Vale Audrey Nicholls OAM FRAD ARAD

The Royal Academy of Dance is deeply saddened to share the passing of Life Member, Fellow, former RAD Graded Examiner, teacher, mentor and friend, Audrey Nicholls OAM FRAD ARAD.

One of Australia’s most respected and admired ballet educators, Audrey dedicated most of her life to the art of dance. She inspired generations of dancers and teachers throughout Australia and across the international Royal Academy of Dance community. Her passion for classical ballet, commitment to excellence and unwavering belief in nurturing young dancers leave a legacy that will endure for many years to come.

Born in Townsville, Queensland, Audrey began dancing at an early age, training with Gwen Hardie while preparing for her Royal Academy of Dance examinations. In later years, Audrey often reflected on the profound impact of meeting RAD examiner Isobel Anderson during her childhood. What began as admiration for a visiting examiner would eventually grow into a lifelong friendship and mentorship when Audrey herself became an RAD Examiner nearly thirty years later.

Audrey’s professional performing career was exceptional. At just 16 years of age, she joined the Borovansky Ballet, later travelling to London after receiving the inaugural Frances Scully Memorial Scholarship. She went on to become a Principal Dancer with Ballet Rambert before returning to Australia as a Leading Soloist with the Borovansky Ballet and later Principal Guest Artist with Ballet Guild (Ballet Victoria). Throughout her career she performed many iconic classical roles, including Giselle and Coppélia, and, later in life, continued to grace the stage as a guest artist with The Australian Ballet.

Teaching became Audrey’s lifelong passion. Alongside fellow dancer Eve King, she co-founded and directed a highly respected full-time ballet school in Melbourne for four decades, nurturing countless young dancers while sharing her extensive professional experience with future generations.

Audrey’s contribution to the Royal Academy of Dance was extraordinary. Appointed as an RAD Graded Examiner in 1973, she served with distinction for more than three decades, examining students across Australia and internationally. She later became a Tutor on the Academy’s teacher training programmes and was a trusted advisor for new examiners, generously sharing her knowledge and experience. Countless teachers credit Audrey’s encouragement, wisdom and high standards as instrumental in shaping their own teaching careers.

Her dedication to the Academy was recognised with many honours throughout her life. Audrey was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Dance in 2011 in recognition of her remarkable service to the organisation, and in 2013 she received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to the performing arts, particularly ballet. She also served as Patron of the RAD Victoria/Tasmania Regional Advisory Panel, remaining an active and valued presence within the Academy up to most recently.

Audrey was instrumental in fostering the development of the Higher Grades in Victoria and was passionate about providing meaningful performance opportunities for young dancers. Her vision continues through the Audrey Nicholls Awards, which celebrate their 45th year next month and remain a defining part of the RAD performance pathway in Victoria. She took enormous pride in watching young dancers flourish and remained a familiar face at RAD events, examinations, bursaries, Annual General Meetings and student awards, always offering encouragement, thoughtful advice and her unmistakable warmth.

Those fortunate enough to work alongside Audrey remember her not only for her extraordinary knowledge but also for her quick wit and keen eye for clean technique and artistry. Whether adjudicating student performances, mentoring teachers or welcoming newly registered members into the RAD family, she combined the highest standards with genuine kindness and generosity. She believed deeply in the power of ballet to transform lives and took immense joy in seeing every dancer realise their potential.

As Chairperson of the RAD Victoria/Tasmania Regional Advisory Panel, Moya Stubbs reflects:

“Miss Audrey Nicholls was a powerhouse of Australian ballet and dance education who touched the lives of so many. Her passing is a great loss to the whole dance community, but it will be felt especially keenly by past and present members of the Vic/Tas Regional Advisory Panel. As our Panel Patron, Miss Nicholls was generous, ever present and completely dedicated to the importance of the panel and the success of its events. Her wonderful legacy continues on with the Audrey Nicholls Awards, and her passing will be felt deeply by all who knew her.”

Reflecting on her long association with Audrey, RAD Regional Manager for Victoria and Tasmania, Catherine Fennell adds:

“I first knew Audrey as an examiner during my own ballet training. I was then fortunate to have her as my Tutor during my RAD teacher training, an experience that gave me a deeper appreciation of her knowledge, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence. I came to know Audrey even better during my time as Regional Advisory Panel Chairperson, and later as Regional Manager. Throughout those years, I witnessed her remarkable expertise, generosity, warmth, and enduring dedication to the Royal Academy of Dance and its members.”

Audrey’s passing is deeply felt across the dance community. While her physical presence will be greatly missed, her remarkable contribution to Australian ballet and the Royal Academy of Dance lives on through the countless teachers she mentored, the dancers she inspired and the enduring legacy of the Audrey Nicholls Awards.

RAD Australia National Director Shelley Yacopetti shares:

“On behalf of the RAD, I extend our sincere condolences to Audrey’s family and to her colleagues around the world. She will be sadly missed and warmly remembered as a vibrant and brilliant person with a deep love of and connection to dance. The RAD is enormously grateful for Audrey’s contribution – as an Examiner, teacher, mentor and trusted advisor, and we will remain forever grateful for the lasting impact she made.”

Audrey’s influence will continue to shape generations to come, and she will be remembered with profound gratitude, admiration and affection by the Royal Academy of Dance community in Australia and around the world.