2025 RNZB Foundation Scholar
The Royal New Zealand Ballet Foundation is delighted to welcome Hilary An-Roddie as the 2025 RNZB Foundation Scholar. The scholarship, made possible through the generous support from an anonymous donor, supports emerging Kiwi talent at the Royal New Zealand Ballet, fostering their journey to realise their full potential. It also expands the pathways for talented young New Zealanders to build professional dance careers right here in Aotearoa.
Hilary began her ballet journey at the Mount Eden Ballet Academy in Auckland before training at the New Zealand School of Dance, from which she graduated in 2024. Her early career already includes touring nationally with the Royal New Zealand Ballet during the acclaimed seasons of Swan Lake (2024) and Lightscapes (2023). Additionally, she was selected as a Creative Lab Student Choreographer for Assemblée Internationale 2023.
Her diverse performance repertoire includes Val Caniparoli’s Street Songs, Lew Christensen’s Vivaldi Concerto Grosso, and Jenna Gavin’s (S)even. While at the New Zealand School of Dance, Hilary also performed in Friends from Giselle, Mark Baldwin’s FrENZy from Ihi FrENZy, Christopher Hampson’s Roses from Cinderella, and Loughlan Prior’s Coloratura and Storm Surge.
Reflecting on the upcoming RNZB seasons, Hilary shared her excitement,
"I’m really looking forward to performing on stage with the company this year. I previously performed with them as a student at the New Zealand School of Dance during a secondment, so this will be an exciting new experience as part of the company. I’m also excited about working with different choreographers and exploring more dance styles, as the upcoming seasons showcase a lot of versatility."
When asked about her experiences as a secondment student with the RNZB, Hilary expressed gratitude for the valuable insights gained,
"My experiences were truly amazing. Both seasons I participated in were such a special opportunity and have shaped me into the dancer and person I am today. Dancing Serenade and Swan Lake with the company provided valuable insights. Developing stage stamina and presence is essential for a professional dancer, and having the chance to experience that as a student was an incredibly fortunate opportunity."
The Royal New Zealand Ballet Foundation congratulates Hilary An-Roddie and looks forward to following her promising dance career in 2025 and beyond.