Meet Australia’s Fonteyn 2025 Semi-Finalists: Bridie Grice and Mia Atacador
The Royal Academy of Dance Australia is proud to celebrate two outstanding young dancers representing Australia at the 2025 Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition: Bridie Grice (Queensland) and Mia Atacador (Victoria).
The Fonteyn — RAD’s flagship annual competition — is one of the most prestigious ballet events in the world, attracting extraordinary young dancers trained in the RAD syllabus. This year, the competition will take place in São Paulo, Brazil from 11–19 October, marking the first time in its 94-year history that the event will be hosted in Latin America.
Both Bridie and Mia bring not only exceptional technical skill but also inspiring personal stories to the international stage. We caught up with them to hear more about their preparation, inspirations, and what being named a Fonteyn semi-finalist means to them.
Bridie Grice (Queensland)
Currently training at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Bridie describes being selected as a semi-finalist as a “dream come true.”
“In preparation for the Fonteyn, I’ve been working closely with my teachers both in Scotland and online while at home in Australia. I have tried to find a balance of training hard but also recovering well to ensure I can keep putting in my best during rehearsals. I love working on the finer details and giving an extra 5% everyday to help me improve. I think when you are preparing for a competition like the Fonteyn it’s important to stay positive and keep an open mind.”
Bridie says her family has been her greatest source of inspiration:
“Their sacrifices have allowed me to follow my passion and dreams. Along with my teachers and friends, I feel so lucky to have such a strong support system.”
She hopes the experience will not only enrich her artistry but also open doors for her future:
“The Fonteyn is a wonderful opportunity to work with industry professionals, to learn and gain valuable knowledge from them will help me grow as a dancer. This experience will provide an opportunity to be seen on the international stage by ballet companies around the world. I hope competing in this event will help my future by providing valuable contacts within the ballet world”
And as for keeping things light during intense preparation? Bridie follows her favourite sporting teams, from the Brisbane Lions and Broncos to the Formula 1, and enjoys podcasts that inspire her with stories from athletes, artists, and leaders.
Mia Atacador (Victoria)
Mia balances her passion for ballet with an ambitious double degree in Law and Psychology at Monash University. She sees the Fonteyn as an opportunity to grow both technically and artistically:
“Along with my regular classes, I’ve been taking extra coaching to polish my variations and building strength through cross-training. More importantly, I’ve been focusing on artistry — finding ways to bring expression and personality into my dancing. I want to embrace this competition as a chance to share my love of dance.”
Mia credits her parents and teachers as her greatest motivation:
“From the very beginning of my RAD journey, my parents have always believed in me and stood by me, cheering me on every step of the way. I’m also equally grateful to my incredible teachers, whose guidance and knowledge continue to inspire me and push me to grow, not only as a dancer but also as a person.”
For Mia, being named a semi-finalist represents both recognition and opportunity:
“It represents the pinnacle of my journey within the RAD syllabus, and is a testament to the commitment and hard work I’ve put into dance since I was four years old. I hope this achievement will open new opportunities in my ballet journey, whether that’s exposure to new teachers, experiences, or programs that can help me develop further as a dancer. More importantly, I see it as a stepping stone that strengthens my confi dence and inspires me to keep striving toward a professional career in ballet.”
And when the pressure builds, Mia finds balance in her university studies: “I find that studying in my spare time acts as a welcome distraction and mental break from the intense demands of my preparation for the Fonteyn.“
RAD Australia congratulates Bridie and Mia on their remarkable achievement and looks forward to cheering them on as they represent Australia in Brazil this October. Their dedication, artistry, and passion embody the spirit of the Fonteyn and the future of ballet.
For more information and to book tickets, visit the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition website
