The Isobel Anderson Awards remain one of the most cherished fixtures in the New South Wales dance calendar, with many former recipients going on to careers in performance, training and teaching. Alongside the Joan & Monica Halliday Awards, they continue to provide a valued and aspirational platform for young dancers working within the RAD syllabus.
The Royal Academy of Dance Australia has announced the recipients of the 2026 Joan & Monica Halliday Awards and Isobel Anderson Awards, held on 28–29 March at the Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre in Sydney.
More than 600 students took part in preliminary and semi-final classes earlier in March, with 79 dancers selected to progress to the finals. The weekend brought together finalists from Grade 3 through to Advanced 1, reflecting both the breadth of participation and the strength of training across the state.
The Joan & Monica Halliday Awards, for Grades 3–5, were adjudicated by Claire Phipps-Male, while the Isobel Anderson Awards were judged by Olivia Bell, former Principal Artist with The Australian Ballet.
At the highest level, Caleb Nissen (The Academy Australia) was awarded Most Outstanding Dancer in the Joan & Monica Halliday Awards, and Lewis Nicholson (Nova City Ballet) received the Isobel Anderson Award for Most Outstanding Dancer, recognising outstanding work across the finals.
RAD Australia National Director Shelley Yacopetti noted the calibre of this year’s event. “These awards continue to showcase the remarkable depth of talent within our NSW RAD community.” She also acknowledged the contribution of teachers and families in supporting each dancer’s development.
Awards were presented across all levels, alongside encouragement prizes and commissioned choreography awards. Recipients of the choreography awards will undertake further training with Sydney Dance Company, supporting the development of their contemporary practice and extending opportunities beyond the classical syllabus.
2026 Joan & Monica Halliday Awards – Results
Grade 3
Winner: Amelia Ripley (North Shore Dance Academy)
Runner Up: Ivy Hall (Dance North Academy)
Encouragement: Bond Podmore (Newcastle Dance Academy)
Grade 4
Winner: Emily Williamson (National College of Dance)
Runner Up: Skye Bensley (Dynamite Premiere Academy)
Encouragement: Elliott Muscat (The McDonald College)
Grade 5
Winner: Noah Huett (Andrea Rowsell Academy of Dance)
Runner Up: Ilse Engstrom-Fritzson (Dance North Academy)
Encouragement: Beatrix Griffiths-Witt (Tanya Pearson Academy)
Commissioned Choreography Award
Olivia Kim (The McDonald College)
Most Outstanding Dancer
Caleb Nissen (The Academy Australia)
2026 Isobel Anderson Awards – Results
Intermediate Foundation
Winner: Cleo Bell (Dance North Academy)
Runner Up: Victoria Harper (JWDA)
Encouragement: Lucy Miller (L’Academie)
Intermediate
Winner: Wahta Handy (National College of Dance)
Runner Up: Olivia Lowry (Tanya Pearson Academy)
Encouragement: Yuna Choi (The McDonald College)
Advanced Foundation
Winner: Milania Franklin (The Dance Spot)
Runner Up: Irene Kim (Redlands Dance Academy)
Encouragement: Oliver Austin (The McDonald College)
Advanced 1
Winner: Maya Kingsmill (Tanya Pearson Academy)
Runner Up: Anna Stephensen (Dance North Academy)
Encouragement: Ivy Maughan (Ablaze Dance Academy)
Commissioned Choreography Award
Ava Radojevic (Dance North Academy)
Most Outstanding Dancer
Lewis Nicholson (Nova City Ballet)
The awards continue to play a key role in the RAD pathway, recognising achievement at every stage while celebrating the dedication of the students, teachers and families who contribute to the strength of dance training across New South Wales.