Winners of the Joan & Monica Halliday and Isobel Anderson Awards 2025

We are delighted to announce the winners of the 2025 Joan & Monica Halliday Awards and Isobel Anderson Awards, held on the 5th and 6th April at the renowned Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre Sydney.

These annual awards celebrate the artistry and dedication of RAD students from Grade 3 through to Advanced 1, honouring the legacies of Joan and Monica Halliday and Isobel Anderson. The events also highlight the exceptional standard of RAD teaching in the region, offering young dancers a platform to showcase their talents.

This year saw an outstanding response, with over 600 students participating in preliminary and semi-final classes at RAD Australia’s headquarters in March. From these, 37 finalists were selected for the Joan & Monica Halliday Awards (Grades 3, 4, and 5), and 48 finalists for the Isobel Anderson Awards (Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 1), making for an inspiring weekend of performance and achievement.

The Joan & Monica Halliday Awards were adjudicated by RAD Examiner Midori Lotz, while the Isobel Anderson Awards were judged by Melissa McCabe, a former Demi-Soloist with West Australian Ballet.

Midori Lotz shared her thoughts on the experience:
“It was an absolute pleasure to adjudicate the Joan & Monica Halliday Awards. The artistry, enthusiasm, dedication, and technical skill displayed by the young dancers were truly inspiring. Each performance reflected not only strong training but also a genuine love for dance. It truly felt like a celebration of how far they have come. The Royal Academy of Dance is to be commended for creating opportunities like this, and my sincerest congratulations go to the candidates, their teachers, parents, and everyone supporting them on their dance journey.”

Melissa McCabe also reflected on the day:
“I was incredibly honoured and privileged to adjudicate the Isobel Anderson Awards. Let me just say—if this is the next generation of dancers, the future is in excellent hands.”

Lucy Miller, who trains at L’Académie, was named the 2025 Joan & Monica Halliday Most Outstanding Dancer, impressing with her refined technique and expressive performance. Julia Zhou from The McDonald College earned the 2025 Isobel Anderson Most Outstanding Dancer Award for her graceful execution and emotionally resonant performance that captivated both adjudicator and audience alike.

RAD Australia National Director Shelley Yacopetti attended the finals weekend and shared her praise for the event: “It was such a pleasure to attend both the Joan and Monica Halliday and the Isobel Anderson Awards this weekend and witness the talent showcased on stage, the enjoyment and comradery shown off stage and the excited buzz in the air following the awards from all participants, teachers, families and supporters over two days at both events. Thank you to all who made it possible for RAD students to enjoy these wonderful performance opportunities including Bloch our exclusive event sponsor. Congratulations to all the finalists, their RAD teachers and to the dedicated RAD team behind the events success.”

In addition to category winners, awards for runners-up and encouragement were presented across all levels. Several scholarships were also awarded, providing recipients with valuable opportunities to further their training with leading dance institutions.

RAD Australia extends its sincere thanks to all who contributed to the success of this year’s awards — from the dedicated students and their teachers to the families and supporters who champion their journey. Special appreciation goes to Bloch Australia, the exclusive sponsor of these events, whose ongoing partnership continues to uplift and empower the Australian dance community. We also gratefully acknowledge the NSW Regional Advisory Panel for their invaluable support in delivering these exceptional events.

2025 Prize Recipients

Joan & Monica Halliday Awards: 

Grade 3:  

Winner: Emily Luscombe – Performance Art Western Sydney

Runner Up: Lani El-Helou – The Illawarra Dance Academy

Encouragement Award: Isla Addison – Ettingshausens

Grade 4: 

Winner: Cleo Bell – Dance North Academy

Runner Up: Lauren Li – Dance North Academy

Encouragement Award:  Calab Nissen – The Academy

Grade 5: 

Winner: Liam Forsyth – Sonja Dene Dance Studios

Runner Up: Koa Fogarty – Dance Sensations

Encouragement Award: Olivia O’Bryan – The McDonald College

JMH Commissioned Choreography Winner: 

Victoria Harper – Joanne Williams Dance Academy 

Joan & Monica Halliday Most Outstanding Dancer:  

Lucy Miller – L’Academie 

Isobel Anderson Awards: 

Intermediate Foundation 

Winner: Natahlia Bogovac – TJS Dance Academy

Runner Up: Suzanne Liu – Redlands Dance Academy/Sonja Dene Dance Studio

Encouragement Award: Charlie English – Tanya Pearson Academy

Intermediate  

Winner: Florence Hanks-Ruttyn – NSW International Ballet Academy

Runner Up: Anneke Soulis – The McDonald College  

Encouragement Award: Anna Stephensen – Dance North Academy/National College of Dance

Advanced Foundation 

Winner: Maya Kingsmill – Tanya Pearson Academy

Runner Up: Maddison Gardner – Ablaze Dance Academy

Encouragement Award:  Ivy Maughan – Ablaze Dance Academy

Advanced 1 

Winner: India-Rose Macé – Dance North Academy

Runner Up: Oscar Taggart – Alegria Dance Studios

Encouragement Award: Paityn McLennan – Ablaze Dance Academy

Isobel Anderson Commissioned Choreography winner: 

Charli O’Brien – TJS Dance Academy

Isobel Anderson Award for Most Outstanding Dancer: 

Julia Zhou – The McDonald College