Joy Ransley FRAD

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Joy Ransley FRAD ARAD, a beloved teacher, RAD examiner, and mentor whose influence on the ballet world spanned decades.

Joy was a pillar of the dance community in Queensland and beyond. After training at The Royal Ballet School, she performed professionally with The Royal Ballet and the Dutch National Ballet before dedicating her life to teaching. Alongside her sister Dawn, she co-directed the renowned Ransley Ballet and Performing Arts Centre, where she nurtured generations of dancers. Her students went on to perform with prestigious companies such as The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Australian Ballet, Houston Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet, and the Royal Danish Ballet.

Joy was also a dedicated examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance for over 50 years, taking her first exam tour in 1966. Her commitment to excellence in dance education was recognised in 2020 when she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the RAD (FRAD), a testament to her outstanding contribution to ballet and the Academy.

Though she is no longer with us, her influence lives on through the countless dancers and teachers she inspired. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, students, and colleagues. She will be deeply missed.