The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) proudly celebrated the achievements of its 2025 Faculty of Education graduates with ceremonies in both Sydney and London, recognising the next generation of dance educators and leaders in the profession.
On 17 August, RAD Australia hosted a special graduation celebration at RAD Headquarters in Sydney, bringing together 31 graduates in person, supported by family, friends, RAD staff, and tutors. The event honoured an inspiring cohort of dance educators from across the country who completed a range of internationally recognised training programmes through the RAD, including the Master of Arts in Education (Lucy Eaton), Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Brie Healy), Professional Dancers’ Graduate Teaching Diploma (Robert Bruist, Lucy Harris, Kamryn Schruhm), and Diploma in Dance Teaching Studies (Georgia Dostal (née Canning), Karen Mooney).
The ceremony also celebrated a talented group of graduates who earned the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies, showcasing their commitment to excellence in ballet instruction. This distinguished group included 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, and Lillian Wilkinson. Their achievements highlight the vibrant future of dance education in Australia and beyond.
The ceremony featured keynote speeches from RAD Faculty of Education Tutor Julie Fleming and graduate representative Lucy Eaton, who completed a Master of Arts in Education. Tutors Lindsay Ellman-Brown and Julia Barry also attended, while video messages of congratulations were 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.”
Just weeks later, on 8 September, the RAD hosted its annual Faculty of Education graduation ceremony at Cadogan Hall in London, recognising the accomplishments of an international student body. The ceremony featured an address from RAD Chief Executive Elizabeth Honer CB, with Artistic Director Alexander Campbell introducing guest speaker Iain Mackay, Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet School. RAD President Dame Darcey Bussell presented graduates with their awards.
Australian graduates who travelled to London for the occasion included Evangeline Doust (Master of Arts in Dance Education) and Isabella Gemmell-Morgan (Professional Dancers’ Graduate Teaching Diploma).
Reflecting on the graduates’ achievements, Elizabeth Honer said: “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.”
In his keynote address, Iain Mackay shared insights from his career and reflected on the role his RAD teacher played in his journey, inspiring graduates to embrace their future opportunities in teaching the world to dance.
The two ceremonies together highlight the RAD’s global reach and commitment to dance education excellence. With over 1,000 students enrolled in its Faculty of Education worldwide, the RAD continues to empower the next generation of dance teachers and promote access to dance across diverse communities
For more information about the RAD’s degree programmes, visit: https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/en-au/study-dance/
