The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) has marked the achievements of its 2025 Faculty of Education graduates with ceremonies in Sydney and London, recognising the next generation of dance educators and leaders in the profession
On 17 August, RAD Australia hosted a graduation ceremony at its Darlinghurst headquarters, celebrating 31 graduates in person with family, friends, RAD staff, and tutors. The event recognised graduates who completed a range of internationally recognised training programmes through the RAD, including:
-
Master of Arts in Education: Lucy Eaton
-
Postgraduate Diploma in Education: Brie Healy
-
Professional Dancers’ Graduate Teaching Diploma: Robert Bruist, Lucy Harris, Kamryn Schruhm
-
Diploma in Dance Teaching Studies: Georgia Dostal (née Canning), Karen Mooney
-
Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies: Kelcee Beattie, Marnie Berry, Elizabeth Byrnes, Maya Callaghan, Chloe Chapman, Daihna Collier, Emily Cooper, Isabella Cosma, Rachel Cutmore, Hayley Deland, Claudine Engleheart Farmilo, Amelia Garrick, Sarah Gilmour, Rhiannon Griffith, Paige Hollings, Indianna Johnson, Amelia Koen, Courtney Lee-Joe, Juliette Lepine, Kalyanei Matthias, Georgia McKeon, Ashleigh McNamara, Emilee Newham, Angela Olds, Emelia Riley, Madison Roberts, Emily Rue, Tamasyn Shannon, Gabriella Stockwell, Kealeigh Thomas-Heron, Zoe Thornthwaite, Miriam Valencia, Kayli Valenzisi, Katelyn Van der Sterren, Sophia Villetri, Ava Wilbow, Lillian Wilkinson
Keynote addresses were delivered by RAD Faculty of Education Tutor Julie Fleming and graduate representative Lucy Eaton. Messages of congratulations were also shared from RAD CEO Elizabeth Honer, Acting Director of Education Janine Strueli, and Artistic Director Alexander Campbell.
RAD Australia National Director Shelley Yacopetti said: “It was wonderful to celebrate with our Australian graduates and their families. We are so proud of their achievements and look forward to supporting their teaching careers for many years to come.”
On 8 September, the RAD hosted its annual Faculty of Education graduation at Cadogan Hall in London, celebrating graduates from across the globe. RAD Chief Executive Elizabeth Honer gave the opening address, with Artistic Director Alexander Campbell introducing guest speaker Iain Mackay, Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet School. RAD President Dame Darcey Bussell DBE presented awards.
Among the international cohort were Australian graduates Evangeline Doust (Master of Arts in Dance Education) and Isabella Gemmell-Morgan (Professional Dancers’ Graduate Teaching Diploma)
CEO Elizabeth Honer praised the graduates’ achievements, saying: “I am immensely proud of the 2025 graduates. What they have achieved is truly inspirational. As they embark on the next chapter of their careers, I have no doubt they will continue to shape the future of dance and the profession of dance teaching internationally.”
Iain Mackay reflected on his own RAD training, encouraging graduates to embrace future opportunities and the responsibility of “teaching the world to dance.”
Together, the ceremonies highlighted the RAD’s global reach and its commitment to dance education excellence. With more than 1,000 students enrolled worldwide, the RAD continues to empower dance teachers and expand access to dance across diverse communities