The 2024 Telstra Ballet Dancer Award has been announced, following the opening night of The Australian Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the Sydney Opera House on 30 November.

Sara Andrlon on stage after The Nutcracker. Photo © Cassandra Hannagan

German-born Coryphée artist Sara Andrlon has been named the 2024 winner, and has recieved a $15,000 cash prize.

Andrlon trained at The Australian Ballet School, before joining TAB in 2019. She has featured in productions including Giselle, Storytime Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty and Circle Electric, and performed in the soloist role of Lillie Langtry in 2024’s Oscar. She was promoted to the role of coryphée in 2023.

2024 marks the 21st year of the Telstra Ballet Dancer Award, which honours an emerging dancer that showcases the company’s “core values” – ambition, boldness, inclusivity, respect and responsibility – as well as 40 years of partnership between TAB and Telstra.

“It is a pleasure to announce Sara Andrlon as the deserving recipient of this year’s Telstra Ballet Dancer Award. Witnessing the incredible dedication and growth of our artists is always a privilege, and Sara has been a wonderful role model for her peers, by embodying the values we hold...