6 September 2022 15:41

Audrey Nicholls OAM FRAD Awards 2022

Higher Grades winners announced

It's been a long hiatus for the Audrey Nicholls OAM FRAD Awards in Melbourne. Last run prior to the pandemic in 2019, we were so excited to see our Victorian dancers return to performance in this event in September.

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....

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

OVERALL AWARDS

Most Potential Grades 5 – 8: Amy Hou from TDC The Dance Company (Grade 5)
Runner Up Grades 5 – 8: Thomas Smithers from Jane Moore Academy of Ballet (Grade 7)

Martin Rubinstein Award Grades 5 – 8: Leon Bowman from FlashDance Performing Arts (Grade 7)

RAD Centenary Medal Grades 5 – 8: Amaaya Jayamaha from Parkwood Dance Academy (Grade 7)

The winners for Grades 1-4 will be announced after part two of this event on Sunday 11 September.

Photo: Students from Grade 7

With thanks to our Student Activities Programme Sponsors