The Australian Ballet and Telstra have announced the five nominees selected for the 2023 Telstra Ballet Dancer Awards (TBDA).

Chosen by The Australian Ballet’s Artistic team, Principal artists and past TBDA winners, the 2023 nominees are: Adam Elmes (corps de ballet dancer), Isobelle Dashwood (soloist), Lilla Harvey (corps de ballet dancer), Riley Lapham (coryphée) and Katherine Sonnekus (coryphée).

This year marks the 20-year anniversary of the Telstra Ballet Dancer Awards. Regarded as the most prestigious awards in ballet in Australia today, the TBDA is a showcase of the next generation of dancers and recognises the hard work and potential of the nominees,  further building the confidence and skills of young performers.

Eleven former winners have become Principal Artists of The Australian Ballet.

2023 Telstra Ballet Dancer Awards nominees Riley Lapham and Katherine Sonnekus.