17 January 2023
Sincerest thanks and congratulations to everyone from the Cecchetti Classical Ballet Faculty and all of us at the ISTD for ensuring that the Cecchetti Classical Ballet Awards was such a successful and enjoyable event. It was inspiring to watch all the young dancers take part in this competition again after the hiatus of the last couple of years.
The competitors conducted themselves with professionalism both on and off the stage. The technically accomplished and artistically polished performances of the young dancers were a real joy to watch. The beautifully choreographed set work and dances ensured that each competitor had their moment in the ‘spotlight’.
This event would not have been possible without the support and hard work of our Cecchetti members in preparing their students so beautifully and supporting them to take part. We would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to our adjudicators, teachers, presenters, pianists, and assistants for their time and expertise;
Adjudicator Mabel Ryan Awards, all sections: Brandon Lawrence
Adjudicator – Vacani Awards, Lower Junior and Junior: Gillian Robinson
Adjudicator – Vacani Awards, Middle and Senior: Mary Stassinopoulos
Accompanist: Maria Milanova
Presenter – Lower Junior, Junior, and Middle Awards: Sarah Bradshaw
Presenter and teacher of the Senior Mabel Ryan Award: Holly Unnuk
Set work choreographed by: Lisa Hunter
Choreographer/s of the Mabel Ryan Award dances:
Lower Junior – Elisabeth Swan
Junior – Melanie Bull
Middle – Sarah Wells/Kasper Cornish
Senior – Penny Kay/Kasper Cornish
Assistants/Volunteers: Claudia Bagley, Julie Cronshaw, Amy Heather, Cecile Heunis, Geena Hird, Tanja Koschorrek, Poppy Mason, Demetra Moore, Tracey Moss, Katherine Ranner, Holly Unnuk and Sarah Wells
Technician: David Marley
Official event photography: James Hudson www.hudsonpictures.co.uk
The Mabel Ryan Awards
These awards take place to commemorate Mabel Ryan, a much loved and respected Cecchetti ballet teacher who was herself a pupil of Enrico Cecchetti. As a teacher, she ran her London school in partnership with Margaret Craske, where she worked mainly with children for whom she had deep regard and understanding.
The Cecchetti Associates’ Performance Award
The Cecchetti Associates’ Performance Award is awarded in the Lower Junior Mabel Ryan Award to the competitor who shows the most pleasing sense of performance in their dancing
The Vacani Awards for the joy of dance
There are three Vacani Awards that are presented annually, in the Junior, Middle, and Senior sections of the Mabel Ryan Awards. These awards do not take into consideration technical ability and are presented to the children who show the most enjoyment in their dancing. The Awards are to commemorate Betty Vacani, a notable and distinguished Cecchetti teacher.
Our very grateful thanks also go to The Cecchetti Society Trust for their generous support, to Dance Direct for their sponsorship of the prizes, and to the Central School of Ballet for their hospitality and support.
Awards results 2022
Lower Junior Mabel Ryan Award
Winner Hafsa Lewis Jacqueline Lewis
Runner Up Édith Faissat Mary Goodhew
Cecchetti Associates Performance Award
Winner Connie Jayne Cleary Susan Lucas
Runner Up Elizabeth Wilson Holly Unnuk
Commendations
Uzziah Gray Susan Lucas
Ava Burstin Emma Jane Padfield
Summer Lewis Jacqueline Lewis
Darcy Rose Darnton Rachel Hayward
Riddhi Ghosh Geena Hird
Jack Callachan Lisa Hunter
Junior Mabel Ryan Award
Winner Milly Tebbutt Mary Goodhew
Runner Up Sophie Leeson Holly Unnuk
Vacani Award
Winner Sophia Lane Chow Piedad Sequier @ Susan Handy Dance
Runner up Maddison Coleman Tracey Moss @ KS Dance
Commendations
Jasmine Wheatley Caroline Ambery
Poppy Whittaker Mary Goodhew
Lili Bar Julie Cronshaw
Imogen Williams Levi Knock
Poppy Scott-Taggart Tarryn Owen
Nathan Denyer Holly Unnuk
Middle Mabel Ryan Award
Winner Cordelia Martin Lisa Millard and Mary Goodhew
Runner Up Miou Mercer Rachel Hayward
Vacani Award
Winner Philippa Robertson-Kellie Holly Unnuk
Runners Up Holly Smith Holly Unnuk
Charlie Beth Smith Daisuke Miura
Commendations
Grace Fitton Caroline Ambery
Isabella Marchetti Lucie Wilson
Mia Skovsende Julie Cronshaw
Rebecca Marinelli Julie Cronshaw
Senior Mabel Ryan Award
Winner Monica Jadkowska Mary Goodhew
Runner up Lucy Bartlett Lucie Wilson
Vacani Award
Winner Maia-Jayne Smith Daisuke Miura
Runner up Annabel Yong Geena Hird
Commendations Tilda Marriage Massey Julie Cronshaw
Emily Licis Jane Worsley
