Royal Academy of Dance Australia

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is one of the largest and most influential dance education and training organisations in the world. This is RAD Australia.

With over members spread across 85 countries, The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is one of the largest and most influential dance education and training organisations in the world. This page is for RAD Australia. RAD Membership supports the advancement of dance and includes professional dancers, students, teachers, benefactors and friends. The Academy’s patron is HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Du

chess of Cornwall is Vice Patron. Established in 1920, to improve standards and re-invigorate dance training initially within the UK, the Academy helps and encourages its teachers to perfect their teaching skills and pass on this knowledge to their students. In 1935 the first RAD examinations were conducted in Australia. There are currently over 1,000 students in full-time or part-time teacher training programmes with the Academy and each year, the examination syllabus is taught to more than a quarter of a million students worldwide. The Academy maintains close links with all those involved in the industry, at every level. From the internationally recognised ‘Faculty of Education’ degree programmes to those younger students participating in our summer schools. At whatever age or stage, anyone with an appreciation of classical ballet and jazz is able to participate in the work of the Academy. This page is for all members, life members and friends to keep abreast of RAD news and events throughout Australia as well as developments worldwide. ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE, RAD, RAD PRE-PRIMARY IN DANCE, RAD PRIMARY IN DANCE and SILVER SWANS are registered trademarks® of the Royal Academy of Dance. RAD INTERMEDIATE FOUNDATION, RAD INTERMEDIATE, RAD CLASS AWARD, RAD SOLO PERFORMANCE AWARD, CBTS, KARSAVINA SYLLABUS and DANCE TO YOUR OWN TUNE are unregistered trademarks™ of the Royal Academy of Dance. The use or misuse of the trademarks, images or any other content published on the Academy's Facebook accounts/pages without prior written permission from the Royal Academy of Dance, is STRICTLY prohibited. Facebook collects personal data of all Facebook users. Facebook collects content, communications and other information like device information and location data you provide when you use Facebook, including when you and or your network create or share content and share or like messages or when you communicate with others in any other way on Facebook. If you engage with the RAD on Facebook you should know that we do not collect your personal information it remains within the platform (see https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/privacy-policy/). However when you visit our RAD page Facebook will collect your (personal)data. Therefor you should familiarize yourself with Facebooks Privacy Notice and Policies via https://www.facebook.com/privacy/explanation. Facebook provides the RAD with statistics and insights without identifying details about you. This helps us to understand the types of actions that people take on our Pages ("Page Insights"). Please note that we might be able to associate your profile picture with your Page likes in Insights if you liked our Page and have set your Page likes to public. To change your settings: https://www.facebook.com/ads/preferences/?entry_product=ad_settings_screen.

Photos from Royal Academy of Dance Australia's post

07/09/2026

We love RAD exam days! 💜

Learning lifelong skills while doing what you love — that’s what it’s all about. 🩰

Thank you to for sharing these beautiful images! 📸

04/09/2026

Learn from experienced industry and education professionals as you prepare to teach the brand-new RAD Musical Theatre syllabus.

Meet Lia Cox, one of the expert tutors leading our Musical Theatre CPD. With almost three decades of experience across dance, musical theatre, performer training and arts education, Lia brings a broad understanding of what teachers need to develop confident, versatile and well-rounded performers.

Through the CPD, Lia and our expert faculty will guide you through the new syllabus, explore effective teaching approaches and share practical strategies you can take directly into the studio.

Whether you’re looking to expand your teaching skills or introduce Musical Theatre into your school, this is your opportunity to learn from tutors with extensive experience across both education and the performing arts industry.

🎭 Book your place in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane today: https://tinyurl.com/3735ee9m

03/09/2026

Celebrating 45 years of the Audrey Nicholls OAM Awards 🩰✨

Congratulations to all the young dancers who took part in the 2026 Awards at VCASS across 29–30 August, celebrating two wonderful days of excellence within the RAD syllabus.

A special congratulations to our Audrey Nicholls Award Most Potential recipients:

🏆 Grades 1–4: Pollyanna Sutcliffe – Expressions Ballet Academy
🏆 Grades 5–8: Stella Bateman – Jane Moore Academy of Ballet

This year’s Awards held special significance as the first following the passing of Audrey Nicholls OAM FRAD ARAD. Audrey’s remarkable contribution to dance and dedication to generations of young dancers continues through the Awards that proudly bear her name.

Thank you to our adjudicators, class teachers, sponsors, volunteers, teachers and families for making this special weekend possible.

🔗 Read more and view the full list of 2026 prize recipients: https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/en-au/news-and-facts/prize-recipients-announced-at-the-2026-audrey-nicholls-oam-awards/

📸 Belinda Strodder Photography

02/09/2026

Turn your performance experience into inspiring teaching.

Teaching is an opportunity to share your knowledge, continue your passion for dance and shape the next generation of dancers.

For Professional Dancers' Graduate Teaching Diploma (PDGTD) graduate Jasmine Deleary-McDonald from Canada, the programme has been a transformative step from professional performance to dance education.

"Studying the Professional Dancers' Graduate Teaching Diploma with the RAD has deepened my understanding of what it means to be a dance educator and leader. As someone who's danced all my life, being able to enrich my knowledge of dance education has given me confidence and purpose."

Through flexible study and collaboration with an international community of dancers and educators, she's developed new perspectives on teaching while connecting her learning to her own experiences and heritage.

