These prestigious awards were created in 2017 by Catherine Hutchon, former chair of the Cecchetti Classical Ballet Faculty, and a group of Maltese teachers. The aim is to further develop and promote the wonderful Cecchetti work, and to provide an opportunity for Maltese students to enter dance competitions.

The first awards took place in 2018 and were dedicated to Tanya Bayona, who introduced the Cecchetti Method to Malta and was the owner of the first Cecchetti ballet school on the Island. Encouraged by the success of this event, a second award was introduced in 2019, the Cecchetti Junior Award, which caters for younger dancers. Due to the pandemic, an online competition ran in 2020/2021.

Tanya Bayona

 Ms Tanya Bayona MQR FISTD (London) Enrico Cecchetti Diploma is a Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, London and holder of the Enrico Cecchetti Diploma. Following her early training Malta with Princess Nathalie Poutiatine, Tanya undertook professional training in London, Rome, Paris and Russia. In 1965 Tanya introduced the Cecchetti Method in classical ballet in Malta and established her school.

Tanya Bayona amalgamated with Princess Tanya Bayona-Poutiatine Academy of Ballet in 1981, which she directed until 2004. Working extensively as a dancer and choreographer with her own dance company; her work was showcased in both local and international festivals and within theatre and television productions. Awards include: the Medal for Service to the Republic/Midalja Ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika (MQR) for her life-long commitment to dance and ballet in Malta (2008); the Enrico Cecchetti Gold Medal awarded at the Royal Ballet School, London (2009); Chevalier dans Les Palmes Academiques awarded by the Government of France. . Life- Time Achievement Award (June 2022) by the Arts Council Malta.

This year we are delighted to be holding the awards in a theatre for the first time. The awards are generously supported by The Cecchetti Society Trust.

The Cecchetti Junior Award €35

The Tanya Bayona Senior Award €40

The Cecchetti Junior Award:

1. The competitor must be 13 and under 15 years of age by 1 September 2022.

2. The competitor must have passed Grade 6 in the Cecchetti Method (ISTD). The work will be judged at INTERMEDIATE LEVEL.

3. The competition will be held in the form of a class which will include set and unset exercises starting from centre practice, as well as a solo. Please refer to the attached document for the notes on the work to be presented on the day.

4. 1st and 2nd place will be awarded.

5. A competitor who has won The Cecchetti Junior Award may not re-enter this category.

The Tanya Bayona Senior Award:

1. The competitor must be 15 and under 20 years of age by 1 September 2022.

2. The competitor must have passed Intermediate in the Cecchetti Method (ISTD). The work will be set at Advanced 1 Level.

3. The competition will be held in the form of a class which will include set and unset exercises starting from centre practice, as well as a solo. Please refer to the attached document for the notes on the work to be presented on the day.

5. Prizes will be awarded for 1st and 2nd place, to further their Cecchetti training. The Cecchetti Society Trust will award the following:

- Tanya Bayona Award €1100 Euros

- Runner up €400 Euros

6. A competitor who has won this award may not re-enter the competition.

Rules common to both Awards:

1. Competitors must be receiving training in the Cecchetti Method and may participate subject to the approval of their Cecchetti teacher.

2. Competitors must be residents of Malta/Maltese nationals.

3. Competitors must have studied The Cecchetti Method for a period of one year prior to entering the Awards.

4. Dress Regulations must be adhered to. Please see the separate list for full details.

5. Competitors shall agree to abide by ALL the rules laid down for the Competition and shall accept the Adjudicator’s decision as final.

6. Candidates entering the Awards should have gained the relevant examination with a minimum of 70% pass. Please be aware this may be checked.

Dress regulations

Candidates should wear what they usually wear in a ballet dance class.

We kindly request the following are not worn: skirts, high-necked leotards, shorts, or trousers, please. Hair must be neatly dressed, away from the face, with no ribbon or flower adornments.

Candidates not adhering to this dress and hair code may be eliminated.

The Competition will be a class starting from Centre Practice which will include set and unset exercises at the Intermediate level

The set exercises are:

1. The Cecchetti first set Port de Bras.

2. Intermediate : Adage Enchaînment

3. Intermediate set Grand Jeté en Tournant

Pointe work for female candidates and virtuosity for male candidates will be held at the end of the class.

Solo - under 1 minute, to be set by the teacher (solo not on pointe).

The Tanya Bayona Senior Award

The Competition will be a class starting from Centre Practice which will include set and unset exercises at Advanced 1 Level

The set exercises are:

1. The Cecchetti Second Set of Ports De Bras,

2. Temps du courante/ Coupé et Fouetté

3. Glissade assemblé, temps levé in arabesque/Assemblé temps levé (forwards and backwards)

Pointe work for female candidates and virtuosity for male candidates will be held at the end of the class.

Candidates will then perform a pre-rehearsed solo variation. This can be either from a classical ballet or specifically choreographed and should not exceed 1 minute in length. The female variation may also be danced on pointe (candidate’s choice).

Terms and Conditions

Anyone competing in this event does so at their own risk. The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing will not accept any responsibility for any injury howsoever caused.

A media consent form will be circulated to those who have applied to enter. Written consent must be obtained for competitors and any additional performers from parents/carers/guardians.

By entering this competition, you have agreed on the competitor's behalf, if they are selected as a winner or for any commendation, for their name and possibly footage of them dancing, to be published on ISTD marketing / social media channels.

Upon submission of your application on the competitor’s behalf, you are agreeing to the criteria set above.

You can find more information on our policies here.

No refunds are payable once an entry has been made and payment received.

The Adjudicators’ decision is final, individual feedback will not be provided.

*The competition relies on a certain number of entries being received. If insufficient entries are received the competition may not be viable and in this case, entry fees will be returned. Competitors must be made aware of this by their teacher in advance. If the competition cannot take place teachers will be advised by email.

For more information please contact: ccbmalta@istd.org or cecchetti@istd.org