The 2025 Lucie Saronova Memorial Awards brought together sixteen talented young dancers from across Australia for a day of performance, learning and recognition, celebrating the strength of Cecchetti training nationwide.
Held on 10 July at Adelaide College of the Arts in conjunction with Cecchetti Ballet Australia's annual National Conference, the event offered both Silver (junior) and Gold (senior) level dancers the opportunity to showcase their skills before an esteemed panel of adjudicators and a live audience.
Named in honour of Madame Lucie Saronova, the awards pay tribute to a significant figure in Australian dance history. Madame Saronova was the founding organiser and first chairman of the Australian Cecchetti Society, a branch of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. Her term of office spanned a remarkable 37 years, from 1934 to 1971, and her influence continues to shape Cecchetti training in Australia today.
Following a series of state-based auditions, eight Gold and eight Silver candidates were selected to represent Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Under the guidance of class teacher Jacqui Stratton-Smith and accompanied by pianist Fiona Bartlett, the dancers undertook a demanding class observed by adjudicators Maggie Lorraine and Janet Bridgman, followed by the performance of two solos on stage.
This year marked a new development for the Lucie Saronova Memorial Awards, with the Gold division incorporating a contemporary solo for the first time. Students selected from four specially choreographed works, adding a fresh and expressive dimension to the competition. The addition was enthusiastically received by both adjudicators and the audience, showcasing the dancers’ versatility alongside their classical technique.
The 2025 results were as follows:
GOLD WINNER
Oscar Taggart (Alegria Dance Studios, NSW)
Coached by Hilary Kaplan and Archibald McKenzie
GOLD RUNNER-UP
Emily Townend (Lane Cove Dance Academy, NSW)
Coached by Jane Moran
SILVER WINNER
Celeste Robinson (Enpointe Studios, VIC)
Coached by Peta Byrne
SILVER RUNNER-UP
Adabelle Lee (Lane Cove Dance Academy, NSW)
Coached by Jane Moran
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Yulia Nagashima (Enpointe Studios, VIC)
Elodie Dawson (Perth School of Ballet, WA)
Adjudicator Janet Bridgman commended the calibre of the performances: “How lovely it was to see the dance quality expressed by every single dancer, both in class and on stage. Their musicality and understanding of the various dance styles was commendable.”
Maggie Lorraine noted the importance of classroom expression: “Some students clearly stood out during the audition class—predominantly those who had been encouraged to present their dancing in regular class work. Notably, all the winners shone in the audition setting. Encouraging dancers to ‘perform’ in class is crucial, as it nurtures stage presence, expressive communication, and confidence—essential skills for auditions and professional careers.”
Following the final performances and award announcements, all participants were acknowledged with certificates presented by a representative from the event’s principal sponsor, Energetiks. The evening concluded with a light supper, celebrating the achievements of every dancer who took part.