Tait Memorial Trust Announces 2026 Award Recipients
London, UK – September 2026
The Tait Memorial Trust is delighted to announce the recipients of its 2026 Music and Ballet Awards, providing £85,500 in support to outstanding young musicians, singers and dancers from Australia and New Zealand developing their careers in the United Kingdom.
2026 AWARDS
Supporting the next generation of Australian and New Zealand performing artists.
£85,500
The Trust, founded in memory of Sir Frank Tait and his four brothers, continues its proud mission to nurture the next generation of performers and strengthen cultural connections between Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Since its founding, the Trust has helped launch the international careers of more than 300 emerging artists, many now performing with leading orchestras, opera houses, ballet companies and performing arts organisations around the world.
SCHOLARSHIPS & PARTNER AWARDS
Major Awards
Daniel Shearer
Cello · QLD
Sinfonia Smith Square
Supported by The Tait Memorial Trust and Dr Alastair Jackson AM
Jack Doyle
Countertenor · New Zealand
Royal College of Music
Supported by The Tait Memorial Trust
Eden Shifroni
Soprano · NSW
Royal College of Music Opera School
Funded by Dr Alastair Jackson AM
Bella Marslen
Soprano · WA
Royal College of Music Opera School
JOHN FROST MUSICAL THEATRE AWARD
Recipient to be announced
Recipient to be announced
Musical Theatre
Associated Studios
Supported by John Frost AM
MEET SOME OF THE 2026 AWARDEES
Watch the artists
DONOR-SUPPORTED AWARDS
Eugénie White Awards
Eugénie White, whose continuing support makes a significant
difference to young Australian musicians pursuing their training
and careers in the United Kingdom.
2026 MUSIC AWARDS
Tait Music Award Recipients
Samuel Dekroon
Flute · NSW · Royal College of Music
Funded by the Thornton Foundation
Fleuranne Brockway
Mezzo-soprano · WA · Private Studies
Frank & Viola Tait Award
Reuben Tsang
Piano · QLD · Royal Northern College of Music
Funded by the Thornton Foundation
Noah Rudd
Oboe · NZ · Private Study
James Herbert
Piano / Répétiteur · VIC · National Opera Studio
Megan Yang
Violin · NSW · Private Study
Melissa Gregory
Mezzo-soprano · QLD · Private Studies
Leo French
Tenor · SA · Royal Academy of Music
Julian Baring Award
2026 BALLET & DANCE AWARDS
Leanne Benjamin Award Recipients
Ballet · New Zealand · The Royal Ballet School
Ballet · NSW · The Royal Ballet School
Ballet · NSW · Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Ballet · NZ · The Royal Ballet School
Richard Bonynge Award
Ballet · VIC · The Royal Ballet School
Ballet · NSW · The Royal Ballet School
Ballet · QLD · English National Ballet School
Supported by The Linbury Trust
Ballet · QLD · English National Ballet School
Supported by The Linbury Trust
Ballet · WA · English National Ballet School
Supported by The Linbury Trust
Ballet & Contemporary Dance · NZ · Rambert School of Ballet & Contemporary Dance
Supported by The Linbury Trust
Ballet · NSW · Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Supported by The Linbury Trust