Prize Recipients Announced at the 2026 Audrey Nicholls OAM Awards
The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) proudly celebrated the talent and artistry of young Victorian dancers at the 45th annual Audrey Nicholls OAM Awards, held across 29–30 August 2026 at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS).
Students from Grades 1 to 8 took part in preliminary heats and semi-final classes, led by class teachers Julie Fleming ARAD and Moya Stubbs. Selected finalists then progressed to the Finals, where they performed their variations before this year’s adjudicators Crystal Wong LRAD ARAD, Wendy Holt ARAD and Lucinda Dunn OAM.
The adjudicators considered technique, musicality and performance throughout the classes and studies, with Winners, Runners Up, Artistry and Encouragement Awards presented across each grade, alongside the Overall Awards and scholarships.
The 2026 Awards held particular significance as the first to take place following the passing of Audrey Nicholls OAM FRAD ARAD, a much-loved member of the RAD community whose remarkable contribution to dance continues through the event that bears her name.
RAD Australia National Director Shelley Yacopetti reflected on Audrey’s enduring legacy:
“Audrey made an extraordinary and lasting contribution to the RAD and to the dance community in Victoria, and it is a privilege to continue celebrating her legacy through the Awards that bear her name. Her passion for dance and commitment to generations of young dancers will continue to inspire for many years to come.”
Results – 2026 Audrey Nicholls OAM Awards
Grades 1–4
Audrey Nicholls Award Most Potential: Pollyanna Sutcliffe – Expressions Ballet Academy
Audrey Nicholls Runner Up: Poppy Dunn – Expressions Ballet Academy
Martin Rubinstein Award: William Ferguson – Geelong Ballet Centre
Sydney Dance Company Workshop: Xavier Reino – Flashdance Performing Arts
Grades 5–8
Audrey Nicholls Award Most Potential: Stella Bateman – Jane Moore Academy of Ballet
Audrey Nicholls Runner Up: Unathi Omaru – The Academy of Classical Ballet
Martin Rubinstein Award: Alicia Nguyen – Jane Moore Academy of Ballet
Sydney Dance Company Scholarship: Mavis Deng – Academy of Dance Victoria
Academy of Queensland Ballet Scholarship: Mikael Grasby – Jane Moore Academy of Ballet
Academy of Queensland Ballet Scholarship: Stella Bateman – Jane Moore Academy of Ballet
A full list of Grade Winners, Runners Up, Artistry Award and Encouragement Award recipients can be viewed here.
Honouring Audrey Nicholls OAM FRAD ARAD
Audrey Nicholls was one of Australia’s most respected and admired figures in dance, with a remarkable career as a dancer, teacher, examiner and mentor that touched generations of students and teachers.
Born in Townsville, Queensland, Audrey enjoyed an illustrious performing career in Australia and internationally. She was a Principal Dancer with Ballet Rambert in the UK, a Leading Soloist with the Borovansky Ballet and Principal Guest Artist with Ballet Guild (Ballet Victoria). Her career highlights included dancing the title role in Giselle, Swanilda in Coppélia and performing for the Queen Mother at a Royal Command Performance. Later in her career, she returned to the stage as a Guest Artist with The Australian Ballet.
Audrey’s contribution to dance extended far beyond the stage. Together with fellow dancer Eve King and senior staff teacher Martin Rubinstein, she helped lead a successful full-time ballet school in Melbourne for 40 years, nurturing generations of young dancers. Her extraordinary association with the RAD included 33 years as an RAD Graded Examiner, as well as many years supporting and mentoring teachers and new examiners.
In recognition of her contribution to dance, Audrey was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Dance in 2011 and the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2013 for her service to the performing arts, particularly ballet.
Now in their 45th year, the Audrey Nicholls OAM Awards continue to carry Audrey’s legacy forward, celebrating the dedication, artistry and potential of each new generation of young dancers.
RAD Australia extends its gratitude to Student Events Programme Sponsors Bloch, Energetiks and Capezio, event sponsors The Ballet Society, Sydney Dance Company and Academy of Queensland Ballet, as well as the volunteers, teachers, families and Victorian and Tasmanian Regional Advisory Panel whose support made the 2026 Awards possible.
Images by Belinda Strodder Photography
