Winners Announced at the 2025 Kathleen Gorham Awards

18 September 2025 05:39

The Royal Academy of Dance proudly celebrated the achievements of young Victorian dancers at the 2025 Kathleen Gorham Awards, held on Sunday 14 September at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS), Southbank.

The Awards honour the extraordinary career of Kathleen Gorham OBE (1931–1983), one of Australia’s most celebrated ballerinas and a founding Prima Ballerina of The Australian Ballet.

This year’s Awards were adjudicated by Lyndelle Steer, with classes led by Sharyn Constable. Students from Intermediate Foundation through to Intermediate levels participated in syllabus classes with free enchaînements on stage before an audience, while Advanced students took part in open classes. Finalists were then invited to perform a chosen syllabus dance, with winners, runners-up, and recipients of the Artistry and Encouragement Awards announced at the conclusion of the event.

RAD Australia’s Head of Examinations and Regions, Lia Cox, attended the awards and said:

“It was a truly uplifting celebration of our young dancers’ dedication, resilience, and passion for their art. Each performance revealed not only technical skill but also the joyful spirit of dance in our community.”

Results – 2025 Kathleen Gorham Awards

Intermediate Foundation

Winner: Hannah Stamford – The Academy of Classical Ballet
Runner Up: Ishani Dinara Wattearachchige – Expressions Ballet Academy
Artistry Award: Poppy Emerson – The Academy of Classical Ballet
Encouragement Award: Grace Miller – Expressions Ballet Academy

Intermediate

Winner: Milla Calyk – Expressions Ballet Academy
Runner Up: Poppy Hayes – Expressions Ballet Academy
Artistry Award: Neve Cope – VCASS
Encouragement Award: Tim Xianzhou Cheng – Jiayin Masterclass

Advanced Foundation

Winner: Mimi Cook – Expressions Ballet Academy
Runner Up: Jasper Zajacek-Tieu – VCASS
Artistry Award: Alice Lutz – The Academy of Classical Ballet
Encouragement Award: Isla Howsam – VCASS

Advanced 1

Winner: Chloe Lahood – VCASS
Runner Up: Eden-Rose Driver – VCASS
Artistry Award: Ella Eastoe – VCASS
Encouragement Award: Fletcher Thomas – The National Ballet School

Advanced 2 & Solo Seal

Winner: Keira Lee (Solo Seal) – VCASS
Runner Up: Olive Forbes – VCASS
Artistry Award: Anabelle Tran – VCASS
Encouragement Award: Lyla Betts – Geelong Ballet Centre

Overall Award Winners

Kathleen Gorham Overall Winner: Milla Calyk – Expressions Ballet Academy

Martin Rubenstein Award: Jasper Zajacek-Tieu – VCASS

Paul Hammond Award: Sienna Lopes – VCASS

Australian Ballet School Scholarship: Jasper Zajacek-Tieu – VCASS

The Kathleen Gorham Awards continue to provide an important platform for young dancers to demonstrate their technical ability and artistic expression, while paying tribute to the life and legacy of one of Australia’s most distinguished ballerinas.

RAD Australia extends its sincere thanks to adjudicator Lyndelle Steer, class teacher Sharyn Constable, 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 by Belinda Strodder