Australian dancer Nina Penny has been offered a place at the prestigious The Royal Ballet School, following her recent participation at the Prix de Lausanne.
Penny, who has been training since the age of four, has built an unusually international pathway to this moment. Early years spent moving frequently with her family saw her train across multiple schools, first discovering her love of ballet at Centro Choreographico Las Palmas in Spain. She later continued her development in Australia at the Creative Academy of Performing Arts and Classical Coaching Australia, before most recently training in Japan at the Yuki Tokunaga Ballet School.
Her offer came during the Prix de Lausanne’s networking forum, where she connected with the Director of The Royal Ballet School.
“I was offered a place in the Upper School commencing this September. I was overjoyed and, honestly, speechless,” Penny said. “This has always been my dream school, and the opportunity to train there still feels surreal.”
The moment marks a significant milestone in a journey shaped not only by geographic movement but by a wide range of pedagogical influences. Penny is quick to acknowledge the teachers who have supported her along the way.
“I am deeply grateful to every teacher who has nurtured and guided me throughout my journey. Their time, energy, and dedication to my training have shaped me into the dancer I am today.”
Among them is her teacher Maria Roselli, who describes Penny as a dancer of unusual depth and discipline.
“Nina stood out to me as a dancer with a rare combination of technical ability, unique artistry and strong work ethic. She absorbed corrections quickly and applied them with focus. She had a deep passion for ballet and danced with her heart. This brought a special quality to every movement. She remained respectful and humble, qualities that made her a joy to teach and truly deserving of her place at The Royal Ballet School.”
Penny also credits the Prix de Lausanne as instrumental in opening this next chapter.
“I am incredibly grateful to Prix de Lausanne for creating opportunities like this, providing young dancers with a pathway to connect with different schools and take the next step in their training.”
She will commence at the Royal Ballet School’s Upper School in September. Founded in 1926, The Royal Ballet School celebrates its centenary this year, marking 100 years of training some of the world’s leading dancers, including Australians Leanne Benjamin, Claudia Dean, Steven McRae, and Amelia Townsend.