2025 Australian Classical Challenge – Canberra


Published in Print September 2025 order now!
By Danielle Brown

The Australian Classical Challenge has become a beacon for ballet and contemporary dance in Australia — not only for its impeccable artistic standards but also for the unique way it champions dancers from rural and regional communities. In a country where many young artists must travel vast distances to access elite training and performance opportunities, ACCC offers an inclusive and professionally run platform that rivals any metropolitan event.

This year’s Canberra edition, held from 26–29 June at Gungahlin College Theatre and Lisa Clark Dance Centre, once again set the standard. Run by a passionate family team, the event has earned a reputation for combining world-class adjudication with a warm, community-focused atmosphere. For dancers and their families, it’s not just a competition — it’s a celebration of artistry, growth, and connection.

Competitors travelled from across Australia, bringing diverse training backgrounds and personal styles. The program included Junior, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, and Senior divisions in both classical and contemporary styles, complemented by exclusive masterclasses with leading choreographers.

The adjudication panel reflected the calibre of the competition. Each brought a wealth of stage and teaching experience, offering feedback that was as constructive as it was inspiring.

Danielle Kyneur (Junior & Pre-Intermediate Classical) has spent over 25 years in the dance industry, with elite training from The Australian Ballet School and extensive teaching and adjudication experience in Australia and abroad. A qualified RAD instructor and founder of Newcastle’s Dance with Grace, Danielle is also the visionary behind Ballet in the Islands, an initiative delivering ballet to remote communities. Her judging approach combines deep technical insight with a nurturing respect for each dancer’s individuality.

Georgia Robinson (Junior & Pre-Intermediate Contemporary) brought her own brand of positivity and precision. An RAD-trained performer with international touring experience, Georgia now directs Top Rock Studios in Newcastle, a vibrant adult dance community. Her dual background in performance and pedagogy gives her a keen eye for both artistry and sustainable technique.

Camilo Ramos (Intermediate & Senior Classical), former Principal Dancer with the National Ballet of Cuba and Queensland Ballet, brought decades of global stage experience. Now a teacher and Pre-Professional Coordinator at Queensland Ballet Academy, Camilo’s adjudication balances technical mastery with the emotional depth required for classical performance.

When asked about what he looks for in dancers across the Intermediate and Senior sections, Camilo explained, “I’m looking at many things if I’m completely honest, but especially in the Seniors I’m looking at personalities and artistry, as well as technique and precision. For the Intermediate, I look for good training and consistency.”

He shared that he was particularly moved by one dancer’s commitment: “I’m always surprised by the talent we have in Australia. This time, I was very moved by Cooper Kay. He was very precise in every show, but also in class. He also seems very determined and focused on his goals. He’s very hungry to learn more in every class.”

Camilo offered thoughtful advice to young dancers aiming to develop their classical technique and artistry: “My advice will be to always listen to your teachers — trust their experience and knowledge.”

On the importance of events like the Australian Classical Challenge, Camilo stated, “Every time a dancer gets the opportunity to dance on stage in front of an audience is the best way to learn and improve their skills. Events like the Australian Classical Challenge give that opportunity and more. This event also offers classes with different teachers, which will have a great impact on dancers and their career.”

Paul Malek (Intermediate & Senior Contemporary), a driving force in Australian dance, has shaped the industry through his directorial work, choreographic achievements, and arts advocacy. As founder and former Artistic Director of Transit Dance, Paul is known for inspiring dancers to embrace both precision and personal expression — qualities evident in his feedback and in the challenging set works presented at the Challenge.

For many dancers, the Challenge was more than a chance to compete — it was a rare opportunity to learn directly from leading professionals and share the stage with peers from across the country.

Junior Classical and Contemporary winner Lauren Li from Dance North Academy summed up the experience:
“I’d love to thank all the incredible teaching faculty at Dance North Academy, especially Miss Catherine Edwards, Mr Adam Blanch, Miss Mandi Whittaker, Miss Vicki Attard, Miss Lucinda Dunn OAM, and Heidi Monahan. Their support, passion, and dedication inspire me every single day and make each class challenging, rewarding, and so much fun. I love hanging out with my dance friends at Dance North Academy as they are so talented, fun and caring.”

Lauren also highlighted the value of the school’s Classical and Contemporary Development Program (CCDP):
“I absolutely love it! Through this program, we work closely with industry professionals each week to refine our technique and expand both our classical and contemporary vocabulary. It really helps us develop sustainable habits to succeed in the dance industry and encourages us to explore and understand our bodies and what we’re capable of.”

Her praise for the Challenge’s structure was equally enthusiastic:
“I love the setup of the Australian Classical Challenge, especially the Contemporary section. Learning brand-new choreography from an industry professional and performing it on stage pushes us out of our comfort zones in the best way. It also brings us together as a group — we help and support each other backstage, which creates such a strong and positive atmosphere. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts.”

Pre-Intermediate Contemporary Winner Charlotte Whittaker (pictured) from Dance North Academy said:
“I felt extremely happy and grateful when adjudicator Georgia Robinson announced my name as the outright winner, it felt like all my hard work in the studio has paid off and it was a very rewarding moment for me. I love how all the classes were arranged for this competition and I also like how the adjudicator can see you not just on stage in a rehearsed solo but also in class too, I feel they can really get to know you as a dancer throughout this process. I also enjoyed the challenge of learning a commissioned piece by the adjudicator in a short time frame and having to perform it on stage in the finals.”

Over four days, the standard of performance was exceptional, with dancers demonstrating technical discipline, artistry, and adaptability across both classical repertoire and contemporary set works.

Junior Classical
1st: Lauren Li
Runner Up: Olivia Pan
Encouragement: Miwako Nagata
Pre-Intermediate Classical
1st: Angela Lee
Runner Up: Audrey Heading
Encouragement: Lucy Miller
Intermediate Classical
1st: Tamsyn Robertson
Runner Up: Cooper Kay
Encouragement: Grace Kearney
Senior Classical
1st: Imogen Zimmer
Runner Up: Charlotte Seymour
Encouragement: Zara Wenborne
Junior Contemporary
1st: Lauren Li
Runner Up: Amelia Daravong
Encouragement: Millicent Fitzgerald
Pre-Intermediate Contemporary
1st: Charlotte Whittaker
Runner Up: Lucy Miller
Encouragement: Audrey Heading
Intermediate Contemporary
1st: Georgia Rhall
Runner Up: Imogen Mulligan
Encouragement: Jonah Aiello
Senior Contemporary
1st: Miyuki Feng
Runner Up: Zara Strelen
Encouragement: Samara Dale

What makes the Australian Classical Challenge remarkable is its ability to uphold professional standards while maintaining a family-run warmth that makes every dancer feel seen. For rural and regional participants in particular, the competition offers both access and aspiration — a rare combination that can change the course of a young dancer’s career.

With its commitment to artistry, education, and community, the Challenge continues to shape the future of Australian dance — one performance, one masterclass, and one inspired dancer at a time.

Australian Classical Challenge