Australian Cecchetti Young Dancer Awards
Australian Cecchetti Young Dancer Awards provide a space and opportunity for Young Dancers to perform a classical ballet solo of their choice.
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Three age categories:
8–10 yrs | 11-13 yrs | 14-16 yrs
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PRINCIPAL SPONSOR
YDA 2023
Photographs by Belinda Strodder
Category 8 - 10 years (41 competitors)
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Winner
Jurie Jung (VIC) - teacher: Peta Byrne
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Runner Up
Rachel Murray (VIC) - teacher: Peta Byrne
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Honourable Mentions
Nina Zhu (VIC) - teacher: Peta Byrne
Max Hennessy (VIC) - teacher: Karen Freeman
Claire Gao (VIC) - teacher: Peta Byrne
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Category 11 - 13 years (52 competitors)
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Winner
Leni Howlett (VIC) - teacher: Kerry Moore
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Runner Up
Yulia Nagashima (VIC) - teacher: Peta Byrne
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Honourable Mentions
Jessica Cooper (QLD) - teacher: Kimberley Semple
Lucy Paxman (VIC) - teacher: Kerry Moore
Luna Yuen (VIC) - teacher: Peta Byrne
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Finalists
Ava Scott (VIC) - teacher: Joanne O'Kelly
Kara O'Malley (SA) - teacher: Lauren McMahon
Nina Penny (QLD) - teacher: Kimberley Semple
Yulia Nagashima (VIC) - teacher: Peta Byrne
Georgia Williams (VIC) - teacher: Karen Freeman
Jessica Cooper (QLD) - teacher: Kimberley Semple
Cosette Sayasane (VIC) - teacher: Kerry Moore
Scarlett Graham (VIC) - teacher: Peta Byrne
Lucy Paxman (VIC) - teacher: Kerry Moore
Mea Rowe (VIC) - teacher: Anne Maree Ludwig-Cox
Luna Yuen (VIC) - teacher: Peta Byrne
Leni Howlett (VIC) - teacher: Kerry Moore
Category 14 - 16 years (21 competitors)
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Winner
Sam McSweeney (VIC) - teacher: Joanne O'Kelly
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Runner Up
Lila McGrath (QLD) - teacher: Kimberley Semple
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Honourable Mentions
Rose Bourke (VIC) - teacher: Joanne O'Kelly
Laura McDonald (VIC) - teacher: Carole Oliver
Prizes
Additionally, all winners and runner-ups received:
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1-year subscription to Dance Train magazine
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One double-pass for the film The Red Shoes: Next Step, given by Screen Inc. https://screeninc.com.au/red-shoes/
Adjudicator
Jayne Beddoe
Jayne trained under Rhyll Kennell at the National Theatre Ballet School in Victoria and later with Anne Wooliams at The Victorian College of The Arts. Between 1982 and 1984 she undertook further studies with the Australian Ballet School and won the Lucy Saranova and Dame Peggy van Praagh awards. During this time, Jayne toured with the Dancers Company to regional areas.
Jayne joined The Australian Ballet Company in 1985 and over the following 9 years was promoted to Corphee, Soloist and leading Soloist. In 1989 she won the Big Brother Scholarship and travelled to Europe, and the USA.
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Since retiring from dancing in 1993 Jayne has been involved with the Cecchetti Society, teaching, adjudicating and performing guest roles with The Australian Ballet. Jayne currently coaches and teaches at Glen Iris School of Dance .
PRINCIPAL SPONSOR