Young dancers from around the world brought Rambert Grades repertoire to the stage at the Global Dance Open Grand Finals in San Sebastián this summer. 

The 2026 Young Artists of the Globe had the opportunity to learn, rehearse and perform a Rambert Grades solo choreographed by Olivier Award-winning choreographer Will Tuckett, as part of their experience as finalists at this year’s competition. 

Inspired by the ‘Aviary’ movement from Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals, the solo explores character, theatrical space and dynamic movement through Tuckett’s distinctive choreographic style. 

Created by Tuckett as a solo for Rambert Grades Storytellers Performance Strand, the work was specially adapted for a group performance at the Global Dance Open. The dancers worked with Rambert Grades Delivering Artist and Examiner Elly Braund, who rehearsed the adapted choreography with the Young Artists ahead of their performance. 

The opportunity culminated at the Global Dance Open Grand Finals in San Sebastián, Spain, in July 2026, where the group performed the piece fantastic reception. 

From Rambert repertoire to the next generation 

This performance has a connection to a much longer history of Carnival of the Animals within the Rambert repertoire. The work has appeared in the company's repertoire in various forms since Cecil Bates’ production in 1952, followed by Siobhan Davies’ version, which premiered in 1982.  

Tuckett’s Grade 2 solo acknowledges this history while creating something new for the next generation of dancers as a part of their Rambert Grades training.