11 December 2025
The 2025 Cecchetti Malta Awards represented a landmark celebration. This year marked six decades since Tanya Bayona opened Malta’s first Cecchetti Ballet School. With 132 participants on the day and a strong sense of community, the event showcased exceptional talent, dedication, and the continued growth of Cecchetti training on the island. Adjudicator Gillian Hurst and guest of honour, Bayona, highlighted the high standard, joy, and professionalism of Maltese dancers, while organisers and teachers ensured a warm, efficient, and inspiring day for all.
A special milestone year
his year’s event held special significance, honouring Tanya Bayona’s pioneering work and the growth of Cecchetti training in Malta. What began as a small initiative on the island has flourished into a vibrant and thriving Cecchetti community. The Cecchetti Malta Awards continue to bring dancers, teachers, and supporters together to celebrate shared achievements and the enduring legacy of Cecchetti training.
The Awards were held at the Brigitte Gauci Borda School of Dance on Sunday 30 November 2025, with Gillian Hurst acting as adjudicator. She praised the students and teachers for their hard work and expressed her delight in watching the dancers perform confidently during their solos. Music accompaniment was provided by Maria Elena Farrugia, while Nicola Fenech, Ingrid Scerri, and Anne Gatt taught the classes. The organising team consisted of Theresa Lungaro-Mifsud, Johane Casabene, Brigitte Gauci Borda, Mireille Coleiro, Rowena Grech, Ingrid Scerri, and Anne Gatt. They were honoured to welcome Tanya Bayona, who attended the Senior Award and presented the certificates to the winners.
"On a personal note, I am extremely proud of how the Awards have developed and grown over the years. The standard rises every year, and yet we continue to maintain a warm, friendly, and welcoming environment. This event would not have been possible without the generous support of Lucy Davis and Valentina Grecchi at ISTD, The Cecchetti Trust, and my colleagues on The Cecchetti Legacy Group, Malta. Thank you."
- Theresa Lungaro-Mifsud
Tanya Bayona Award
Tanya Bayona was the first to introduce the Cecchetti Method to Malta and founded the island’s first Cecchetti ballet school. It was fitting that the award was named after her.
“I was so impressed and uplifted with the energy as I walked through the entrance of the Brigitte Gauci Borda ballet school, to encounter so many young dance students warming up in the hall and dance studios before their turn to go in for their class and solo performance. Discipline and fine grooming were in the air which radiated the energy and joy of these students. How rewarding to see these values one learns in dance and to see it grow in Malta as we proudly join the international echelons of Dance.
- Tanya Bayona
The Malta Awards 2025
The full-day Malta Awards were adjudicated by Gillian Hurst, including the prestigious Tanya Bayona Senior Award, with prize money generously donated by The Cecchetti society Trust.
Gillian Hurst reflected:
“I was one of several English teachers who taught for Tanya, and as this is the 60th anniversary year of Cecchetti being taught on the island, it seemed fitting that I should be with the teachers at this lovely event.
The day was organised very efficiently, with teachers warming up the students behind the scenes and making sure the timetable was adhered to for all concerned. It was gratifying to see so many young dancers competing for awards in a multitude of categories – musicality, joy of dance, strong technique, use of port de bras and due to the high standard of these dancers, I was given a very difficult task in all four levels I had the pleasure of adjudicating.
In all, 132 students participated from a mixture of schools, all coming together to celebrate the work of Cecchetti, and the culmination of the day, the Tanya Bayona Award, revealed some very strong dancers, confident in their own abilities and able to perform beyond the studio with a professional approach. My thanks go to Theresa Lungaro-Mifsud and her wonderful team, to the teachers who delivered the class work, the pianist who supported the students with her beautiful music, and to Brigitte Gauci Borda who welcomed us all to her beautiful studios. My thanks also go to the ISTD for their support in running this event, and the Cecchetti Trust for supporting the Tanya Bayona Award.
I would like to congratulate all involved, students and teachers alike, and wish them every success in the future as they continue to study and develop their skills, and work towards the Malta Awards 2026.”
Please select a category below to reveal the table of results:
Cecchetti Malta Awards 2025 - Lower Junior Awards ➧
| Award | Candidate | Teacher | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Musicality | Maya Satariano | Marisha Bonnici | Seed Dance Studios |
| Artistry | Tessa Grech | Francesca Bartolo | The Dance Workshop |
| Joy of Dance | Eva Critien | Marisha Bonnici | Seed Dance Studios |
| Best Port de Bras | Kay Frendo Jones | Marisha Bonnici | Seed Dance Studios |
| Best Technique | Maria De La Fuente | Marisha Bonnici | Seed Dance Studios |
| Best Solo Performance | Pearl Dimech | Johane Casabene | Johane Casabene Dance Conservatoire |
| Class Award (for diligence and hard work) | Emily Gingell | Anne Gatt | St. Michael School |
Cecchetti Malta Awards 2025 - Junior Awards ➧
| Award | Candidate | Teacher | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Musicality | Anne Grima | Rowena Grech | Academy of Dance Arts |
| Artistry | Mia Theobald | Marisha Bonnici | Seed Dance Studios |
| Joy of Dance | Kayley Zammit | Rowena Grech | Academy of Dance Arts |
| Best Port de Bras | Ella Sciberras | Anne Gatt | St. Michael Foundation |
| Best Technique | Sarah Jane Camilleri | Rowena Grech | Academy of Dance Arts |
| Best Solo Performance | Sasha Vella | Marisha Bonnici | Seed Dance Studios |
| Class Award (for diligence and hard work) | Piper Falzon | Marisha Bonnici | Seed Dance Studios |
Cecchetti Malta Awards 2025 - Middle Awards ➧
| Award | Candidate | Teacher | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Kira Mallia | Theresa Lungaro-Mifsud | The Dance Workshop |
| Runner Up | Ida Pace | Marisha Bonnici | Seed Dance Studios |
| Commendation | Mila Woods | Marisha Bonnici | Seed Dance Studios |
Cecchetti Malta Awards 2025 - Tanya Bayona Senior Awards ➧
| Award | Candidate | Teacher | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Julia Debono | Theresa Lungaro-Mifsud | The Dance Workshop |
| Runner Up | Jeanine Marie Gatt | Theresa Lungaro-Mifsud | The Dance Workshop |
| Commendation | Jaelle Vella | Theresa Lungaro-Mifsud | The Dance Workshop |
