Telstra Ballet Dancer Award
The Australian Ballet
The Australian Ballet and Telstra are thrilled to announce Coryphée artist Sara Andrlon as the recipient of the prestigious 2024 Telstra Ballet Dancer Award. The accolade was presented on stage at the Sydney Opera House, following the highly anticipated opening night performance of Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker by The Australian Ballet.
Now in its 21st year, this esteemed award celebrates dancers who not only excel artistically but who also embody the Company’s core values: ambition, boldness, inclusivity, respect, and responsibility. Sara exemplifies an unwavering commitment to these values, inspiring fellow company members and enriching The Australian Ballet’s culture, both on and off the stage.
Nominees were selected by The Australian Ballet’s artistic team, with a final round of interviews led by Artistic Director David Hallberg and Telstra’s Group General Counsel and Group Executive, Legal, Regulatory, Government, and Sustainability, Lyndall Stoyles.
Nominees for the 2024 Telstra Ballet Dancer Award included five exceptional dancers, each exemplifying The Australian Ballet’s core values and upholding the company’s high standards
throughout the year.
This year, The Australian Ballet and Telstra are celebrating 40 years of partnership, one of the longeststanding corporate relationships in Australia. The Telstra Ballet Dancer Award is a key cornerstone of this partnership. Since its inception, the award has recognised and supported emerging ballet talent, providing a significant platform for dancers to grow and advance within the company.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director David Hallberg, this year’s award criteria were reimagined to focus on dancers whose character and leadership reflect the ethos of The Australian Ballet.
The Australian Ballet Artistic Director David Hallberg said, “In partnership with Telstra, it is a pleasure to announce Sara Andrlon as the deserving recipient of this year’s Telstra Ballet Dancer Award. Witnessing the incredible dedication and growth of our artists is always a privilege, and Sara has been a wonderful role model for her peers, by embodying the values we hold dear.”
“A heartfelt thank you to Telstra for supporting these awards over the past 21 years, and the significant role they play in championing the artform.”
The Telstra Ballet Dancer Award is a significant milestone in an artist’s journey, with many past winners having gone on to achieve extraordinary heights in their careers. Previous recipients include current Principal Artists Benedicte Bemet, Callum Linnane, Dimity Azoury and Chengwu Guo.
Lyndall Stoyles, Telstra’s Group General Counsel and Group Executive, Legal, Regulatory, Government, and Sustainability said, “Our partnership with The Australian Ballet, now spanning four decades, is invaluable to Telstra and it was a privilege to be part of the team selecting the winer from such fantastic nominees. I congratulate Sara on this milestone in her career.”
In recognition of her achievement, Sara will receive a $15,000 cash prize, generously donated by Telstra. This reimagined award reflects Telstra’s longstanding partnership with The Australian Ballet and their shared commitment to fostering artistic excellence, nurturing emerging talent, and celebrating the integrity required to inspire the next generation of leaders within the ballet community.
