Prize recipients celebrated during landmark RAD weekend in Tasmania

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Australia is pleased to announce the prize recipients from the 2026 Susan Sargison Awards and Joan Burnett OAM Scholarship, held in Launceston across 26–27 September.

The weekend brought together young dancers, teachers and families from across Tasmania for two days of awards, scholarships and masterclasses, and also marked a significant milestone with the first RAD Solo Seal examination to be held in Tasmania.

The Susan Sargison Awards were held on Saturday 26 September at Scotch Oakburn College and were adjudicated by former Australian Ballet Principal Artist Amy Harris.

The Awards celebrate younger RAD dancers across Grades 1–5, providing students with the opportunity to perform, extend themselves and gain valuable stage experience. Students from eight Tasmanian dance schools participated in this year’s event.

Mia Saltmarsh, from Caroline Small School of Dance, was named the Most Potential Susan Sargison Overall Winner, receiving a $1,000 cash prize and an NTBS Summer School opportunity.

Results – 2026 Susan Sargison Awards

Grade 1

First Place: Eden Hope – Barbara Todd Ballet

Runner-Up: Gracie Smith – Caroline Small School of Dance

Encouragement Award: Arwen Gail Cann – Barbara Todd Ballet

Grade 2

First Place: Everly Sucic – Caroline Small School of Dance

Runner-Up: Azalea Garratt – The Ballet School Launceston

Encouragement Award: Audrey Harrison – Barbara Todd Ballet

Grade 3

First Place: Zara Hall – Dance Pointe Academy

Runner-Up: Anais Jones-Macuacua – Caroline Small School of Dance

Encouragement Award: Sophia Docking – Dance Pointe Academy

Grade 4

First Place: Mia Saltmarsh – Caroline Small School of Dance

Runner-Up: Zara Carter – Barbara Todd Ballet

Encouragement Award: Lana Paige Mitchell – Dance Pointe Academy

Grade 5

First Place: CP Taylor – House of Dance

Runner-Up: Audrey Tso – Dance Pointe Academy

Encouragement Award: Shosanna Garratt – The Ballet School Launceston

Overall and Special Awards

Most Potential Susan Sargison Overall Winner: Mia Saltmarsh – Caroline Small School of Dance

Most Potential Runner-Up, Bloch Award: CP Taylor – House of Dance

Encouragement Boys Award, Bloch Award: Lincoln Kirschbaum – Dance Pointe Academy

Encouragement Scholarship – Dance Fest Summer School: Aspen Maynard – Dance Pointe Academy

On Sunday 27 September, the Joan Burnett OAM Scholarship brought together Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced dancers from across Tasmania and was adjudicated by distinguished Australian dancer, teacher and choreographer Todd Sutherland.

Todd shared on his experience over the weekend:

“It was an honour to be part of the Joan Burnett Scholarship 2026. I was inspired by the students’ dedication to their syllabus, their technical achievement and artistry, and the wonderful support of their teachers, families and friends. Seeing a community of all ages celebrate together was a beautiful reflection of Joan’s legacy; the culture of dance she forged in northern Tasmania.“

“Above all, the students performed with joy, confidence and self-care, embodying the RAD motto Salus et Felicitas – Health and Happiness. For me, these qualities are integral not only to a sustainable life in dance, but also to how we meet the challenges, embrace the triumphs and experience the richness of life beyond the studio.“

The scholarship honours Joan Burnett OAM, whose distinguished international career and remarkable contribution to dance teaching played an instrumental role in the development of classical ballet and the RAD in northern Tasmania. Burnett established the Joan Burnett School of Ballet in Launceston in 1946 and went on to nurture generations of Tasmanian dancers and teachers.

Ruby Symons, from Caroline Small School of Dance, was named the Most Potential Joan Burnett Scholarship Overall Winner, receiving a $1,000 cash prize. She was also awarded the Sydney Dance Company Encouragement Scholarship.

Results – 2026 Joan Burnett OAM Scholarship

Intermediate Foundation

First Place: Brigitte Gravell – House of Dance

Runner-Up: Jessica Lowe – Dance Pointe Academy

Artistry Award: Calliope Xintavelonis – House of Dance

Encouragement Award: Georgie Morrison – Dance Pointe Academy

Intermediate

First Place: Maybelle Rayner – Barbara Todd Ballet

Runner-Up: Zoe Weeding – Dance Pointe Academy

Artistry Award: Miah Calverley – The Ballet School Launceston

Encouragement Award: Sydney Elise McInnes – House of Dance

Advanced

First Place: Lydia Sutton – Caroline Small School of Dance

Runner-Up: Stephanie Shannon – Barbara Todd Ballet

Artistry Award: Isla Symons – Caroline Small School of Dance

Encouragement Award: Abbey Walker – Barbara Todd Ballet

Overall and Special Awards

Most Potential Joan Burnett Scholarship Overall Winner: Ruby Symons – Caroline Small School of Dance

Sydney Dance Company Encouragement Scholarship: Ruby Symons – Caroline Small School of Dance

The weekend also marked an important first for Tasmania, with the state’s inaugural RAD Solo Seal examination held on Saturday evening.

The Solo Seal is the RAD’s highest-level examination, with candidates performing three contrasting solo variations and a virtuoso finale before a live audience and judging panel, demonstrating the technical ability, artistry and performance quality expected of dancers approaching pre-professional level.

Among those taking part was 18-year-old Lydia Sutton, from Caroline Small School of Dance in Devonport, who is also preparing to represent Australia at The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition in London from 31 October to 8 November.

Amy Harris and Todd Sutherland also shared their experience with local dancers through special masterclasses across the weekend. Harris delivered a ballet masterclass for dancers aged 9–13, while Sutherland led a contemporary masterclass for dancers aged 13–17.

Shelley Yacopetti, National Director of the Royal Academy of Dance Australia, said the weekend reflected both the strength of Tasmania’s dance community and the importance of creating opportunities for dancers at every stage of their training.

“To bring this breadth of opportunity to Tasmania in one weekend is something we are incredibly proud of. From our youngest dancers taking part in the Susan Sargison Awards through to advanced students undertaking the Solo Seal examination in Tasmania for the very first time, this weekend represents the kind of meaningful pathway we want to create for dancers at every stage of their training.

“We were also thrilled to welcome artists of the calibre of Amy Harris and Todd Sutherland to share their experience with local students. Tasmania has an incredibly dedicated community of dancers, teachers and schools, and seeing young artists such as Lydia Sutton progress through their RAD training to Solo Seal and now representing Australia at the Fonteyn is something the whole community can be proud of.”

Congratulations to all students who participated across the weekend, with particular recognition to the prize recipients for their dedication, artistry and commitment.

RAD Australia also extends its sincere thanks to Amy Harris and Todd Sutherland, the participating teachers and schools, event volunteers, and the Regional Advisory Panel of Victoria & Tasmania for their contribution to the weekend.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our event sponsors, donors and scholarship providers, as well as our National Sponsors Bloch Australia, Energetiks and Capezio for their ongoing support of RAD events and opportunities for young dancers.