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Sydney Eisteddfod announces the 2022 Ballet Scholarship Finalists

Sydney Eisteddfod announces the 2022 Ballet Scholarship Finalists

admin 08/08/2022 Australian Dance News No Comment

After two years of cancelled events, the excitement for the Sydney Eisteddfod Ballet Scholarship Final was outstanding, with almost 200 entrants eager to compete, making it one of Sydney Eisteddfod’s most significant events in the Festival.

Out of the nearly 200 entrants, 8 of the most promising young Australian ballet dancers were selected to compete in the 2022 Sydney Eisteddfod Ballet Scholarship Final, which will take place at the world-renowned Sydney Opera House on Sunday 28 August.

Each year, the Sydney Eisteddfod Ballet Scholarship attracts emerging young ballet dancers aged 16-20 from across Australia and New Zealand. This year young dancers represented regional and metro areas from NSW, QLD, VIC, ACT and WA.

This prestigious scholarship has been shooting stars into leading ballet companies worldwide for decades, among them, Leanne Stojmenov and Adam Bull from The Australian Ballet and Steven McRae and Alexander Campbell from The Royal Ballet.

This year’s Sydney Eisteddfod Ballet Scholarship Finalists are Amelia Soh (Neutral Bay, NSW), Noah Cosgriff (Highett, VIC), Joseph Dufty (Gillieston Heights, NSW), LilySophia Dashwood (Hampton, VIC), Chelsea Potter (Fletcher, NSW), Emily Sprout (McDowall, QLD), Tahlia Kirke (Mudgeeraba, QLD), and Ben Moss (St Ives, NSW).

The accomplished adjudicators, Christian Tátchev, Director of Queensland Ballet and Lisa Pavane, Director of The Australian Ballet School, selected the eight finalists after they undertook the demanding process of competing in the Heats, Quarter-Final and a closed Semi-Final Masterclass held over a few days. The finalists displayed impeccable talent and superior technique.

For the Final event, Li Cunxin AO, Artistic Director of Queensland Ballet and Aurélien Scannella, Artistic Director of the West Australian Ballet, will join the adjudication panel. Well-known ABC News Reporter Nicole Chettle will host the event. It is a life- changing opportunity for the finalists to perform in front of a renowned expert panel of adjudicators representing four states across Australia.

This scholarship is widely regarded as the most valuable award in the southern hemisphere, with a total prize value of $32,000. It would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors; The Estate of the Late Leslie Andrews, Sydney Eisteddfod Jubilee Fund, Bloch for Dancers and The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet.

The 2022 Sydney Eisteddfod Ballet Scholarship Final will be held on Sunday 28 August, 2:30pm at Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall. This year’s scholarship finalists will share the stage with 8 of the best Jazz Dance Groups of any age, each of which have earned a place in their own final. The event will showcase the exceptional quality of Australia’s top Classical and Jazz talent! Tickets for the final are $65 and may be purchased here.