29 August 2024
Dancers and their families joined us from India, Portugal and across the UK. We are delighted that this event took place on the final evening of the week-long, Residential Summer Programme at Chichester, allowing ISTD teachers, examiners, friends and family of performers to join together to celebrate the excellence within the ISTD.
Each performer present on the day was nominated to represent a Theatre faculty due to winning or taking part in recent ISTD faculty or related events. The performances on the day were adjudicated by respected leaders of the dance industry; Jessica Clarke, Lukas Hunt and Abi Mortimer.
Junior nominees performed a solo in their nominating genre, and Senior nominees performed both a solo in their nominating genre and a contrasting solo – either in style or genre. The performance concluded with an Introduction to Street Dance, given by Michaela Stannard, Head of Strategic Project Development.
Once adjudicators had made their difficult decisions, the awards ceremony for the winners and commendations took place, with a winner and commendation awarded in each category. As part of the ISTD’s charitable status, the winning dancers will receive financial bursaries to support their future training, and teachers of nominated students will receive a bursary to fund development opportunities and community activity.
Winners from the evening’s celebrations:
Junior Winner – Joan Durrant Award: Niya Sajesh (Shruti Sriram, Sanskriti UK), Classical Indian Dance
Senior Winner – Paddy Hurlings Award: Beatriz Kingsmill-Smith (Fiona Sheehan, Mayhew School of Dance), Classical Greek Dance
Junior Commendation: Samuel Phillippo-Clapp (Aaron Lissimore, The Company Performing Arts), Tap Dance
Senior Commendation: Lili Skye Howe (Amanda Wilkins, Robina Smith, Kilburn School of Dance), National Dance
Photo of winners, commends and adjudicators
L to R: Samuel Phillippo-Clapp, Niya Sajesh, Jessica Clarke, Lukas Hunt, Abi Mortimer, Beatriz Kingsmill-Smith, Paddy Hurlings, Lili Skye Howe
Ginny Brown, ISTD Chief Executive, said, “Congratulations to all the Bursary Award participants, all of whom were participants of recent ISTD competitions. It was truly inspiring to watch such talented young dancers displaying expertise across all our Theatre genres. The technical ability and performance skills of all the performers is a great credit to their teachers.”
Testimonials from the winners
“This award means a great deal to me as it has given me the opportunity to dance in front of a more diverse audience and allow them to encounter what Bharatanatyam is. Furthermore, it has allowed me to meet so many new dancers and opened my eyes towards other forms of classical dance.” – Junior Winner, Niya Sajesh
“I am humbled to have received this award as I close this chapter of my dance journey and move onto my professional training. The Paddy Hurlings Award for outstanding talent and future potential in dance is truly an honour award to receive. Thank you to ISTD for the wealth of wonderful syllabus helping shape me into the dancer I am today and for being a prolific and huge part of my life to date.” – Senior Winner, Beatriz Kingsmill-Smith
Photo of all nominees, adjudicators
