Vale Jill Cadden

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Jill Cadden, a treasured Royal Academy of Dance teacher, Life Member, and passionate advocate for ballet education in Queensland. Jill passed away peacefully last Saturday afternoon at the age of 95.

Jill’s teaching career began remarkably early, at just 15 years old in Brisbane. From those early beginnings, she dedicated her life to nurturing and inspiring generations of dancers, becoming a highly respected figure in the dance community. Her students consistently achieved outstanding results in their RAD examinations, particularly at the Major (now Vocational) levels. Many dancers fondly remember their formative training under her expert guidance.

Her influence extended far beyond the classroom. Jill was the resident choreographer at Brisbane’s Twelfth Night Theatre and for ten years she shaped the beloved Christmas in Storyland productions at Brisbane City Hall—a treasured tradition running from the 1930s to the mid-1990s.

Jill’s students have gone on to dance with some of the world’s most prestigious companies, including the Royal Ballet, The Australian Ballet, Queensland Ballet, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. One of her earliest students, Carmel Nolan, became a professional dancer with both the Australian Ballet and Queensland Ballet after training with Jill from the age of two and a half until earning her Solo Seal at 15.

Beyond her teaching, Jill’s lifelong commitment to the Royal Academy of Dance and to maintaining the highest standards in classical ballet earned her the admiration of colleagues and students alike. She remained closely connected to the RAD community throughout her life, inspiring countless dancers and educators.

Jill’s legacy lives on through her daughter, Kristine Ditchfield, who continues to teach RAD students in the Noosa area, carrying forward the family’s dedication to ballet education.

Jill will be remembered as a passionate teacher, a steadfast supporter of the Royal Academy of Dance, and a cherished mentor to many. Her profound contributions to ballet in Queensland and to the RAD are deeply appreciated and will be remembered for generations.

Our thoughts are with her family, friends, former students, and the many teachers and examiners who had the privilege of knowing her. Jill Cadden’s impact on the dance community will continue to resonate for years to come.