Young Australian dancers have been selected to compete at the 2026 Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition, joining more than 80 candidates from over 20 countries in London later this year.
The Australian contingent brings together dancers from Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania:
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Siena Leishman, Queensland
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Lydia Sutton, Tasmania
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Olivia Van der Linden, New South Wales
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Kiara Waring, New South Wales
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Sarah Wheatley, New South Wales
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Eboni Wilson, Queensland
Their selection places them among an international field of dancers aged between 15 and 19, all of whom have achieved a Distinction in the Royal Academy of Dance Advanced 2 examination.
The Fonteyn will return to London from October 31 to November 8, with candidates undertaking an intensive week of classes, coaching and performance at the RAD’s headquarters in Battersea. The semi-finals will be held from November 4 to 6, before the finalists perform at the London Coliseum on November 8. (Royal Academy of Dance)
A new partnership with the Frederick Ashton Foundation will also introduce a distinctive element to this year’s competition. Every candidate will learn a variation by Frederick Ashton, supported by an exclusive coaching film featuring an Ashton répétiteur and additional resources exploring the choreographer’s work and style. The initiative extends the competition’s focus beyond technical accomplishment, asking young dancers to engage with the detail, musicality and dramatic character of one of the 20th century’s defining ballet choreographers.
The selected candidates continue a strong recent Australian presence at The Fonteyn. In 2025, Bridie Grice of Queensland and Mia Atacador of Victoria were selected as Australian semi-finalists for the competition in São Paulo, with Grice progressing to the 12-dancer final. The previous year, Sydney dancer Ernesto Young won a bronze medal at the 2024 competition in London.
The 2026 judging panel includes several prominent figures in British and international ballet. Dame Darcey Bussell, former RAD artistic director Lynn Wallis, Royal Ballet principal Francesca Hayward, Royal Ballet director Kevin O’Hare and choreographer Mthuthuzeli November will judge the final. November will also sit on the semi-final panel alongside Brazilian teacher and coach Ana Maria Campos and former Royal Ballet dancer Leanne Cope.
For these young Australian artists, the competition offers close access to an international faculty and the opportunity to test their work within a field shaped by different schools, teachers and training traditions. Candidates who reach the final will perform at the London Coliseum, while the full cohort will take part in the coaching and semi-final stages at the RAD.
RAD Australia National Director Shelley Yacopetti described selection as an “extraordinary achievement” reflecting the dancers’ “dedication, artistry and perseverance”.
Alongside the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, candidates will be considered for the Dame Margot Fonteyn Audience Choice Award, Choreographic Award and Musicality Award.
Dance Australia congratulates all dancers on their selection and looks forward to following their progress in London.