2025 Susan Sargison Awards and Joan Burnett OAM Scholarship Winners Announced
The Royal Academy of Dance is delighted to announce the outstanding recipients of the 2025 Susan Sargison Awards and Joan Burnett OAM Scholarship, held over the weekend of 11–12 October at Scotch Oakburn College, Newstead
These prestigious annual events celebrate the talent, artistry, and dedication of young ballet dancers across Tasmania, providing invaluable performance experience and scholarship opportunities to further their dance training.
The Susan Sargison Awards – Saturday 11 October
Open to Tasmanian students Grades 1–5, the Susan Sargison Awards aim to nurture talent and build confidence in performance settings while providing a pathway toward higher-level opportunities and international competitions.
Students participated in a syllabus class on stage, with finalists selected to perform their syllabus dance in the finals. The Awards were adjudicated by RAD Examiner Susan Sargison, whose extensive performing career has spanned over fifteen years in classical ballet and musical theatre across Asia, Europe, and the United Kingdom.
Reflecting on this year’s event, Ms Sargison said:
“From Studio to the Stage, Tasmanian dancers performed their syllabus work in the Royal Academy of Dance Susan Sargison Awards. I feel so proud that these awards are growing in community spirit and that I am able to give an opportunity to support young Tasmanian dancers.”
Susan Sargison Award Winners 2025
Grade 1
First Place – Audrey Lillian Shepherd, The Ballet School Launceston
Runner-Up – Eden Saige Hope, Barbara Todd Ballet
Encouragement Award – Everly Sucic, Caroline Small School of Dance
Grade 2
First Place – Anais Jones-Macuacua, Caroline Small School of Dance
Runner-Up – Eloise Small, Caroline Small School of Dance
Encouragement Award – Remi West, Dance Pointe Academy
Grade 3
First Place – Lana Mitchell, Caroline Small School of Dance
Runner-Up – Eloise Kottaras, Caroline Small School of Dance
Encouragement Award – Aspen Maynard, Dance Pointe Academy
Grade 4
First Place – Chloe Nguyen, Ballet and Dance Arts Tasmania
Runner-Up – Shosanna Garratt, The Ballet School Launceston
Encouragement Award – Esther Cassidy, Dance Pointe Academy
Grade 5
First Place – Jessica Lowe, Dance Pointe Academy
Runner-Up – Evelyn Cate Churchill, House of Dance
Encouragement Award – Brigitte Gravell, House of Dance
Encouragement Scholarship – Dance Fest ’25 Summer School (Value $485)
Winner – Seanne Birmingham, Ballet and Dance Arts Tasmania
Most Potential – Susan Sargison Overall Winner ($1,000 cash prize + NTBS Summer School)
Winner – Mia Saltmarsh, Caroline Small School of Dance
Most Potential Runner-Up (Bloch Award)
Winner – Effie Leung, The Ballet School Launceston
Encouragement Boys Award (Bloch Award)
Winner – Lincoln Kirschbaum, Dance Pointe Academy
The Joan Burnett OAM Scholarship – Sunday 12 October
The Joan Burnett OAM Scholarship recognises Intermediate Foundation through Advanced level students for their technique, artistry, and performance potential.
Students in Intermediate Foundation and Intermediate levels participated in a syllabus class with an unseen enchaînement, while Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1, and Advanced 2 students took part in an open class led by Susan Sargison. Finalists were then selected to perform their syllabus dances in the finals.
The Scholarship was adjudicated by Lyndelle Steer, whose expertise and feedback offered valuable insights for all participants.
Joan Burnett OAM Scholarship Winners 2025
Intermediate Foundation
First Place – Alice Yang, Hobart Dance Academy
Runner-Up – Stephanie Sarah Louisa Shar, Barbara Todd Ballet School
Artistry Award – Reagan Burgess, Hobart Dance Academy
Encouragement Award – Zoe Weeding, Dance Pointe Academy
Intermediate
First Place – Layla Chugg, Dance Pointe Academy
Runner-Up – Freya Hough, Caroline Small School of Dance
Artistry Award – Lucinda Fielding, Caroline Small School of Dance
Encouragement Award – Monica Carmen, Caroline Small School of Dance
Advanced
First Place – Isla Symons, Caroline Small School of Dance
Runner-Up – Ruby Symons, Caroline Small School of Dance
Artistry Award – Nyah Scarlett Anderson, Caroline Small School of Dance
Encouragement Award – Emily Rose Reardon, Ballet and Dance Arts Tasmania
Encouragement Scholarship – Dance Fest ’25 Summer School (Value $485)
Winner – Morgan Bannister, Hobart Dance Academy
Most Potential – Joan Burnett Scholarship Overall Winner ($1,000 cash prize)
Winner – Ruby Miedecke, Ballet and Dance Arts Tasmania
The Royal Academy of Dance congratulates all participating dancers for their exceptional performances and commitment to excellence in ballet training.
RAD Australia extends its sincere thanks to adjudicators Lyndelle Steer and Susan Sargison, event volunteers, and the Regional Advisory Panel of Victoria & Tasmania for their contribution to the success of this year’s Awards. We are also grateful to our National Sponsors, Bloch Australia, Energetiks, and Capezio, for their ongoing support of RAD events and opportunities for young dancers.
Images: Abbey Walker Photography
