Queensland Classical Ballet Awards Return After Three-Year Hiatus
The AICD Queensland Classical Ballet Awards returned on July 19 following a three-year hiatus, with Harli Grieve, Maci Smith and Sienna Westcott taking the top honours across the three age divisions.
Held at Studio Tribe in The Gap, Brisbane, the event brought together dancers aged 11 to 18 from schools across Queensland. Gemma Pearce adjudicated the junior, intermediate and senior sections.
For competitors, the day offered more than the opportunity to present a prepared solo. Intermediate and senior dancers also participated in a masterclass, allowing the adjudicator to consider their approach to classwork alongside their performance on stage.
Harli Grieve of Yue Dance Academy won the Junior Section for dancers aged 11 to 12. Maci Smith of Anne Fraser Classical Coaching received first place in the Intermediate Section, while Sienna Westcott of HQ Classical took out the Senior Section.
The awards were supported by Bloch Dance Australia and Dancetrain, and organised by the AICD Queensland event committee. The national organisation thanked the volunteers who helped return the Queensland event to the calendar after its extended break.
Junior Section, 11–12 Years
First: Harli Grieve, Yue Dance Academy
Second: Bambi Mallet Randall, Ballet Theatre Queensland
Third: Jackie Radovanovic, Kimberley Woodger Dance Academy
Highly Commended: Abigail Halim, Creative Academy of Performing Arts
Encouragement: Wynter Calford, Annette Roselli Dance Academy; Sophia Novic, Dance School of Queensland
Intermediate Section, 13–14 Years
First: Maci Smith, Anne Fraser Classical Coaching
Second: Jasmine Bowker, The Dance Centre Peregian Springs
Third: Jennifer Smith, Queensland National Ballet School
Highly Commended: Lila Forkes, Claudia Dean Academy
Encouragement: Harriet Thomas, Anne Fraser Classical Coaching; Annie Weng, Queensland Dance Centre
Senior Section, 15–18 Years
First: Sienna Westcott, HQ Classical
Second: Elodie Lamont, Claudia Dean Academy
Third: Lily McCaig Moore, Claudia Dean Academy
Highly Commended: Evangeline Casey, Just Ballet
Encouragement: Haylee Gibson, Annette Roselli Dance Academy; Eboni Wilson, Claudia Dean Academy