It has only been a little while, since Xavier Xue strutted his stuff at the Prix de Lausanne - in Switzerland, and he is already enjoying a new stage, at the QPAC Centre in Romeo and Juliet.

As Xavier states, it is his second time performing this wonderful ballet that not only captivates the eyes, but steals the heart for every romantic on the planet.

I - for one, am totally taken with this ballet and indeed, it could be my all time favourite. It never ceases to amaze me, as to how the choreography pulls at the heart strings and delivers a chill upon my person. …Guess, I am one of those people who truly gets absorbed, in the moment. I am sure it did the same for all, who had the privilege to view it.

March 21- March 29, 2025 was not a long season, but long enough to learn the ropes of playing Romeo and also for dancers, playing Juliet.

Twas a great opportunity, Xavier; full of wonderful memories, playing along side other talented dancers. Now, we eagerly await your next exciting chapter, in the world of dance!

Sophie Walters has come a long way, since the days of trophies, medals and sweaty ballet rooms. Now, she adds a huge element of pride to her collection - shining on stage as a member of the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Oh, and how she shines!

A beautiful presentation, not to be missed by anyone - and if you are stuck here in Oz, you will wish her all the very best for her 2024, end of year ballet season - because soon she’ll be tweaking her toes and stretching her limbs for 2025!

May this season, be the catalyst to incredible opportunities!

The Prix de Lausanne 2025 Candidates have now been selected, and out of 86 final candidates - all who will compete in 2025 for the coveted classical dance award - the below 8 dancers from the Australasian region - are among the best!

There were many deserving dancers who competed for a chance at the finals - but sadly not everyone can be selected. 

These are our Aussie and Kiwi dancers that will do us proud, I am sure.  We can't wait to see your talent in action, once again.

Huge Congratulations! ... to all selected candidates.

BARRIGA Xavier Xué Australia 17 years, 8 month Boys B Male Queensland Ballet Academy Australia
COOPER Jessica Australia 15 years, 8 month Girls A Female Classical Coaching Australia Australia
LANCE Samuel Australia 18 years, 5 month Boys B Male Zurich Dance Academy Switzerland
 LOPES Rebecca Australia 18 years, 3 month Girls B Female Australian Ballet School Australia
ROWLEY Bianca Australia 16 years, 7 month Girls A Female Venus Villa Dance Academy P. R. China
SZUMOWSKI Tahlia Australia 17 years, 10 month Girls B Female Queensland College of Dance Australia
TAGGART Oscar Australia 15 years, 4 month Boys A Male Alegria Dance Studios Australia
GIDDENS Hamish New Zealand 17 years, 2 month Boys B Male Convergence Dance Studios New Zealand

More About the Prix de Lausanne
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The Prix de Lausanne is one of the most well-known and exciting of classical dance competitions in the world, and to compete, all 86 dancers out of an initial - 445 applicants, will work their toes in the picturesque city of Lausanne, Switzerland.   

The Theatre de Beaulieu is an exceptional theatre, situated in city's capital of the Olympics.  It serves for both artistic and cultural performances, and the city will very much come to life for this performance - give candidates representing 22 countries will compete in this complex.  Their families, friends and BYO cheer squads will all be there cheering them on! 

When the world of blisters, worn shoes, tired muscles, never-ending hard work, exhausted body and mind comes to the forefront of one's balletic existence - magic happens!  Sophie Walters knows what all this means; she has come full circle and now the universe is rewarding her - for dedication to her craft. 

Sophie has joined the Burmingham Royal Ballet!  What an incredible feat!  We wish you well with your career and can't wait to hear of all the escapades you will encounter, as you soar your point shoes, to a name in lights!
​Keep setting the world on fire, Sophie!

Instagram 
@paulhasselhofphotography @sophie_walters @sketaozgroup @sketaoz
#dance #believe #believeinyourself #magic #strength #resilience #makeithappen

It is with great pleasure we announce that Kaela Tapper is joining the Royal Swedish Ballet in August 2024!  We wish you the very best for your career - May your feet be swift, your musicality and passion without question and your strength to endure a dancer's career outstanding!
Blessings to you, my love - love Ms. Selina 
#sketaoz #dance #ballet
Instagram - @royalswedishballet @kaela_ballerina

There is no holding down, this gorgeous swan.  Samantha Geddes is the 2019 Sketa Oz Senior Award winner, but tracking her down, even after meeting her briefly at the Brisbane Eisteddfods was no easy task.

