<p>One scholarship to Royal Ballet School has been extended to up to 3yrs by RBS director/adjudicator for 15yr old Georgina Martin 2<sup>nd</sup> Runner-up A group from QLD.</p>
<p>The prestigious jury of six internationally renown celebrities included stars from the inspiring movie ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’ Li Cunxin & Mary McKendry, plus ‘Royal Ballet School’ Director London Gailene Stock - former 1991 AHA recipient from ‘The Australian Ballet Co’ Mark Cassidy, ‘Swedish Ballet Co’ Tibor Horvath & ‘Australian Ballet School’ Leigh Rowles.</p>
<p>The event spanning 4 days opened with a full house to view the celebrated Movie of ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’ sponsored by Auckland Council with Li Cunxin speaking & signing books. This continued with adjudicated classes then 3 rounds of performances over the next 3 days culminating with the Grand Finals to a capacity audience of over 1000 followed by a cocktail party. Finals host was Sir Jon Trimmer –Leading artist RNZB & patron of the AHA Awards - guest performer was Hannah O’Neill ‘Australian Ballet School’ who was 1<sup>st</sup> runner-up in AHA Awards 2005 & 2007. Hannah went on to win the prestigious Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland 2009 & the Youth America Grand Prix in New York 2010 & was a great inspiration to an already excellent standard of dancers.</p>
<p>Scholarships for the 2011 event included elite international companies & schools from Hong Kong, Europe & USA. All Supreme Finalists from 2011 on will be able to apply through the new AHA Awards ‘Ongoing Financial Support’ scheme to help towards all scholarships related costs.<strong><em> AHA Awards is the only competition in the world to offer ongoing financial support to recipients but with only NZ$60,000 in this fund to distribute in 3 rounds we need contributions towards these funds to make a difference.</em></strong></p>
<p>This event attracts thousands of dance enthusiasts, tutors, families throughout Australia & many past recipients of these awards are now international stars - performing in professional companies throughout the world.</p>
<p>One scholarship to Royal Ballet School has been extended to up to 3yrs by RBS director/adjudicator for 15yr old Georgina Martin 2<sup>nd</sup> Runner-up A group from QLD.</p>
<p>The prestigious jury of six internationally renown celebrities included stars from the inspiring movie ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’ Li Cunxin & Mary McKendry, plus ‘Royal Ballet School’ Director London Gailene Stock - former 1991 AHA recipient from ‘The Australian Ballet Co’ Mark Cassidy, ‘Swedish Ballet Co’ Tibor Horvath & ‘Australian Ballet School’ Leigh Rowles.</p>
<p>The event spanning 4 days opened with a full house to view the celebrated Movie of ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’ sponsored by Auckland Council with Li Cunxin speaking & signing books. This continued with adjudicated classes then 3 rounds of performances over the next 3 days culminating with the Grand Finals to a capacity audience of over 1000 followed by a cocktail party. Finals host was Sir Jon Trimmer –Leading artist RNZB & patron of the AHA Awards - guest performer was Hannah O’Neill ‘Australian Ballet School’ who was 1<sup>st</sup> runner-up in AHA Awards 2005 & 2007. Hannah went on to win the prestigious Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland 2009 & the Youth America Grand Prix in New York 2010 & was a great inspiration to an already excellent standard of dancers.</p>
<p>Scholarships for the 2011 event included elite international companies & schools from Hong Kong, Europe & USA. All Supreme Finalists from 2011 on will be able to apply through the new AHA Awards ‘Ongoing Financial Support’ scheme to help towards all scholarships related costs.<strong><em> AHA Awards is the only competition in the world to offer ongoing financial support to recipients but with only NZ$60,000 in this fund to distribute in 3 rounds we need contributions towards these funds to make a difference.</em></strong></p>
<p>This event attracts thousands of dance enthusiasts, tutors, families throughout Australia & many past recipients of these awards are now international stars - performing in professional companies throughout the world.</p>
