The Joburg Ballet Academy is delighted to announce that the 2026 Debut Dancer Bursary Award presentation will take place on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 June at the Roodepoort Theatre.

The 2026 Debut Dancer Bursary Award presentation will feature 10 finalists (selected at a recent open audition for young ballet dancers from ages 13 to 14, training in RAD, Cecchetti and other methods from various private studios in Gauteng) in a curated class, with live piano accompaniment and a variation on stage, under the guidance of Anya Carstens, former principal dancer of Joburg Ballet.
The winner of the Debut Dancer Bursary 2026 will be selected and announced at the final performance on Saturday 6 June.

The panel of esteemed judges comprises Gail Myburgh, National Chair of the Cecchetti Society of Southern Africa, Olivia Lume, National Director of Africa for the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Revil Yon, principal dancer Joburg Ballet.

The programme will feature:
• works performed by the Joburg Ballet Academy dancers - an extract from Paquita, staged by Monier Javier and a new contemporary work Hope, choreographed by Roseline Wilkens – “Hope is an optimistic state of mind that expects good happening , even when things seem uncertain”.
• a rendition of Oliver Twist performed by the Joburg Junior Ballet with guest artist Nigel Hannah as Fagin and choreographed by Jo Stoller, Tracey McNiven and Christine Sheperd who, with many years of presenting highly successful works, will undoubtedly deliver a highly entertaining item at this year's event.
• in keeping with the Joburg Ballet Academy’s ongoing relationship with local dance teachers, those that have students at the Academy have been invited to have their studio perform and presenting works are Karen Beukes, Vanessa Eberol and Natasha Ireland.

The Joburg Ballet Academy continues to provide young, talented dancers the opportunity to develop and master the art of their training by creating opportunities to work with professional teachers and dancers in professional companies.

The South African Ballet Theatre Trust, under the chairmanship of Joburg Ballet's honorary Life Patron Annzie Hancock has been involved with providing financial support to the JB Academy.