It seems wide open spaces, sunburnt land and Uluru (which is wonderfully captured in this shot), is what held Samantha's attention directly after the eisteddfods.  Sitting down for coffee with Ms Selina, just had to wait, as climbing this massive monolith in the red centre of Australia, some 450 km from Alice Springs was first on the cards.  It's a real treat, for any athlete.

I was able to capture the joy of the happy moment, with Mum (Jacque) and Dad (Terry), both who were quite keen to celebrate her success.  We talked briefly that day, but it was our two hour long catch up - two weeks later at Park House Cafe, on Sunday morning in Toowoomba that enabled me to get to know this talented individual more precisely. 

Samantha doing her thing at the Red Centre of Australia.

We'll be keeping up with what is on the dance horizon for Samantha over the next couple of years and we know for sure, the sun is only just rising for this shining star.

It is with great pleasure, I announce this year's Sketa Oz Perpetual Award Recipients Xavier Xue and Samantha Geddes.  Both dancers found incredible strength, flexibility and agility in showcasing their talents at this year's Brisbane Eisteddfods.  

It is behind the scenes - mums and dads getting up at the crack of dawn, to drive keen dancers to the studio for the extra lessons before school; it is selfless sacrifice of not only one's family assisting a dream, but a teacher, a coach, a mentor and copious warm hugs from friends - when the days get hard, when a dancer's world seems not that shiny.

​And when the fruits of their hard labour, turn sweetly ripe, we gladly join in to celebrate their achievements - a breath in the moment of time, when one can smile and say, 'I did what I set out to do'. Yet, we dancers' know well, prestigious sweet rewards don't come easily and tomorrow ones life time friend - the ballet bar will be waiting eagerly for us to perfect that plie', for the hundredth time. :)

We can all think the world gets along as a solo effort, but by fact it takes so many people to make great events such as the Brisbane Eisteddfods and the Sketa Oz Awards.  Each year, we rely on the thoughtful efforts of gracious people to either donate their time or expertise to make events such as these happen.  

Late nights organising dance schedules, weeks of preparation coordinating dancers, helpers, backstage people, equipment and even food preparation are all put together by event managers such as - Bill Pengelly and Sharon Packenas.  Over the years, there have been many others. Two who come to mind are Vicky Hansen and the longstanding organiser Christine Spencer.  Without all these people, the Brisbane Eisteddfods - Dance Solos and Groups would cease to exist. Such people take on the arduous task of organising literally, every breath that goes into making this event a success. 

In the making of Sketa Oz trophies, we rely on the expertise of the Toowoomba Trophy Centre to produce wonderful looking trophies, prepared to our highly artistic, expectations. Without fail, these men produce awesome trophies that our dancers can't wait to hold.  Thank you!  And, if you think of all the other dance trophies required for the Brisbane eisteddfods, I'm sure there are lots of equally hardworking men and women, who continue to work behind the scenes, with minimal thanks.  We would like to thank you, also.

And lastly, engraving is a huge task.  I'm sure there are many of you - just like Charlie, who spent two hours with me on Monday catching up on names that needed to be put, just right.  Thanks Charlie!

The 2018 Sketa Oz Most Promising Senior Classical Dancer and the Most Promising Junior Classical Dancer Awards have been confirmed.  Ainsley Martin took out the Senior Award, while Alicia Woods has been awarded the Junior.  Both talented girls are working hard to achieve their dreams of one day becoming a full-time professional ballet dancers in a company somewhere across the globe.  If I know anything, it is sheer hard work that gets you a places in life.  

So, to both young dancers, we congratulate you on your success, this year!  I am sure there will be more - Sketa Oz always backs hard work, resilience, kindness and a humble outlook on life.  These are the qualities that stand by you, as you grind your way to the top.  It won't be easy, but if you want it bad enough - It will happen!