St George Dance Eisteddfod

Hurstville Entertainment Centre, Sydney |18th May

Dani Brown, the editor and specialist dance photographer for dancetrain magazine, travels across the country to capture and review student events, competitions, awards, and scholarships. Many of the images from these galleries are featured in print, preserving the magic of the moment for years to come—a cherished keepsake that dancers value well into adulthood.

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St George Dance Eisteddfod Ballet Scholarship Intermediate

St George Dance Eisteddfod Ballet Scholarship Senior

published in print: September 2024 buy now!

The St George Dance Eisteddfod, held on the 18th of May at the Hurstville Entertainment Centre in Sydney, showcased remarkable talent from young dancers competing for prestigious ballet scholarships. Participants demonstrated their dedication and skill throughout masterclasses and solo performances. Emma Burden led the Intermediate class, while Jake Burden oversaw the Seniors. With a cash prize pool of $1500, this event is a significant contender on the competition circuit. The fierce competition, particularly in the Intermediate section, reflected the high level of training and passion each dancer brought to the stage.

Ballet Scholarships Intermediate

Winner

Madeleine Konstantakos from The McDonald College

Runner-Up

Louis Alexiou from The McDonald College

Highly Commended

Anneke Soulis from The McDonald College

Encouragement Award

Alexandra Pupovac from Robyn Kirkland School of Ballet

Adjudicator Emma Buden shared her thoughts on the Intermediate Scholarship recipients:

“It was lovely to see such a strong intermediate age division. There was a lot of potential, and it was quite hard for us to decide. The solos were well rehearsed and suited each of you individually, which made it even harder. Ultimately, the classwork played a significant role in our decision. While the solos were amazing, we felt that the basic technique and posture could have been stronger to support them. Refining alignment is key to making a standout dancer.”

Emma Burden, from Newcastle, Australia, began dancing at age 4 at Marie Walton Mahon Dance Academy. She graduated from Munich’s Heinz-Bosl-Stiftung in 2009 with a Bachelor of Dance and performed in Romeo and Juliet with Bayerisches Staatsballett. Emma joined Magdeburg Ballett in Germany as a soloist, performing principal roles like the Sugar Plum Fairy (Nutcracker) and Kitri (Don Quixote), and received the Young Artist of the Year Award in 2012. In 2014, she joined Singapore Dance Theatre, performing traditional ballets and works by renowned choreographers, and taught their Adult Dance Class scheme. Emma is currently the Dietitian, Classical Ballet, and Character Teacher at the National College of Dance.

Winner of the Intermediate Scholarship, Madeleine Konstantakos from The McDonald College, shared her gratitude: “I’m so appreciative of the adjudicator’s decision and thankful to be acknowledged. It was a really nice confidence boost.”

Ballet Scholarships Senior

Winner

Charlotte Rota from The McDonald College

Runner-Up

Pelagia Karakontis from The Dance Spot

Encouragement Award

Christina Zeng from Tanya Pearson Academy

Fellow adjudicator Jake Burden commented on the Senior Ballet scholarship recipients:

“The senior classwork was very strong, but the variations could be improved. My advice is to practice, film, and repeat. It was a tough decision because everyone was so talented. Remember, when you audition for pre-professional schools and companies, you will be critiqued in a class setting, so classwork is extremely important.”

Jake Burden began dancing at age 9 and trained at The Hammond School of Dance and Elmhurst Ballet School. He performed for the British Royal Family at Windsor Castle and joined Birmingham Royal Ballet on their UK tour in 2009. Jake then performed in Swan Lake with Boca Ballet Theatre in the USA and became a principal dancer at Magdeburg Ballet in Germany at age 19, winning the Young Dancer of the Year Award in 2011. He later joined Leipzig Ballet and Singapore Dance Theatre, performing in numerous ballets and musicals. Jake is the founder of Ballet Brothers to support male dancers and is the Creative Director at the National College of Dance.

Winner of the Senior Scholarship, Charlotte Rota from The McDonald College, expressed her excitement: “It’s really a confidence booster and exciting to know that good things are ahead on the horizon!”