The Noelle Aitken Junior Encouragement Award
Cecchetti Ballet Australia
Published in Print September 2025 order now!
view photo gallery | Grade 2
view photo gallery | Grade 3
Words and images: Danielle Brown
The Noelle Aitken Junior Encouragement Award is an annual event organised by Cecchetti Ballet Australia, specifically for students who have successfully completed their Grade 2 or Grade 3 Cecchetti examinations. This award aims to encourage and recognise young dancers in the early stages of their classical ballet training.
Participants are adjudicated in separate Grade 2 and Grade 3 sections, with each section awarding four gold medals and one trophy. The trophy winners are then invited to perform a solo at the prestigious Enrico Cecchetti Medal Award event, offering further performance experience and exposure.
Noelle Aitken was a distinguished figure in Australian ballet. She performed with the National Theatre Ballet in the 1950s and contributed significantly to the development of ballet in the country. A well-known archival image captures her alongside Athol Willoughby and Naeidra Torrens in a performance of Swan Lake, highlighting her presence in key national productions. This award honours her legacy and inspires young dancers to pursue excellence in classical ballet.
The Grade 2 and Grade 3 awards are a beautifully structured introduction to performance and adjudication. Grade 2 typically includes dancers aged 8 to 11, while Grade 3 spans ages 11 to 13. Both levels showcase the enthusiasm and promise of young performers.
The format is particularly thoughtful. Dancers are brought into the room in small groups, each wearing a number. Star markers on the floor guide positioning and orientation. Before adjudication begins, dancers are gently walked through the process: where to stand and how to transition before and after each exercise.
Two or single lines perform for the adjudicator, exit, and are replaced by the next line/s. After each turn, the front line rotates to the back, ensuring everyone gets equal time to be seen. This rotation allows every child the opportunity to stand at the front, supporting fairness and visibility. The pre-demonstration ensures dancers feel calm and confident—there are no surprises.
Winner Eliza Vallance, the Grade 2 Trophy Recipient, said, “I’m feeling really happy. It was such a great experience to be part of, and I wasn’t expecting to win—so I’m very proud. I just want to keep improving and learning more each year.”
Effie Papoulias, State Organiser for Cecchetti Ballet Victoria, expressed heartfelt gratitude during the awards ceremony to the late Mr John Lord. His generous financial contribution ensures that today’s trophy winners receive a monetary award to support their continued classical studies. Mr Lord and Noelle Aitken were partners in love, and this award stands as his enduring tribute to her legacy and passion for dance.
Sponsored by Capezio, the event was adjudicated by Christine Howard OAM, who brought both expertise and warmth to the day. Christine is a graduate of The Australian Ballet School and studied character dance under Madame Marina Berezowsky. She performed with the Kolobok Dance Company of Australia, becoming the country’s first principal dancer in a full-time character dance company. With over 40 years of teaching experience, including at VCASS and The Australian Ballet School, Christine’s contribution to character dance was recognised with an OAM in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours.
Christine shared her reflections on the day: “The seriousness of study is important, but it’s always wonderful to balance it with the joy of where dance can take you—and where it comes from. You can see that some feel more comfortable expressing themselves here. That doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a lot of depth at this stage—but what matters most is that they show joy.”
Grade 3 Trophy Recipient Scarlett Boyd summed up her experience beautifully: “It feels really good—it’s a bit hard to put into words, but it’s just such a great feeling. It makes me feel like I’m actually good at something I really love doing. Being acknowledged for that means a lot. It’s really special.”
It’s a thoughtful and nurturing event—one that truly places the dancer’s experience at its heart. From the gentle structure of the day to the genuine encouragement shown throughout, the Noelle Aitken Junior Encouragement Award offers young dancers a meaningful introduction to performance. Congratulations to all the participants, whose joy and artistry lit up the room, and heartfelt thanks to the parents, guardians, and dedicated teachers who continue to guide and support them. Together, they carry forward the legacy of Noelle Aitken—a woman whose love for dance, and for nurturing the next generation, continues to inspire with every step taken on the studio floor.
Award Results – Grade 2 Trophy Winner: Eliza Vallance – Kerry Moore School of Ballet
Gold Medal Recipients:
Gracie Thomas, Joanne O’Kelly School of Dance
Chloe Smith, Carmel Amelia School of Dance
Isobel Busuttil, Carmel Amelia School of Dance
Annie Dodds, Carmel Amelia School of Dance
Honourable Mentions:
Lexi Gray, Karli Grace Dancers
Charles Coltman, Kerry Moore School of Ballet
Indigo O’Hare, Niche Dance Studios
Mikaela Peatt, Kerry Moore School of Ballet
Sophie-Lee Keen, Evolve Performing Arts
Harper Marchese, Cathy-Lea Studios
Matthew Cheney, Carmel Amelia School of Dance
Julia Zhukova, Karli Grace Dancers
Claire Robertson, Carmel Amelia School of Dance
Anulan Hannaford, Peninsula School of Dance and Beth Caballero
Award Results – Grade 3 Trophy Winner: Scarlett Boyd, Kerry Moore School of Dance
Gold Medal Recipients:
Cleo Demidov, Kerry Moore School of Ballet
Rohan Cassidy, Carmel Amelia School of Dance
Billie Higgs, Carmel Amelia School of Dance
Zara Lindsey, Joanne O’Kelly School of Dance
Honourable Mentions:
Maddison Manton, Kerry Moore School of Ballet
Molly Byrne, Kerry Moore School of Ballet
Amelia Kozakiewicz, Karlie Grace Dancers
Owen Lake, Karlie Grace Dancers
Lila Trollope, Leonie’s Academy of Dance
Amelia Bennetto, KC’s School of Dance
Emma Allcock, KC’s School of Dance
Alexis Hiam, Joanne O’Kelly School of Dance
Adele Stanford, Essendon Academy of Ballet and Sandra Clack Ballet Centre
Olive Mottershead, Joanne O’Kelly School of Dance