RAD Australia Headquarters in Sydney hosted the Australian Advanced 1 Bursary final over the weekend, revealing compelling young talent ready to shape Australia's ballet landscape. The 2025 competition culminated in Oscar Taggart of New South Wales being named the recipient of this years award.
Trained by Hilary Kaplan and Archibald McKenzie at Alegria Dance Studios, Taggart emerged from a cohort of finalists representing states across the country. While Taggart was a standout, the impressive performance and energy of Queensland entrant Amy Westcott also garnered significant praise, demonstrating the depth of talent on display from these future stars. All candidates represented their schools and states ably.
The open class was led by RAD examiner Kerrie Smith, accompanied by pianist Grant Kennedy. The event was adjudicated by Tonia Looker and Lindsay Ellman-Brown. Classical Variations followed, and then Dancers' Own variations. Adjudicated by Tonia Looker and Lindsay Ellman-Brown, both adjudicators commended the universally high standard of performance, highlighting each dancer's commitment, musicality, and technical refinement.
Speaking exclusively to Dance Australia, Oscar Taggart expressed his gratitude. "I feel very honoured and humbled to have been awarded the RAD Advanced 1 Bursary on Sunday 15th June. The experience of meeting other dancers like me from all over Australia was amazing. The money I won will go to furthering my education overseas and continuing my course with Hilary and Archie. I enjoyed every second of it and am very thankful to the staff, judges and sponsors for making this possible."
His teachers, Hilary Kaplan and Archibald McKenzie, shared their pride. "It has been a great honour and privilege to work with Oscar and see him go from strength to strength. It is also always thrilling to see the pure classical technique shining through in a talented student AND being appreciated and rewarded by experts…"
Tonia Looker addressed the audience and candidates, congratulating them on their "really, really wonderful" work. She emphasised the visible dedication and effort put in by all dancers. "I think what was really nice to see is there's so much technical capability and musicality and wonderful effort that's gone in." Looker offered valuable advice to the aspiring artists: "as you continue to explore your work and your technical capabilities, just remember that we are artists as well... So don't be afraid to take up space. Don't be afraid to extend your energy out through your fingers and your toes. It's remembering your artistry, or why. Why are you doing that?" She concluded by acknowledging "It was really, really tough to make a decision"
The $5,000 bursary, generously sponsored by Bloch Australia, is intended to support the recipient's continued training in the RAD syllabus and their development towards a professional dance career.
Lia Cox, RAD Head of Department – Examinations and Regions, reflected on the success of this year's event: "(It) was a truly uplifting celebration of our young dancers’ dedication, resilience, and passion for their art. Each candidate performed with courage and grace, demonstrating not only exceptional technique but also a deep love for dance that shone through every movement. It was a privilege to witness such talent and promise, and a testament to the hard work and commitment of these remarkable students and their teachers. The future of ballet in Australia is certainly in very good hands."
The 2025 finalists included:
- TAS: Ruby Symons, Caroline Small School of Dance
- NSW: Oscar Taggart, Alegria Dance Studios
- QLD: Amy Westcott, The Dance Centre Peregian Springs
- SA: Holly Zbierski, Terry Simpson Studios
- WA: Preston Shean, John Curtin College of the Arts
- ACT: Emily McCoy, The Training Ground (withdrew)
- VIC: Millie Wood, Victorian College of Arts (withdrew)
The Australian Advanced 1 Bursary is one of the flagship national events hosted by the Royal Academy of Dance Australia. Past recipients have gone on to represent Australia at the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition and secure places in major professional companies worldwide.