"The support and kindness within the RAD community have helped me grow as a person, dancer and educator. I'm excited to continue this journey and, on completion of the programme, become a Registered Teacher with the RAD."

Join one of our upcoming webinars to find out more: https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/en-au/event/professional-dancers-graduate-teaching-diploma-free-information-webinar/

01/09/2026

🎟️ Tickets are officially ON SALE for ELEVATE ’27!

Join us in Sydney on 16–17 January 2027 for two days of learning, connection and professional development at the RAD Australia 2027 Conference.

Under the theme Elevating Dance Education: Creativity, Community and Care, ELEVATE ’27 will bring together dance teachers, studio owners, academics and industry professionals for practical workshops, presentations, panel discussions and opportunities to connect and share.

We’re delighted to welcome Li Cunxin AO as our keynote speaker, alongside an exciting programme of presenters and sessions exploring the future of dance education — with much more still to be announced.

✨ Early Bird tickets are now available until 16 October 2026.

Two-day tickets include catering, the Welcome Reception, six months’ access to recorded sessions and 16 time-valued CPD hours.

🎟️ Secure your place at ELEVATE ’27: https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/en-au/event/rad-australia-2027-conference-elevating-dance-education/

31/08/2026

Cairns Finalists Announced! 🎉

We’re delighted to celebrate the students selected as Cairns Overall Finalists in the 2026 Shirley Treacy Awards! 🌟

Following Sunday’s Cairns round at All Saints Theatre, St Andrews Catholic College, students took part in classes with Sarah Thorne, performing for adjudicator Chrishanthi Nagendra.

🩰 Grade 4/5
Beatrice Ramos – Turning Pointe Dance Studios
Matthew Wingham – Dance Junction

Honourable Mention: Evie Creighton – Turning Pointe Dance Studios

🩰 Intermediate Foundation / Intermediate
Ashley Ekert – Turning Pointe Dance Studios
Isabelle Duffy – Julia Macalpine Dance Studio

Honourable Mention: Isla Stokes – Turning Pointe Dance Studios

🩰 Advanced Foundation / Advanced 1/2
Ruby Tuxworth – Turning Pointe Dance Studios
Cayden Connors – Turning Pointe Dance Studios

Honourable Mention: Angelique Ellis – Turning Pointe Dance Studios

Our Cairns finalists will now progress to the final judging alongside those selected in Townsville, Rockhampton and Mackay, with the overall winners announced at our online Awards Presentation on Saturday 12 September. 🏆

Congratulations to our finalists, Honourable Mentions and every student who took part! A special thank you to our teachers, parents and families for their ongoing support, and to our valued sponsors for helping make opportunities like the Shirley Treacy Awards possible. 💙

RAD Australia | Enhancing Teaching Practice Language: Imagery and Focus of Attention CPD Webinar

28/08/2026

How can the language you use in the studio enhance learning, engagement and student confidence? ✨

Join Julia Barry for a practical, two-part online workshop exploring feedback, imagery, visualisation, focus of attention, and implicit and explicit learning.

Enhancing Teaching Practice: Language, Imagery and Focus of Attention:
📅 3 & 10 September 2026
⏰ 10.30am–12.30pm AEST
💻 Livestream via Zoom

Open to teachers at all career stages, with practical activities and opportunities to share ideas with fellow teachers.

👉 Find out more:

RAD Australia | Enhancing Teaching Practice Language: Imagery and Focus of Attention CPD Webinar Booking Deadline: Event Date: Event Time: Country: Location: Available Online? Who's it for? Fee: Contact: This two-part practical workshop invites teachers to re-examine the role of language in shaping student engagement, confidence and progression. Through professional dialogue, shared experience....

27/08/2026

Meet Ross Hannaford, one of the highly accomplished tutors leading our RAD Musical Theatre CPD.

A professional performer, choreographer, director and educator, Ross has worked across Australia and internationally, with credits including Avenue Q, Wicked, CATS, Cirque du Soleil and the international tour of Sunset Boulevard. A recipient of the RAD Solo Seal Award and finalist in the international Margot Fonteyn Awards, Ross brings an exceptional depth of industry and teaching experience to our CPD Tutor team.

Join Ross and our expert faculty to explore the new RAD Musical Theatre syllabus, strengthen your teaching approach and gain practical tools you can take straight back to the studio.

🎭 Book your place in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane today: https://tinyurl.com/3735ee9m

26/08/2026

🎓 Applications are now open for the 2027 Professional Dancers’ Graduate Teaching Diploma!

Ready to take the next step beyond the stage? The PDGTD supports professional dancers to transition into teaching while gaining an internationally recognised RAD teaching qualification.

📅 Applications close 1 October 2026
🎓 Programme starts February 2027

Join our free information webinar on 8 September to find out more.

👉 Learn more & apply: https://tinyurl.com/3p72ttyn

📸: Current PDGTD student Shaun James Kelly captured by Stephen A'court

25/08/2026

Happy ! 🩰✨

A lovely throwback to the Kathleen Gorham Awards in Melbourne last weekend.

📸 Belinda Strodder

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Location

Darlinghurst

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Telephone

+61293314111

Website

http://au.royalacademyofdance.org/

Address

20 Farrell Avenue
Darlinghurst, NSW
2010

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm