And the 2012 Telstra Ballet Award goes to...

On Friday at the Sydney Opera House this year's Telstra Ballet Dancer was announced, along with the People's Choice award, and the deserving winners were Amy Harris and Jake Mangakahia respectively. For Harris it's a case of third time lucky, with the popular senior artist being nominated previously in 2008 and 2010 and taking out the People's Choice award on both occasions (this is her first time winning the main accolade however). Harris took home a $20 000 cash prize whilst Mangakahia took home $5000 and People's Choice Award Trophy.

The announcement was made in front of a packed audience, following the premiere of Stephen Baynes' Swan Lake. Australian Ballet Artistic Director David McAllister had this to say -“Bravo to our talented winners! They have both shown tremendous growth as performers this past year, wowing audiences and their fellow dancers with their artistry and technique.

Both winners hail from regional areas prompting McAllister to comment “These wins demonstrate the breadth of artistic talent that lies in regional Australia and the strong appetite for dance in areas outside of the major cities”.

Congratulations to Harris and Mangakahia from everyone here at Energetiks.

:)