The inaugural World Ballet Crown Australia National Finals concluded in Sydney on 22 August, following a six-day program that brought together 90 dancers aged eight to 19 from Australia and New Zealand.
Beatrix Griffiths-Witt won the Emerald Division for dancers aged eight to 11, while Kyra Kenihan and Samuel McGuire received the female and male Gold Awards in the Sapphire Division for ages 12 to 14. Anna Stephensen and Jiaze Yue took the female and male Gold Awards in the senior Ruby Division.
The Gold, Silver and Bronze placings across the three divisions carried a combined $42,500 in prize money. Stephensen also received the new Diana de Vos Legacy Award for Excellence in Classical Ballet, which included a further $2,000 contribution towards her training and a short-term scholarship at The Australian Ballet School.
The National Finals followed preliminary video auditions and State Finals held in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, in which more than 250 dancers participated. Thirty dancers were selected for each of the Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby divisions, with 12 from each progressing to the Grand Final Gala.
The format placed considerable weight on the work between performances. Three days of masterclasses, repertoire coaching and workshops on health, storytelling and professional life preceded the semi-finals, giving the inaugural event a substantial educational component.
International master teacher Andrey Klemm, Emma Sandall and Juliet Doherty served as teachers and judges, joined by guest judges Martin James, Jacopo Grabar and Neroli Moore.
World Ballet Crown Founder and Artistic Director Yolande Dick and Co-Founder and Director Moira Coops said the competition had been established to create further training and performance pathways for young dancers.
“When we founded World Ballet Crown, our vision was to create a distinguished platform where young dancers are recognised, challenged and empowered to realise their fullest artistic potential,” they wrote in the event program.
“We believe every young artist deserves meaningful opportunities, exceptional education and pathways that encourage them to pursue technical excellence while developing confidence, character, resilience and a lifelong love of dance.”
Emerald Division, Ages 8–11
- Gold: Beatrix Griffiths-Witt, $2,000
- Silver: Evelyn Gijselman, $1,000
- Bronze: Elise Stalker, $500
Sapphire Division, Ages 12–14
Female
- Gold: Kyra Kenihan, $4,000
- Silver: Suzanne Liu, $2,000
- Bronze: Wynter Calford, $1,000
Male
- Gold: Samuel McGuire, $4,000
Ruby Division, Ages 15–19
Female
- Gold: Anna Stephensen, $8,000
- Silver: Shinate Haynes, $4,000
- Bronze: Annabelle Howison, $2,000
Male
- Gold: Jiaze Yue, $8,000
- Silver: Raphael Leishman, $4,000
- Bronze: Myles Goodwin, $2,000
Special Awards
Stephensen received the Diana de Vos Legacy Award for Excellence in Classical Ballet. Established in honour of respected teacher and mentor Diana de Vos OAM, the award recognises classical technique, musicality, professionalism and responsiveness in class and rehearsal. Stephensen received a $2,000 contribution towards her continued training and a short-term scholarship at The Australian Ballet School, supported by Tony and Rosemary Beck and family.
Mia Chen received the Excellence in Contemporary Dance Award, together with a scholarship to the Grand Prix Elite Experience.
Semi-Final Crown Jewel Awards
Emerald Division
- Crown Jewel Award: Amelia Clisdell
- Diamond Award: Peyton Bateup
- Gem Award: Oliver Zawilski
Sapphire Division
- Crown Jewel Award: Samuel McGuire
- Diamond Award: Lucia Zappia
- Creative Crown Award: Vivienne Fellows
- Gem Award: Amy Stump
Ruby Division
- Crown Jewel Award: Zoe Carnevale
- Diamond Award: Imogen Mejia
- Creative Crown Award: Kiara Waring
- Gem Award: Maisie Stark
Emerald Grand Finalists
Skye Bensley, Magdalena Bohacik, Annika Chrisafis, Evelyn Gijselman, Beatrix Griffiths-Witt, Olivia Kim, Lury Lee, Miwako Nagata, Allegra O’Leary, Unathi Omaru, Jackie Radovanovic and Elise Stalker.
Sapphire Grand Finalists
Angelina Carmela Bernardo, Montana Bressan, Wynter Calford, Grace Costigan, Alexis Goodwin, Kyra Kenihan, Ayano Kijima, Suzanne Liu, Samuel McGuire, Ivy Noonan, Chloe Vounasis and Annabelle Xu.
Ruby Grand Finalists
Mia Chen, Harper Frazer, Myles Goodwin, Shinate Haynes, Annabelle Howison, Raphael Leishman, Paityn McLennan, Angela Ryan, Anna Stephensen, Kiara Waring, Catja Whitehead and Jiaze Yue.