Students celebrate alumna Leanne Benjamin AM OBE

Three of our Australian students were invited to celebrate the achievements of Royal Ballet School alumna and former Royal Ballet Principal dancer Leanne Benjamin AM OBE this week at the Leanne Benjamin AM OBE Recital evening.

The students, Mason, Meg, and Ruby, are all supported by the Tait Memorial Trust through the Leanne Benjamin Awards.

This event, at Australia House on the Strand in London, was hosted by Ms Linda Apelt, Agent-General for the Queensland Government.

It was to celebrate Leanne Benjamin winning the inaugural Queensland Agent-General Award, in recognition of her outstanding achievements and services to the arts, in particular ballet, in Queensland and internationally.

The recital included music, singing and dancing with six talented artists.

Leanne Benjamin said:

‘It was amazing to have the Leanne Benjamin Awards winners, Ruby, Mason, and Meg join me at Australia House on Wednesday Night! I was there to receive the inaugural Queensland Agent General Award for my contribution to cultural exchange, and was asked to curate a recital, which was a wonderful experience – in the presence of the Australian High Commissioner and the Governor of Queensland.

‘The Leanne Benjamin Award is designed to help support young Australian and New Zealand dancers to train in the UK. It is wonderful to help the students and to know that this kind of work is being recognised and supported.’