2025 Susan Sargison Awards and Joan Burnett OAM Scholarship Winners Announced

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is delighted to announce the outstanding recipients of the 2025 Susan Sargison Awards and Joan Burnett OAM Scholarship, held over the weekend of 11–12 October at Scotch Oakburn College, Newstead.

These prestigious annual events celebrate the talent, artistry, and dedication of young ballet dancers across Tasmania, providing invaluable performance experience and scholarship opportunities to further their dance training.

Open to Tasmanian students Grades 1–5, the Susan Sargison Awards aim to nurture talent and build confidence in performance settings while providing a pathway toward higher-level opportunities and international competitions.

Students participated in a syllabus class on stage, with finalists selected to perform their syllabus dance in the finals. The Awards were adjudicated by RAD Examiner Susan Sargison, whose extensive performing career has spanned over fifteen years in classical ballet and musical theatre across Asia, Europe, and the United Kingdom.

Reflecting on this year’s event, Ms Sargison said: “From Studio to the Stage, Tasmanian dancers performed their syllabus work in the Royal Academy of Dance Susan Sargison Awards. I feel so proud that these awards are growing in community spirit and that I am able to give an opportunity to support young Tasmanian dancers.”

In Grade 1, First Place went to Audrey Lillian Shepherd from The Ballet School Launceston, with Runner-Up to Eden Saige Hope from Barbara Todd Ballet, and Encouragement Award to Everly Sucic from Caroline Small School of Dance. In Grade 2, First Place was awarded to Anais Jones-Macuacua from Caroline Small School of Dance, Runner-Up to Eloise Small from Caroline Small School of Dance, and Encouragement Award to Remi West from Dance Pointe Academy.

In Grade 3, First Place went to Lana Mitchell from Caroline Small School of Dance, Runner-Up to Eloise Kottaras from Caroline Small School of Dance, and Encouragement Award to Aspen Maynard from Dance Pointe Academy. In Grade 4, First Place was awarded to Chloe Nguyen from Ballet and Dance Arts Tasmania, Runner-Up to Shosanna Garratt from The Ballet School Launceston, and Encouragement Award to Esther Cassidy from Dance Pointe Academy. In Grade 5, First Place went to Jessica Lowe from Dance Pointe Academy, Runner-Up to Evelyn Cate Churchill from House of Dance, and Encouragement Award to Brigitte Gravell from House of Dance.

The Encouragement Scholarship for Dance Fest ’25 Summer School, valued at $485, was awarded to Seanne Birmingham from Ballet and Dance Arts Tasmania. The Most Potential Susan Sargison Overall Winner, receiving a $1,000 cash prize plus NTBS Summer School, was Mia Saltmarsh from Caroline Small School of Dance. The Most Potential Runner-Up Bloch Award went to Effie Leung from The Ballet School Launceston, and the Encouragement Boys Award Bloch Award was presented to Lincoln Kirschbaum from Dance Pointe Academy.

The Joan Burnett OAM Scholarship recognises Intermediate Foundation through Advanced level students for their technique, artistry, and performance potential.

Students in Intermediate Foundation and Intermediate levels participated in a syllabus class with an unseen enchaînement, while Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1, and Advanced 2 students took part in an open class led by Susan Sargison. Finalists were then selected to perform their syllabus dances in the finals.

The Scholarship was adjudicated by Lyndelle Steer, whose expertise and feedback offered valuable insights for all participants.

In Intermediate Foundation, First Place went to Alice Yang from Hobart Dance Academy, Runner-Up to Stephanie Sarah Louisa Shar from Barbara Todd Ballet School, Artistry Award to Reagan Burgess from Hobart Dance Academy, and Encouragement Award to Zoe Weeding from Dance Pointe Academy.

In Intermediate, First Place went to Layla Chugg from Dance Pointe Academy, Runner-Up to Freya Hough from Caroline Small School of Dance, Artistry Award to Lucinda Fielding from Caroline Small School of Dance, and Encouragement Award to Monica Carmen from Caroline Small School of Dance.

In Advanced, First Place went to Isla Symons from Caroline Small School of Dance, Runner-Up to Ruby Symons from Caroline Small School of Dance, Artistry Award to Nyah Scarlett Anderson from Caroline Small School of Dance, and Encouragement Award to Emily Rose Reardon from Ballet and Dance Arts Tasmania.

The Encouragement Scholarship for Dance Fest ’25 Summer School, valued at $485, was awarded to Morgan Bannister from Hobart Dance Academy. The Most Potential Joan Burnett Scholarship Overall Winner, receiving a $1,000 cash prize, was Ruby Miedecke from Ballet and Dance Arts Tasmania.

The Royal Academy of Dance congratulates all participating dancers for their exceptional performances and commitment to excellence in ballet training.

RAD Australia extends its sincere thanks to adjudicators Lyndelle Steer and Susan Sargison, event volunteers, and the Regional Advisory Panel of Victoria & Tasmania for their contribution to the success of this year’s Awards. They are also grateful to their National Sponsors, Bloch Australia, Energetiks, and Capezio, for their ongoing support of RAD events and opportunities for young dancers.

Visit https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/en-au/ to learn more.

Susan Sargison Awards – Overall Winners, Credit Abbey Walker Photography