Royal Ballet School from The Philip Loubser Foundation. The Scholarship is designed to support exceptionally talented students from beyond the European Union with a scholarship for their three years at the School. It is awarded every two years with the intention that the 1st Year student has a ‘mentor’ in the graduate year student who has also benefitted from the scholarship. Amir’s mentor will be 3rd Year student Yu Hang.
Christopher Powney, Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet School said:
‘Amir is the fifth recipient of the Nadia Nerina Scholarship and, once again, the support and generosity of The Philip Loubser Foundation has ensured that another young dancer can fulfil their potential in training with us. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to The Philip Loubser Foundation for supporting Amir and are excited to watch his progress over the next three years.’
The Philip Loubser Foundation also supports young talent in the performing arts of opera, music and theatre. At the beginning of September this year, current and former Philip Loubser Foundations fellows, including two Royal Ballet School alumni, came together for a Fellowship Weekend; an opportunity for the young artists to meet and share their experiences and successes. Previous Nadia Nerina Scholars include Joonhyuk Jun, Hannah Bettes and Esteban Hernandez.
What an amazing opportunity for Amir. We wish him all the luck to make his dream come true
I have always thought Amir is a wonderful ballet dancer. I hope he is a great success.
Well done young man. You are a great dancer. Hope to see you dance one day..
So good to see young Esteban Hernandez has gone on to become a soloist with the San Francisco Ballet.