The Tait Memorial Trust has today announced the establishment of the Tait Bonynge Prize, a new award for Australian or New Zealand graduates of The Royal Ballet School.

Isla Baring, Richard Bonynge and Leanne Benjamin. Photo courtesy of Tait Memorial Trust

Aiming to “offer crucial support and acknowledgement to the next generation of ballet stars”,  the Prize grants £5,000 (c. AU$10,500) to its two recipients, who have been selected to participate in The Royal Ballet’s Aud Jebsen Young Dancers Programme, or the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s BRB2 company.

The award will only be presented if dancers are selected for either position.

The Aud Jebsen Young Dancers Programme offers a year-long contract to recent graduates of The Royal Ballet School to develop their skills alongside the corps de ballet. BRB2 provides an opportunity for dancers to train alongside the Birmingham Royal Ballet and develop a touring program. Both are highly regarded professional development programs.

The selection panel will be led by former The Royal Ballet Principal and Trust Patron Leanne Benjamin and include The Royal Ballet Director Kevin O’Hare and Birmingham Royal Ballet Director Carlos Acosta.

“I know how important it was for me as...