The Australian Ballet has named rising dancer Adam Elmes as the winner of the 2025 Telstra Ballet Dancer Award, announcing the honour on stage at the Sydney Opera House following the opening night of The Sleeping Beauty.

Elmes, a coryphée who joined the company in 2020 and was promoted in 2023, receives a $15,000 cash prize provided by Telstra. The award, now in its 22nd year, recognises emerging artists who demonstrate exceptional artistry, leadership and alignment with the company’s core values.

The accolade is regarded as a key career milestone; many past recipients have progressed to senior ranks including soloist and principal roles.

Adam Elmes. Photo © Pierre Toussaint

Nominees for the 2025 award were selected by The Australian Ballet’s artistic team, with final interviews conducted by Artistic Director David Hallberg and Telstra’s Group General Counsel and Group Executive Lyndall Stoyles. Under Hallberg’s direction, this year’s criteria emphasised leadership, dedication and character on and offstage.

Born in Brisbane and raised in Sydney, Elmes began dancing at eight and trained at the Valerie Smith Stage School, the Tanya Pearson Academy and The...