Seven Australian dancers have been selected by The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) to compete in this year’s prestigious Genée International Ballet Competition, which is being held in Toronto.

They are: Samara Brender (15) from Killara, New South Wales, trained by RAD Registered Teacher Jasmin Bobyk; Paloma Hendry-Hodsdon (17) from Kerrie Valley, Victoria, trained by RAD Registered Teacher Shirley Rogers; Primrose Kern (16) from Brisbane, Queensland, trained by RAD Registered Teacher Heidi Landford; Jade Marquez (15) from Hornsby, New South Wales, trained by RAD Registered Teacher Emma Jane Morton; Amber Mitchell-Knight (16) from Bowral, New South Wales, trained by RAD Registered Teacher Susan Sargisan. She has also been trained by Damian Smith and Claire Campbell; Eliza Wenham (15) from Sydney, New South Wales, trained by RAD Registered Teacher Marie Walton Mahon; and Mia Zanardo (15) from Sylvania, New South Wales, trained by RAD Registered Teacher Hilary Kaplan and Archibald McKenzie.

They are joined by two other dancers who are currently training in Australia: New Zealander Kimberley Mear (18), trained by RAD Registered Teacher Melinda Palmer and Yuiko Masukawa; and Japanese dancer Kie Nagayama (18), trained by RAD Registered Teacher Barbara Eversen.

The Genée International Ballet...