RAD Australia Announces Winners of the Joan & Monica Halliday and Isobel Anderson Awards 2025

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Australia is delighted to announce the winners of the 2025 Joan & Monica Halliday Awards and Isobel Anderson Awards, held on the 5th and 6th April at the renowned Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre Sydney.

These annual awards celebrate the artistry and dedication of RAD students from Grade 3 through to Advanced 1, honouring the legacies of Joan and Monica Halliday and Isobel Anderson. The events also highlight the exceptional standard of RAD teaching in the region, offering young dancers a platform to showcase their talents.

This year saw an outstanding response, with over 600 students participating in preliminary and semi-final classes at RAD Australia’s headquarters in March. From these, 37 finalists were selected for the Joan & Monica Halliday Awards (Grades 3, 4, and 5), and 48 finalists for the Isobel Anderson Awards (Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 1), making for an inspiring weekend of performance and achievement.

The Joan & Monica Halliday Awards were adjudicated by RAD Examiner Midori Lotz, while the Isobel Anderson Awards were judged by Melissa McCabe, a former Demi-Soloist with the West Australian Ballet.

Midori Lotz shared her thoughts on the experience: “It was an absolute pleasure to adjudicate the Joan & Monica Halliday Awards. The artistry, enthusiasm, dedication, and technical skill displayed by the young dancers were truly inspiring. Each performance reflected not only strong training but also a genuine love for dance. It truly felt like a celebration of how far they have come. The Royal Academy of Dance is to be commended for creating opportunities like this, and my sincerest congratulations go to the candidates, their teachers, parents, and everyone supporting them on their dance journey.”

Melissa McCabe also reflected on the day: “I was incredibly honoured and privileged to adjudicate the Isobel Anderson Awards. Let me just say—if this is the next generation of dancers, the future is in excellent hands.”

Lucy Miller, who trains at L’Académie, was named the 2025 Joan & Monica Halliday Most Outstanding Dancer, impressing with her refined technique and expressive performance. Julia Zhou from The McDonald College earned the 2025 Isobel Anderson Most Outstanding Dancer Award for her graceful execution and emotionally resonant performance that captivated both adjudicator and audience alike.

In addition to category winners, awards for runners-up and encouragement were presented across all levels. Several scholarships were also awarded, providing recipients with valuable opportunities to further their training with leading dance institutions.

RAD Australia National Director Shelley Yacopetti attended the finals weekend and shared her praise for the event: “It was such a pleasure to attend both the Joan and Monica Halliday and the Isobel Anderson Awards this weekend and witness the talent showcased on stage, the enjoyment and comradery shown off stage and the excited buzz in the air following the awards from all participants, teachers, families and supporters over two days at both events. Thank you to all who made it possible for RAD students to enjoy these wonderful performance opportunities including Bloch our exclusive event sponsor. Congratulations to all the finalists, their RAD teachers and to the dedicated RAD team behind the events success.”

In the Joan & Monica Halliday Awards, Grade 3 saw Emily Luscombe of Performance Art Western Sydney claim the Winner title, with Lani El-Helou of The Illawarra Dance Academy as Runner-Up and Isla Addison of Ettingshausens receiving the Encouragement Award. For Grade 4, Cleo Bell and Lauren Li, both from Dance North Academy, secured the Winner and Runner-Up spots, respectively, while Calab Nissen of The Academy earned the Encouragement Award. Grade 5 honored Liam Forsyth of Sonja Dene Dance Studios as Winner, Koa Fogarty of Dance Sensations as Runner-Up, and Olivia O’Bryan of The McDonald College with the Encouragement Award. Victoria Harper of Joanne Williams Dance Academy won the JMH Commissioned Choreography Award.

In the Isobel Anderson Awards, Natahlia Bogovac of TJS Dance Academy took the Intermediate Foundation Winner title, followed by Suzanne Liu of Redlands Dance Academy/Sonja Dene Dance Studio as Runner-Up and Charlie English of Tanya Pearson Academy with the Encouragement Award. The Intermediate category recognized Florence Hanks-Ruttyn of NSW International Ballet Academy as Winner, Anneke Soulis of The McDonald College as Runner-Up, and Anna Stephensen of Dance North Academy/National College of Dance with the Encouragement Award.

In Advanced Foundation, Maya Kingsmill of Tanya Pearson Academy won, with Maddison Gardner and Ivy Maughan of Ablaze Dance Academy as Runner-Up and Encouragement Award recipient, respectively. Advanced 1 accolades went to India-Rose Macé of Dance North Academy as Winner, Oscar Taggart of Alegria Dance Studios as Runner-Up, and Paityn McLennan of Ablaze Dance Academy with the Encouragement Award. Charli O’Brien of TJS Dance Academy won the Isobel Anderson Commissioned Choreography Award.

The Royal Academy of Dance remains committed to advancing the art of dance and dance education both in Australia and around the world. They look forward to continuing to inspire, support, and celebrate the next generation of dancers in the years ahead. Visit rad.org.au to learn more.

Isobel Anderson Awards, Photo credit Winkipop Media