Scholarship for Aspiring Male Dancers in Yrs 6-9

Boys’ Classical Ballet Scholarship

Boys entering Yrs 6-9 in 2025 are invited to apply.

This is a unique opportunity for boys aiming to pursue a career in Classical Ballet to work with some of Australia’s best teachers. Specialised male dance training is combined with academic education to ensure all career options remain open to young dancers.

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Image credit: Erik Sawaya
Senior Classical Ballet Stream - Swan Lake
Image credit: Winkipop
McDonald College Sydney Eisteddfod Winner Henry Burgess
Image credit: BWP Studios
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Image credit: LK Studio

“If I hadn’t come to The McDonald College, my career wouldn’t exist”
Lachlan Monaghan – Principal Dancer at Birmingham Royal Ballet

At The McDonald College, we have a rich history of nurturing male ballet dancers with our unique approach that balances academic and artistic training in a safe environment that supports every dancer’s needs.

Discover the journey of Lachlan Monaghan, Principal Dancer at Birmingham Royal Ballet and The McDonald College alumnus.

At The McDonald College, students receive exceptional training from renowned ballet professionals. Our specialised male ballet program focuses on nurturing young male dancers, ensuring they have the foundation to succeed in both national and international ballet careers.

We believe in holistic development. Alongside ballet training, students pursue academic education to the HSC level, ensuring they excel both on stage and in the classroom. This balance allows them to keep all future career options open, whether in dance or other fields.

Our students train with guest teachers and choreographers from world-leading ballet companies, including The Australian Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and The Royal Ballet. These mentors offer invaluable insights and connections within the professional ballet world.

We offer multiple performance opportunities to our students throughout the year, including a full-length ballet production such as Giselle, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker; an Evening of Classical Ballet; High Performance Week and much more.

Our students regularly win or become finalists in elite dance competitions, including Alana Haines Awards , Youth America Grand Prix and The Prix de Lausanne. Our alumni have graced the stages of the most prestigious ballet companies around the globe. The McDonald College’s consistent track record of producing elite dancers speaks to the quality of our programs and faculty.

We foster a community where students feel inspired to reach their potential. With small class sizes, personalised attention, and state-of-the-art facilities, each dancer is guided to achieve their personal best, both physically and mentally.

Meet our guest teachers

Alongside our renown faculty, who bring years of experience and passion to the classroom, our students are taught by some of the finest ballet professionals in the world. Our guest teachers, hailing from prestigious ballet companies such as The Australian Ballet, Boston Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, help shape the future careers of our dancers through specialised, high-quality instruction, offering expert guidance and insight, particularly in male training.

Adam Bull

Former Principal Artist with The Australian Ballet

Adam Bull Profile

Matthew Slattery

Former Second Soloist with Boston Ballet

Former Soloist with Royal New Zealand Ballet

Matt Slattery Profile

Danilo Radojevic

Former Principal with American Ballet Theatre

Former Principal Guest Artist with Basel Ballet and Royal Ballet of Flanders

Former Associate Artistic Director with The Australian Ballet

Danilo Radojevic E1729007475679

How to apply

Boys’ Scholarship entries close 22 November 2024

Scholarship entries are integrated into our Audition process. The value of the scholarship is based on the artistic and academic merit and will vary for each recipient. We invite young dancers to audition on 1 November 2024. If you’re unable to attend the Auditions, please contact our Registrar below and we’ll arrange an alternative option for you. If you have already registered for Auditions, you don’t need to do anything else.

Get to know our alumni

Our past students have achieved success in some of the world’s most prestigious ballet companies.

Ballet dancer,Classical Ballet,Dutch National Ballet Academy,MCD alumni

Alum | Aaron Kok

Aaron’s passion for dance has taken him across the…
Alexander Idaszak McDonald College Alum

Alum | Alexander Idaszak

Principal Artist at Queensland Ballet. Alexander Idaszak joined the…
Antonyhamilton Photopedrogreig E1687225044631 640x640 C Default

Alum | Antony Hamilton

Artistic Director and co-CEO of Chunky Move. Following graduation from…
Ballet,Classical Ballet,Performing Arts

Alum | Charlie Slater

Charlie Slater’s journey into the world of ballet began…
McDonald College Alumni

Alum | Harrison Lee

First Artist at The Royal Ballet, London. Harrison Lee…
Hugo Dumapit The McDonald College Performing Arts Primary and Secondary School in Sydney

Alum | Hugo Dumapit

Coryphée at The Australian Ballet. Hugo Dumapit was born…
Jordan Micallef McDonald College Alum

Alum | Jordan Micallef

Corps de Ballet of The Sarasota Ballet. Jordan Micallef took…
Lachlan Monaghan McDonald College Alum

Alum | Lachlan Monaghan

Principal Dancer at Birmingham Royal Ballet. As a child,…

Get in touch with our Registrar

02 9752 0507 | registrar@mcdonald.nsw.edu.au