Lower Junior Award

Eligibility - All ages and attainment are taken as of 31 December 2026

• Minimum age 8 years and maximum age 10 years by 31 December 2026.
• The competitor must have passed with 70% or above in
  • Grade2/Standard 2, or
  • Grade 3/Standard 3 in the Cecchetti Method (ISTD) but must not have passed a higher examination level.
• The following certificates will be awarded:
  • Musicality
  • Artistry
  • Joy of Dance
  • Best Port de Bras
  • Best Technique
  • Best Solo Performance
  • Class Award (for diligence and hard work)
• A competitor who has received a special certificate in The Cecchetti Junior Award may re-enter this category.
• Closing date for applications and submission of solo music: Thursday 29 October 2026.

Classwork to be presented

The Competition will be a class at Grade 2 level starting from Centre Practice which will include unset exercises set on the day.

1. Unset port de bras
2. Unset adage
3. Unset pirouettes
4. Unset allegro
5. Solo, not exceeding 1 minute, to be set by the teacher. An examination dance may be used. No repertoire.

Junior Award

Eligibility - All ages and attainment are taken as of 31 December 2026

• Minimum age 10 years and maximum age 13 years by 31 December 2026.
• The competitor must have passed with 70% or above in
  • Grade 3/Standard 3, or
  • Grade 4/Standard 4 in the Cecchetti Method (ISTD), but must not have passed a higher examination level.
• The following certificates will be awarded:
  • Musicality
  • Artistry
  • Joy of Dance
  • Best Port de Bras
  • Best Technique
  • Best Solo Performance
  • Class Award (for diligence and hard work)
• A competitor who has received a special certificate in The Cecchetti Junior Award may re-enter this category.
• Closing date for applications and submission of solo music: Thursday 29 October 2026.

Classwork to be presented

The Competition will be a class at Grade 3 level starting from Centre Practice which will include unset exercises set on the day.

1. Unset port de bras
2. Unset adage
3. Unset pirouettes
4. Unset allegro
5. Solo, not exceeding 1 minute, to be set by the teacher. An examination dance may be used. No repertoire.

Middle Award

Eligibility - All ages and attainment are taken as of 31 December 2026

• Minimum age 10 years and maximum age 15 years by 31 December 2026.
• The competitor must have passed with 70% or above in
  • Grade 5/Standard 5,
  • Grade 6/Standard 6, or
  • Intermediate Foundation in the Cecchetti Method (ISTD), but must not have passed a higher examination level.
• 1st and 2nd places will be awarded.
• A competitor who has won The Cecchetti Middle Award may not re-enter this category.
• Closing date for applications and submission of solo music: Thursday 29 October 2026.

Classwork to be presented – Middle Award

The Competition will be a class starting from Centre Practice which will include Grade 6 set exercises and unset exercises at Grade 5 level.

The Grade 6 set exercises are:

1. Set Port de Bras.  (First and Second, Third and Fourth)
2. Grade 6 : set Attitude Adage
3. Grade 6 : set Grand Jeté en Tournant
4. Solo, not exceeding 1 minute, to be set by the teacher. An examination dance may be used. Classical ballet repertoire should not be used. 

Rules

• Competitors must be receiving training in the Cecchetti Method and may participate subject to the approval of their Cecchetti teacher.
• Competitors must be residents in Malta/Maltese nationals.
• Competitors must have studied The Cecchetti Method for a period of one year prior to entering for the Awards.
• Dress regulations must be adhered to. Please see 'Dress Regulations' below for full details.
• Competitors shall agree to abide by ALL the rules laid down for the Competition and shall accept the Adjudicator’s decision as final.
• Candidates entering the Awards should have gained the relevant examination with a minimum of 70%. When completing the consent form, parents/carers will be asked to submit a copy of the candidate's certificate or report form to confirm eligibility.
• Capping per school will be applied to the Lower Junior, Junior and Middle Awards – 8 students per school/group.
• Late Entries will not be accepted.
• Solo music to be uploaded via a Dropbox link provided after purchase of an entry.

Dress Regulations

• Candidates should wear what they usually wear in a ballet dance class.
• Dancewear should not display a school logo.
• We kindly request the following not to be worn: skirts, high-necked leotards, shorts or trousers.
• 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.

Eligibility - All ages and attainment are taken as of 31 December 2026

• Minimum age 12 years and maximum age 20 years of age by the 31 December 2026.
• The competitor must have passed either Intermediate or Advanced 1 in the Cecchetti Method (ISTD) with Merit. The competitor must not have taken their Advanced 2 examination by the date of the awards.
• 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 = €1,100
Runner Up = €400

• A competitor who has won this award may not re-enter the competition.
• Closing Date for applications and submission of solo music: Thursday 29 October 2026.

Classwork to be presented - 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 at Advanced 1 level are:

1. The Cecchetti Second Set of Port de Bras
2. Temps du Courante (Option 1) or Coupé et Fouetté (Option 2)
3. Glissade Assemblé, Temps Levé in Arabesque (Option 1) or Assemblé Temps Levé (forwards and backwards) (Option 2)

Pointe work and/or virtuosity steps 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 30 seconds in length. The variation may also be danced on pointe (candidate’s choice).

Rules - The Tanya Bayona Senior Award

• Competitors must be receiving training in the Cecchetti Method and may participate subject to the approval of their Cecchetti teacher.
• Competitors must be residents in Malta/Maltese nationals.
• Competitors must have studied The Cecchetti Method for a period of one year prior to entering for the Awards.
• Dress Regulation must be adhered to. Please see 'Dress Regulations' below for full details.
• Competitors shall agree to abide by ALL the rules laid down for the Competition and shall accept the Adjudicator’s decision as final.
• Candidates entering the Awards should have gained the relevant examination with a minimum of Merit. When completing the consent form, parents/carers will be asked to submit a copy of the candidate's certificate or report form to confirm eligibility.

Dress Regulations

• Candidates should wear what they usually wear in a ballet dance class.
• Dancewear should not display a school logo.
• We kindly request the following not to be worn: skirts, high-necked leotards, shorts or trousers.
• Participants in the Senior Award may wear a practice tutu or skirt for their variation, but not a full costume.
• 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.

Entries

Applications open: - Tuesday 29 September 2026

Closing Date for applications and music -  Thursday 29 October 2026
Late Entries will not be accepted. 

Entry Fees

The Cecchetti Malta Lower Junior Award - €32.00

The Cecchetti Malta Junior Award – €32.00

The Cecchetti Malta Middle Award - €36.00

The Tanya Bayona Senior Award – €42.00

Terms & 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.
• 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 Cecchetti Malta Awards is dependent on receiving a minimum number of entries to proceed. In the event that insufficient entries are received and the competition is deemed unviable, all entry fees will be refunded in full. 

Teachers are responsible for informing competitors of this condition prior to registration. Should the competition be cancelled, teachers will be notified via email.
For more information please contact: ccbmalta@istd.org or events@istd.org