26 October 2022 15:17

Huge weekend of ballet in Tasmania

October brought a full weekend of ballet to Tasmania as we held two separate Awards events and our exciting Masterclass series.

The inaugural Susan Sargison Awards, named in honour of former Professional dancer and RAD Examiner and Registered Teacher Susan Sargison, brought together students studying RAD Grades 2-5 from across the state.  Originally due to be added to the RAD calendar in 2021, the event was postponed due to the pandemic.

Susan Sargison who also adjudicated the competition on the day and said:

“It was wonderful to finally hold the inaugural Susan Sargison Grade Awards after all the difficulty of the past few years. The students participating were absolutely delightful presenting their RAD Graded work with such confidence and beautiful smiles. I am so looking forward to 2023! "

Also held on the same day was the annual Joan Burnett Scholarship named for a pioneer of the RAD ballet community in Tasmania. The Joan Burnett Scholarship is for vocational students studying Intermediate Foundation to Advanced levels and was adjudicated this year by David McAllister AC, former Principal Artist and Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet and Vice President of the RAD.

Following the Awards on Sunday 23 October Susan Sargison and David McAllister held a series of ballet Masterclasses across multiple levels to support not just the RAD community, but the wider dance community in the state.

Congratulations to all those who took part across the weekend and thank you to our host venues, class teacher Susan Hill Henning, volunteers and all who helped make the weekend a success.

It is with great pleasure we announce our winners from the Awards....

Susan Sargison Awards 

Overall Winner – Susan Sargison Award
Acacia Myers (Grade 5) trained by Caroline Small School Of Dance

RAD Centenary Medal
Carla Casey (Grade 4) trained by Caroline Small School Of Dance

Bloch Award For Most Potential
Lucinda Fielding (Grade 2) trained by Caroline Small School Of Dance

Grade 2

First Place - Lucinda Fielding trained by Caroline Small School Of Dance
Runner-Up - Calliope Xintavelonis trained by House Of Dance
Encouragement - Florence Burbury trained by Caroline Small School Of Dance
Honourable Mentions - Layla Barber trained by Dance Pointe Academy and
Georgie Morrison trained by Dance Pointe Academy

Grade 3

First Place - Sydney Mcinnes trained by House Of Dance
Runner-Up - Ellouise Thomas trained by Prima Ballet Academy
Encouragement - Zoe Weeding trained by Dance Pointe Academy

Grade 4

First Place - Carla Casey trained by Caroline Small School Of Dance
Runner-Up - Julia Zhou trained by House Of Dance
Encouragement - Isla Symons trained by Caroline Small School Of Dance
Honourable Mentions - Layla Chugg trained by Dance Pointe Academy and
Arabella Hirst trained by Ballet & Dance Arts Tasmania

Grade 5

First Place - Acacia Myers trained by Caroline Small School Of Dance
Runner-Up - Molly Ross trained by Dance Pointe Academy
Encouragement - Aurelia Livingston trained by Industrie Performing Arts

Joan Burnett Scholarship

Overall Winner – Joan Burnett Scholarship
Ruby Symons (Intermediate) trained by Caroline Small School Of Dance

RAD Centenary Medal
Zoe Gillow (Advanced) trained by Ballet & Dance Arts Tasmania

Intermediate Foundation

First Place –  Yazminn Andrews trained by House Of Dance
Runner-Up – Molly Verrier trained by  House Of Dance
Artistry – Maeve Rickerby trained by Ballet & Dance Arts Tasmania
Encouragement – Seren Whittaker trained by House Of Dance
Honourable Mentions – Azia Kourakis trained by Ballet & Dance Arts Tasmania and
Shaneli Vithanarachchi trained by Ballet & Dance Arts Tasmania

Intermediate

First Place – Ruby Symons trained by Caroline Small School Of Dance
Runner-Up – Esther Walsh trained by House Of Dance
Artistry – Ivy Blachford trained by House Of Dance
Encouragement – Lillian Barns trained by Dance Pointe Academy
Honourable Mentions – Lydia Sutton trained by Caroline Smalls School Of Dance

Advanced

First Place – Zoe Gillow trained by Ballet & Dance Arts Tasmania
Runner-Up – Gabrielle Mcdonald trained by Dance Pointe Academy
Artistry – Nyah Anderson trained by Caroline Small School Of Dance
Encouragement – Emily Reardon trained by Ballet & Dance Arts Tasmania
Honourable Mentions –
Sarah Gilmour trained by House Of Dance
Maisie Howard trained by Ballet & Dance Arts Tasmania
Holli Niland trained by Ballet & Dance Arts Tasmania
Emma Spanos trained by Ballet & Dance Arts Tasmania