The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Australia proudly announces the successful completion of the Jacqueline Morland Awards held on the 29th and 30th of March, 2025, at the stunning Thomas Dixon Centre, Brisbane. The state flagship event celebrated its 30th anniversary year with the exceptional talent of RAD students from Queensland and Northern NSW on full display, demonstrating the high standard of ballet and dance education in the region.
This year’s competition saw 200 dancers participating in the semi-final classes taught by Nicole Galea on Saturday 29 March with 51 finalists chosen to perform in the finals on Sunday 30 March, alongside 70 students performing in group dances, rehearsed over four weeks leading up to the awards. The awards showcased the work of RAD students from Grade 4 to Advanced 1 and 2, highlighting the exceptional teaching in the region and giving students an opportunity to showcase their talents in the uplifting and supportive environment fostered within the RAD community.
In celebration of the 30th anniversary, a function was held following the awards with special guests including Jacqueline Morland’s daughter, Anthea Morland who travelled from the UK to attend. Other guests included Tania Whelan, former Chair of the QLD Advisory Panel and RAD President Award recipient, Margaret Lucas, former RAD teacher, Panel Chair and Trustee of the Patricia Macdonald Foundation as well as RAD Examiners and several former long serving panel members whose significant contributions to the success of the awards over 30 years were recognised and celebrated.
Adjudicators Lisa Pavane and Rachael Walsh expressed their appreciation of the work on display;
"Being part of the Jacqueline Morland Awards was such a beautiful experience. The candidates demonstrated notable talent and dedication, highlighting the hard work and passion that go into their achievements and the support they receive. It was rewarding to see so many students striving for excellence. A big thank you to the organisers for their commitment to dance education and for providing such a valuable platform for students to showcase their work. Congratulations to everyone."
"It has been a joy and a privilege to adjudicate the Jacqueline Morland Awards in its 30th anniversary year. Held in the beautiful Talbot Theatre of the Thomas Dixon Centre, the RAD team are to be congratulated for creating an inspiring environment for the ballet community to connect, share and enjoy a weekend of excellence and fun for young aspiring dancers.”
Shelley Yacopetti, National Director, reflected on the event's success: "It was a wonderful and truly inspiring weekend of dance at the 30th anniversary of the Jacqueline Morland Awards, not only to see such exceptional talent on stage but to see the RAD community thriving in QLD. The awards, held at the stunning Thomas Dixon Centre, were exceptionally well managed by Nadia Parker, Regional Manager QLD and her incredible team, emphasising the importance of facilitating these milestone events for RAD students.”
The Awards recognised the exceptional performances across various categories, with winners, runners-up, encouragement and artistic awards being presented to the most outstanding participants in each level. Notable scholarships were also awarded to dancers, providing them opportunities to further their training with leading dance institutions.
The Prize Winners of the 2025 Jacqueline Morland Awards are:
- Grade 4
- Winner: Abigail Halim, Creative Academy of Performing Arts (CAPA)
- Runner Up: Avery Bell-Butchard, Prima Youth Classical Academy
- Encouragement: Elizabeth Trieu, Hinterland Dance Academy
- Grade 5
- Winner: Vida Ambrosia Lopera, Kick Dance
- Runner Up: Annie Weng, Queensland Dance Centre
- Encouragement: Phoebe So, Queensland Dance Centre
- Intermediate Foundation
- Winner: Xirui Xu, Queensland Dance Centre
- Runner Up: Maci Smith, Classical Coaching Australia
- Encouragement: Stella Jackson, Anne Fraser Classical Coaching
- Intermediate
- Winner: Siena Leishman, Creative Academy of Performing Arts (CAPA)
- Runner Up: Callum Lehman, Queensland College of Dance (QCD)
- Encouragement: Madelene Thwaite, BMC Coaching
- Advanced Foundation
- Winner: Taylor Trezise, Annette Roselli Dance Academy
- Runner Up: Camryn Warry, Prima Youth Classical Academy
- Encouragement: Diana Shtengelova, MVMT Dance Complex
- Advanced 1 and 2
- Winner: Tahlia Szumowski, Queensland College of Dance (QCD)
- Runner Up: Elodie Lamont, Queensland College of Dance (QCD)
- Encouragement: Isabelle Pryce-Davies, Ellapointe Dance Studio/Queensland College of Dance (QCD)
Artistry Awards
- Siena Leishman, Creative Academy of Performing Arts (CAPA)
- Elodie Lamont, Queensland College of Dance (QCD)
Scholarship Awards
- Australasian Dance Collective – Kyle Yeo, Queensland College of Dance (QCD)
- Australian Ballet School – Samuel Gillespie, Classical Coaching Australia
- Australian Ballet School – Madelene Thwaite, BMC Coaching
- New Zealand School of Dance - Isabelle Pryce-Davies, Ellapointe Dance Studio/Queensland College of Dance (QCD)
- Queensland Ballet Academy – Lila Forkes, Prima Youth Classical Academy
- Queensland Ballet Academy – Taylor Trezise, Annette Roselli Dance Academy
- Queensland Ballet Academy – Eleanor Trieu, Hinterland Dance Academy
- Queensland Ballet Academy – Elizabeth Trieu, Hinterland Dance Academy
- Sydney Dance Company - Caitlin Volker, Sayers Dance Centre
- Sydney Dance Company - Amy Westcott, The Dance Centre Peregian Springs
RAD Australia extends its gratitude to their National Sponsors, Bloch Australia, Energetiks, and Capezio, and event sponsors and volunteers, and the Regional Advisory Panel of Queensland for their continued support.