The Tait Memorial Trust announce new prize for two Royal Ballet School graduates

The Tait Memorial Trust is proud to announce the Tait Bonynge Prize, a prestigious new annual award recognising and supporting outstanding ballet dancers from Australia and New Zealand.

The award will grant £5,000 each to two outstanding Australian or New Zealand graduates of The Royal Ballet School: one selected to join The Royal Ballet’s Aud Jebsen Young Dancers Programme, and another selected to join the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s BRB2 company.

Named in honour of renowned Australian conductor and a Patron of the Tait Memorial Trust, Richard Bonynge AC CBE, whose distinguished career and dedication to supporting emerging artists have inspired generations, this prize aims to offer crucial support and acknowledgment to the next generation of ballet stars.

Isla Baring OAM, Chairman of the Tait Memorial Trust, said:

‘The Tait Bonynge Prize represents an exciting new chapter in our mission to support young artists from Australia and New Zealand. By linking this initiative with The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet, we are investing in the future of ballet and celebrating the shared cultural heritage of our nations.’

Richard Bonynge AC CBE added:

‘I am honoured and delighted that the Tait Memorial Trust has established this prize, reflecting our shared passion for nurturing exceptional artistic talent. If I can help to make life easier for a few young dancers of today it gives me the greatest pleasure.’

This initiative builds upon the longstanding tradition of excellence at The Royal Ballet School, renowned for producing many of the world’s finest dancers. The prize reflects both institutions’ shared dedication to advancing the arts and ensuring that talented young individuals have the resources to succeed.

The Aud Jebsen Young Dancers Programme and BRB2 are world-renowned platforms for developing ballet talent.

The Aud Jebsen Young Dancers Programme was established in 2014 and provides recently graduated dancers a year’s contract to be nurtured and perform alongside the corps de ballet of The Royal Ballet.

BRB2 was established in 2022 and allows dancers to train and perform with the Birmingham Royal Ballet company in major productions. They also develop their own touring programme, supported by senior members of BRB's ballet staff.

Spearheaded by Royal Ballet School alumna, former Royal Ballet Principal Ballerina and a Patron of the Tait Memorial Trust, Leanne Benjamin AM OBE, recipients of the Tait Bonynge Prize will be selected by a distinguished panel of industry experts including Kevin O’Hare CBE, Director of The Royal Ballet, and Carlos Acosta CBE, Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Leanne Benjamin AM OBE, Former Royal Ballet Principal Ballerina and Patron of the Tait Memorial Trust, said:

‘I know how important it was for me as a budding ballerina to be able to travel the world, meet artists, and to see performances and exhibitions. This prize represents a wonderful opportunity for young dancers, helping them transition successfully into professional careers with invaluable support and mentorship.’

Kevin O’Hare CBE, Director of The Royal Ballet, said:

‘The Tait Memorial Trust has already done so much to enrich the future of performing artists from Australia and New Zealand and now this new initiative promises even more crucial support for those individuals in our wonderful Aud Jebsen Young Dancers programme embedding themselves into company life.’

Carlos Acosta CBE, Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, said:

‘The Tait Bonynge Prize is a brilliant new development by the Tait Memorial Trust in its continued support of talented young artists from Australia and New Zealand. The generous prize will help exceptional young ballet students make the crucial transition to life as professional dancers through the tremendous opportunities offered by our BRB2 initiative.’

The Tait Bonynge Prize includes financial support and opportunities for professional mentoring, ensuring recipients can fully seize their potential.

This award will only be presented if eligible Australian or New Zealand dancers are accepted into either programme in that year, which will be announced in the coming weeks.