Sydney Eisteddfod Ballet Scholarship Finalists Announced
The Sydney Eisteddfod Ballet Scholarships provide the most valuable and prestigious awards in the Southern Hemisphere to encourage students in the study of the art of ballet. 16 finalists (8 in each age group) will take to the Concert Hall stage at the Sydney Opera House this Sunday, July 21, and dance for a live audience and the adjudicating panel of industry luminaries Stanton Welch, Christian Tatchev, Slava Tutukin and Lynette Wills.
The Ballet Gala also includes a Guest Performance by Australian ballerina Jessica Fyfe, currently Principal with Scottish Ballet, and the premiere of a new piece of music for ballet, composed by Daniel Rojas and choreographed by Xanthe Geeves. Vaije de Sueños will be performed by Daniel Rojas on piano with the inaugural Sydney Eisteddfod String Quartet, accompanied by dancers from the Australian Youth Ballet.
The Senior (16-19 years) finalists are: Lila McGrath (Bucasia, QLD), Freya Wild (Ashfield, NSW), Pelagia Karakontis (Kingsford, NSW), Charlie Carberry (North Balgowlah, NSW), Ernesto Young (Cronulla, NSW), Tahlia Szumowski (Ascot, QLD), Nicholas Chan (Pymble, NSW), and Georgia Lorange (Tambourine Mountain, QLD).
The Junior (14-15 years) finalists are: Oscar Taggart (Wollongong, NSW), Leni Howlett (Nerrina, VIC), Ryan Keo (Newscastle, NSW), Scarlett Weaver (Lane Cove, NSW), Charlie Duwner (Islington, NSW), Aspen Edwards (Torquay, VIC), Elih Egan (Kurri Kurri, NSW), and Benjamin Groen (Auckland, NZ).
The Senior prize is $18,000 ($3,000 cash plus a $15,000 Scholarship) for the winner, and for 2nd place, $10,000 ($2,000 cash plus an $8,000 Scholarship).
Further opportunities for Senior Finalists include:
Houston Ballet Academy (Texas, USA) Scholarships: At the discretion of the Artistic Director, the Senior and Junior Scholarship winners will be offered the opportunity to attend a 4-week intensive with the Houston Ballet Academy based at the Houston Ballet Centre for Dance, a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Houston’s vibrant theatre district.
Australian Ballet & Australian Ballet School: Two Senior finalists may be awarded the opportunity to attend classes and observe rehearsals with the Company and/or School for one week in 2024.
Queensland Ballet & Queensland Ballet Academy: Two Senior finalists may be awarded the opportunity to attend classes and observe rehearsals with the Company and/or Academy for one week in 2024.
The Junior prize is $7,000 ($1,000 cash, plus a $6,000 Scholarship) for the winner, and for 2nd place, $1,500.
The 2024 Sydney Eisteddfod Ballet Scholarship Gala takes place on Sunday 21 July, 5.00pm, at Sydney Opera House (Concert Hall). Click here to learn more.
Sydney Eisteddfod Senior Finalists, Image credit BWP Studios