The St James Theatre in Wellington, NZ, was alive with the energy and artistry of talented young dancers from across Australasia over the Easter period, from April 17th to 21st, for the prestigious 2025 Alana Haines Australasian Awards (AHA Awards). Dancers competed across Junior, Supreme A, and Supreme B categories for significant cash prizes, elite scholarships, and invaluable opportunities.
The biennial event, a highlight in the Southern Hemisphere's dance calendar, once again provided a crucial platform for aspiring dancers to showcase their skills before an internationally acclaimed judging panel. This year's judges included Stéphane Leonard (Director of Royal Winnipeg Ballet School), Loughlan Prior (International award-winning choreographer), and Megan Connelly (Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet School). Dancers also benefited from adjudicated classes led by esteemed tutors such as Sue Nicholls, Laura McQueen Schultz, and Nick Schultz.
Competitors participated in set solos and, for the Supreme categories, an own-choice contemporary or lyrical piece, with eliminations narrowing the field through Quarter and Semi-Finals before the highly anticipated Finals. The atmosphere in the theatre was electric, culminating in a thrilling Finals evening where the top 11 in each age group vied for the top honours.
The results saw remarkable talent recognised:
JUNIOR RESULTS 2025 (Ages 11-12)
- 1ST PLACE: $5,000 Cash - J105 Maci Smith, Classical Coaching Australia, QLD, Australia
- 2ND PLACE: $2,000 Cash - J076 Celeste Robinson, En Pointe School of Ballet, VIC, Australia
- 3RD PLACE: $1,000 Cash - J043 Milla Calyk, Expressions Ballet Academy, VIC, Australia
The Junior category also saw the remaining 8 finalists each receive $500 cash. The Audience Choice Award for this group, sponsored by Capezio Australia, awarded a $150 Dance Requisites Voucher.
Junior Finalists 2025:
- J006 Ava Leiato, Convergence Dance Studios, Christchurch, New Zealand
- J009 Giles Nash, BMC Coaching, QLD, Australia
- J038 Shyla Deegan, Dance Institute, Tauranga, New Zealand
- J043 Milla Calyk, Expressions Ballet Academy, VIC, Australia
- J072 Primrose Leong, Elite Classical Coaching, QLD, Australia
- J073 Lani Gehling, Danielle's Studio of Dance, QLD, Australia
- J076 Celeste Robinson, En Pointe School of Ballet, VIC, Australia
- J077 Swiss Strickland, Expressions Ballet Academy, VIC, Australia
- J100 Estella Ouyang, En Pointe School of Ballet, VIC, Australia
- J105 Maci Smith, Classical Coaching Australia, QLD, Australia
- J106 Ellie Liao, Mt Eden Ballet Academy, Auckland, New Zealand
SUPREME A RESULTS 2025 (Ages 13-14)
- 1ST PLACE: $11,000 Cash - A111 Holly Robinson, Dance North Academy, NSW, Australia
- 2ND PLACE: $6,000 Cash - A050 Jessica Ding, Papilio Atelier, Auckland, New Zealand
- 3RD PLACE: $3,000 Cash - A048 Athena House, Papilio Atelier, Auckland, New Zealand
The 8 remaining finalists in the Supreme A group each received $500 cash. The Audience Choice Award for this category, sponsored by Capezio Australia, was a $250 Dance Requisites Voucher.
Supreme A Finalists 2025:
- A002 Finlay Hunter, Mainly Dance Studios, Auckland, New Zealand
- A009 Ava Haskett, Mt Eden Ballet Academy, Auckland, New Zealand
- A014 Kathy Fang, Dancewest, Auckland, New Zealand
- A044 Havana Thomson, Mt Eden Ballet Academy, Auckland, New Zealand
- A048 Athena House, Papilio Atelier, Auckland, New Zealand
- A050 Jessica Ding, Papilio Atelier, Auckland, New Zealand
- A091 Anna Stephensen, Dance North Academy, NSW, Australia
- A104 Eliza Tham, Glen Iris School of Dance, VIC, Australia
- A108 Angus Fraser, Amanda Bollinger Dance Academy, QLD, Australia
- A111 Holly Robinson, Dance North Academy, NSW, Australia
- A118 Ivy Maughan, Ablaze Dance Academy, NSW, Australia
SUPREME B RESULTS 2025 (Ages 15-18)
- 1ST PLACE: $11,000 Cash - B078 Benjamin Groen, Papilio Atelier, Auckland, New Zealand
- 2ND PLACE: $6,000 Cash - B130 Yi Xuan (Lyn) Lin, New Zealand School of Dance, Wellington, New Zealand
- 3RD PLACE: $3,000 Cash - B134 Yi-Xuan (Ian) Lin, New Zealand School of Dance, Wellington, New Zealand
Similarly, the 8 remaining finalists in the Supreme B group each received $500 cash, and the Audience Choice Award winner received a $250 Dance Requisites Voucher from Capezio Australia.
Supreme B Finalists 2025:
- B002 Diana Shtengelova, Independent, QLD, Australia
- B006 Tamison Soppet, Convergence Dance Studios, Christchurch, New Zealand
- B051 Elodie Lamont, Queensland College of Dance, QLD, Australia
- B058 Yve-Noelle Bollinger, Amanda Bollinger Dance Academy, QLD, Australia
- B078 Benjamin Groen, Papilio Atelier, Auckland, New Zealand
- B109 Keira Rowe, Dance North Academy, NSW, Australia
- B110 Harriet Ensor, Convergence Dance Studios, Christchurch, New Zealand
- B123 Hamish Giddens, Convergence Dance Studios, Christchurch, New Zealand
- B130 Yi Xuan Lin, New Zealand School of Dance, Wellington, New Zealand
- B134 Yi-Xuan Lin, New Zealand School of Dance, Wellington, New Zealand
- B137 Tahlia Szumowski, Queensland College of Dance, QLD, Australia
In total, the 2025 AHA Awards awarded NZ $60,000 in cash prizes. Beyond the monetary awards, the event facilitates over $100,000.00 in elite scholarships to renowned international and Australasian dance schools and programs. Winners of each category also receive complimentary entry to the Finals of the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York, a remarkable stepping stone for their future careers.
The scholarship selection process allows finalists to choose from a comprehensive list, with winners receiving first choice, followed by 2nd and 3rd place getters, and then the remaining finalists on a first-in basis. This ensures that the incredible training opportunities reach a wide range of promising dancers.
The Alana Haines Australasian Awards continues its vital work in supporting and nurturing the next generation of dance talent in the region, providing not only significant financial assistance but also crucial exposure and educational pathways. Congratulations to all the participants, finalists, and winners of the 2025 AHA Awards for their dedication and inspiring performances.
This article will be updated as further information and photographs are released.