Turkish ballerina granted coveted UK diploma

A Turkish ballerina has succeeded in getting a diploma from England's renowned Royal Academy of Dance for the first time in the 60-year history of Turkish ballet. The program is an internationally accepted English ballet training system, from which only about 100 people have been entitled to receive a diploma over the last 20 years. This year, Sayın was one of 15 professional dancers invited to the academy and after various tests she succeeded in getting the diploma.

Since 1940s

 Her success comes as Turkish ballet has been front and center recently.

September is an important month for various events taking place as part of the lead-up to Istanbul European Capital of Culture 2010. One of them was the first Istanbul International Ballet competition held Sept. 8 to 13. Organized by the Directorate General of State Opera and Ballet, the competition, which aimed to make Turkey's name globally known in ballet circles, was a milestone in the history of Turkish ballet.

Turkey's ballet history dates back to the 1940s. The first ballet school of was founded in 1948 in Istanbul upon the invitation of Irish-born ballerina Dame Ninette de Valois, who was the founder of London's renowned Royal Ballet of School, to Turkey.

Following in the footsteps of de Valois, many Turkish ballet dancers have been trained since. And now after 60 years, for the first time a Turkish ballerina, Şehnaz Ebru Sayın, was accepted to the "Professional Dancers Teaching Diploma" program at England's famous school. 

The program meets the needs of professional dancers who wish to gain the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to teach and extend their career in the art of ballet. The diploma certifies that the person is able to train students of various levels, including international professional ballet groups.

Having graduated from Russian State Conservatory and Mimar Sinan University Ballet Dance Department, Sayın has been dancing since she was 3. She is also the founder of the International Ebru Ballet and Dance Schools, located in Istanbul's Tarabya district.

 With over 13,000 members in 79 countries, RAD is one of the largest and most influential dance education and training organizations in the world. Established in 1920 to improve standards and re-invigorate dance training, the academy helps and encourages its teachers to improve their teaching skills.