12 September 2022 15:34

Audrey Nicholls OAM FRAD Awards 2022

Grades winners announced

During a somber weekend as we reflected on the passing of our Patron Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the second half of Audrey Nicholls OAM FRAD Awards in Melbourne acknowledged the return of our Victorian dancers to performance for the first time since 2019.

Observing a minute's silence as a mark of respect on the day, our students proved themselves worthy of the RAD's Royal Patronage with an excellent standard of performance and dedication demonstrated by all. Some Grade 2 students and RAD Vice President David McAllister AC were filmed and featured in an ABC television news story reflecting on the immense pride RAD dancers feel when they see our Royal Patron noted on their examination certificates. You can see that footage which aired on ABC television news here (please note you will require a free ABC iview account to view this footage. RAD inclusion begins at 18 minutes 20 seconds)

The Audrey Nicholls Awards spans two Sundays this month with students competing in Grades 1 - 8, with the higher Grades added to the event for the first time this year.  Guest adjudicators this year included Jill Ogai, Senior Artist with The Australian Ballet and RAD Vice President David McAllister AC, a former Principal dancer and Artistic Director for The Australian Ballet. New RAD Australia National Director Aaron Bloomfield also joined the attendees, enjoying his first RAD Awards event since commencing his position in July this year.

Congratulations to all the students and their teachers who took the time to prepare and well done to all our winners.

Sincere thanks to all our volunteers and staff who worked so hard to make the event seamless and enjoyable for all concerned and a big thank you to our sponsors including Harlequin Floors, Bloch, Energetiks, Capezio, Audrey Nicholls OAM FRAD ARAD, The Australian Ballet and The Australian Ballet School.

And the winners are....

Overall Winner Grades 1 - 4
Cindy Jiang from Brian Nolan Academy Of Dance

Runner-Up Grades 1 - 4
Paige Riordan from The Academy Of Classical Ballet

Martin Rubinstein Award Grades 1 - 4
Rebecca Hill from Flashdance Performing Arts

Centenary Medal Winner Grades 1 - 4
Miller Phillips from Geelong Ballet Centre

Overall Winner Grades 5 - 8
Amy Hou from TDC The Dance Company

Runner-Up Grades 5 - 8
Thomas Smithers from Jane Moore Academy Of Ballet

Martin Rubinstein Award Grades 5 - 8
Leon Bowman from Flashdance Performing Arts

Centenary Medal Winner Grades 5 – 8
Amaaya Jayamaha from Parkwood Dance Academy

GRADE 1

First Place - Paige Riordan from The Academy of Classical Ballet
Runner up - Luella Murphy from Brian Nolan Academy of Dance
Artistry Award - Katrina Wang from Brian Nolan Academy of Dance
Encouragement – Sophie O’Dwyer from Dance Desires
Honourable Mentions
Velleaire Gualtieri from TDC The Dance Company
Yiln Liu from The National Theatre Ballet School
Isabel Pook from Dance Desires

GRADE 2

First Place - Cindy Jiang from Brian Nolan School of Dance
Runner up - Ava Kroussoratis from TDC The Dance Company
Artistry Award - Charlize Da Costa from TDC The Dance Company
Encouragement – Evie Mason from The Academy of Classical Ballet
Honourable Mentions
Indigo Boccabella from FlashDance Performing Arts
Sissi Kow from Academy of Dance Victoria
Ashlee O’Dwyer from Dance Desires
Erin Wang from Brian Nolan Academy Of Dance

GRADE 3

First Place - Rebecca Hill from FlashDance Performing Arts
Runner up - Swiss Strickland from Expressions Ballet Academy
Artistry Award - Sasha Davis from Geelong Ballet Centre
Encouragement – Ivy Privitelli from Expressions Ballet Academy
Honourable Mentions
Alice Bottomly from Sharon Lawrence Academy of Dance
Minghan Chai from Academy Of Dance Victoria
Jasmine Lui from Dance Desires
Ishani Wattearachchige from Expressions Ballet Academy

GRADE 4

First Place - Miller Phillips from Geelong Ballet Centre
Runner up - Macy Harvie from FlashDance Performing Arts
Artistry Award - Yuri Ko from PCPA
Encouragement - Ramona Muraca-Wood from The National Theatre Ballet School
Honourable Mentions
Tia Copp from Academy Of Dance Victoria
Holly Hetherington from Geelong Ballet Centre
Eva Shiell from Geelong Ballet Centre
Alexandra Ponomarenko from Geelong Ballet Centre

GRADE 5

First Place - Amy Hou from TDC The Dance Company
Runner up - Matilda Whelan from FlashDance Performing Arts
Artistry Award - Avery Nieve Ferris from The Classical Studio
Encouragement – Mavis Deng from Academy of Dance Victoria
Honourable Mentions
Anita Zambetta from FlashDance Performing Arts
Grace Ivas from Academy of Dance Victoria
Miriam Cunliffe from The Classical Studio
Seirai Kamiya from The Classical Studio

GRADE 6

First Place – Isabel Sagona from West Pointe Ballet Academy
Runner up – Ella-Rose Lah from West Pointe Ballet Academy
Artistry – Genevieve Bass from Geelong Ballet Centre
Encouragement - Anya Sawyer from Geelong Ballet Centre
Honourable Mention – Lyla Betts from Geelong Ballet Centre

GRADE 7

First Place – Sienna Romagnino from Jane Moore Academy of Ballet
Runner up – Paige Gill from Jane Moore Academy of Ballet
Artistry – Amaaya Jayamaha from Parkwood Dance Academy
Encouragement – Thomas Smithers from Jane Moore Academy of Ballet
Honourable Mentions
Sophia Smithers from Jane Moore Academy of Ballet
Luca Pezzimenti from FlashDance Performing Arts
Leon Bowman from FlashDance Performing Arts
Summer Wikman from Hilary Debden Academy of Ballet

GRADE 8

First Place – Eve Daley from Geelong Ballet Centre
Runner up – Summer Ottini from The Academy of Classical Ballet
Artistry – Abby Jones from Geelong Ballet Centre
Encouragement – Lucia Schwerdt from Jane Moore Academy of Ballet
Honourable Mentions
Lalu Germaine from West Pointe Ballet Academy
Bridget Weston from West Pointe Ballet Academy
Lillian Mattiske from West Pointe Ballet Academy

With thanks to our Student Activities Programme Sponsors

Thanks also to our Event Sponsors