2025 Diana de Vos Awards Winners Announced

The Royal Academy of Dance is delighted to announce the outstanding recipients of the 2025 Diana de Vos Awards, held on Sunday 16 November at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).

This annual event brought together more than 100 young dancers from Grade 3 through to Advanced 2, celebrating their commitment, artistry, and passion for ballet. The day highlighted not only the talent of Western Australia’s emerging performers but also the dedication of teachers, families, and the wider dance community.

National Director Shelley Yacopetti reflected on the significance of the event, saying: “Congratulations to all involved in the 2025 Diana de Vos Awards. The day was a truly wonderful celebration of talent, artistry and passion, shining through in every performance. We are proud to celebrate the achievements of RAD dancers and their teachers – your accomplishments inspire the entire RAD community.”

The morning saw Grade 3 to Intermediate dancers participate in a set syllabus class, while Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1, and Advanced 2 students took part in a dynamic open class. The Academy extends its sincere thanks to class teachers Nicole Ostler and Rebekah Conry for their beautifully delivered classes and for fostering an encouraging and supportive atmosphere for all participants.

From these classes, adjudicators Brooke Jacobs and Danielle Heywood selected finalists to perform their syllabus dance or variation in the afternoon finals. A total of 41 students took to the space, performing for an enthusiastic audience of teachers, friends, and families.

Adjudicator Danielle Heywood shared her experience: “It was my pleasure to adjudicate for the Diana de Vos Awards 2025 and witness the abundance of emerging talent in WA. My congratulations to all the RAD staff and volunteers who made the day run so smoothly!”

Adjudicator Brooke Jacobs added: “It was an honour to see so many gifted young dancers throughout the day. Their maturity, resilience, and exceptional artistry were inspiring, and they give great promise to the future of ballet in WA.”

The finals were adjudicated by Diana de Vos OAM, Danielle Heywood, and Brooke Jacobs, who awarded prizes across each grade, along with artistic awards and overall titles. The event was MC’d by Philippa Lynas, Regional Manager for SA, WA & NT, and featured remarks from National Director Shelley Yacopetti, making the day a true celebration of Western Australian dance excellence.

This year also marked a significant moment as it was the final time the event would be held in the current WAAPA building, an iconic campus that has hosted countless RAD events and contributed to the artistic journeys of many within the WA dance community.

A heartfelt thank you goes to adjudicators Brooke Jacobs and Danielle Heywood for their generous feedback and encouragement, and to Diana de Vos, a pioneering figure in ballet in Western Australia and internationally whose lifelong dedication to dance and to the Academy continues to shape and inspire generations of dancers.

RAD Australia also acknowledges their valued event sponsors Bloch and Energetiks for their ongoing support, as well as the Western Australian Regional Advisory Panel for their commitment and on-the-ground assistance in bringing this event to life.

The 2025 Diana de Vos Awards celebrated outstanding ballet talent across multiple grades and levels. In Grade 3, Aurora Keating from Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching took first place, with Olivia Rebello from Ignite Dance WA as runner-up. Grade 4 saw Ava Hort from Gail Meade School of Dance claim the win, followed by Ruby Cowin from Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching. Keira Clayton of Ignite Dance WA won Grade 5, ahead of Asia Obales from Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching. The combined Grade 6/7 category was dominated by Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching, with Shelby McAuliffe as winner and Ciera Carter as runner-up.

In the vocational levels, Phoebe Chee from Silhouette Dance Studio won Intermediate Foundation, followed by her studio mate Anna Spencer. Makai Lewis-Rees from Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching took the Intermediate title, with Shelby McAuliffe again placing as runner-up. Bree Stobie of SutuBallet Coaching won Advanced Foundation, ahead of Annah Maria Chapman from Ignite Dance WA. The Advanced 1 category went to Haruku Hoshi from Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching, with Chloe Male from the same studio as runner-up, while Marley Peters, also from Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching, won Advanced 2, followed by Preston Shean from John Curtin College of the Arts.

Artistic Awards were presented to Isaac Rapi-Beddall of Ellenbrook Ballet Academy (Grades 3–5), Makai Lewis-Rees of Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching (Grades 6–7), Dewi Wiasa of Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching (Intermediate Foundation & Intermediate), and Ella Teh of SutuBallet Coaching (Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1 & Advanced 2).

The top overall honours went to Shelby McAuliffe from Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching as Overall Junior Winner and Haruku Hoshi from the same studio as Overall Senior Winner. Congratulations to all participants and award recipients!

Visit rad.org.au to learn more.

Diana de Vos Prize Winners, image credit RAD