The annual Ballet Teachers’ Workshop (BTW) scholarship awards were held Sunday 17 August at the Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre.
Out of 116 finalists, Mollie Harrison of the Victorian College of Arts Secondary School (VCASS) emerged on top at the BTW finals this year. Winner of both the Frances Naylor Award and Mabel Pryde Memorial Scholarship, she was awarded a grand sum of $5000.
The prestigious annual scholarship awards received over 570 entries this year. Patron David McAllister, artistic director of the Australian Ballet, attended the evening performance. The competition was adjudicated by Australian Ballet professionals, coryphée Brooke Lockett, soloist Andrew Wright and principal dancer Ty King-Wall. The finalists were awarded prizes totalling $17 300.
The Paul Hammond Foundation Award, worth $2500, went to Tristan Gross, a third year pupil at the National Theatre Ballet School. Second and third place were awarded to VCASS students Charles Herkes and Tom Casamento respectively. Australian Conservatoire of Ballet pupil Riko Takahashi was the recipient the Travel and Coaching Scholarship, worth $2500, and second position for the Mabel Pryde Memorial Scholarship, while Nana Yamamoto from the National Theatre Ballet School came in third.
Section A (ages 8-9) saw Tiombe Davey (En Pointe Ballet School) take first prize. Jenna Boschen (Ballarat Centre of Music and Arts) placed second and Eli Southurst (Dance School of Distinction) third.
Section B (ages 10-11) was won by Philippa Crawley (Ballarat Ballet Centre). Second place went to Mio Bayley (Anita Coutts School of Dance) and third to Milei Lee (Brian Nolan Academy of Dance).
Section C (ages 12-13) had Heidi Freeman clinching first, Abbey Lavery (Dance School of Distinction) as runner up and Ruby Moore (Dance School of Distinction) as second runner up.
Section D (ages 14-15) saw Emily Bray (Jane Moore Academy of Ballet) in first place (with $1,000 prize). Riley Lapham (Beverly Rowles School of Dance) came in second and Isabelle Greenwood (VCASS) received third place.
- ARIEL SAMMY
Below - top: Tristan Gross, bottom: Riko Takahashi. Photos: National Photography.
