Dance Competition
9 June – 14 June 2026
Hamilton Performing Arts Centre
Dance Categories:
- Classical
- Theatrical
- Ballet
- Contemporary
- Jazz
- Lyrical
- Neo Classical
- Tap
- Hip Hop
- Demi Character
- Song and Dance
- Solos, Duos and Trios
- Troupes
Competition Documents:
Special Awards:
The following special awards are available for the 2026 Hamilton Eisteddfod Dance Competition. Conditions apply.
Australian Ballet Summer School Scholarship: 12 Years and Under
Granting the recipient a place at the 2027 Australian Ballet Summer School.
Sponsored by Angela Magill and The Hamilton Eisteddfod
Stagelit Studios Encouragement Award: Junior
One award of $150, for a junior dance student.
Donated by Stagelit Studios
Lions Club Encouragement Award
Two awards of $250 each.
Donated by Lions Club of Hamilton
Australian Ballet Summer School Scholarship: 13 Years and Over
Granting the recipient a place at the 2027 Australian Ballet Summer School.
Sponsored by Gwen & Edna Jones Foundation and The Hamilton Eisteddfod
Stagelit Studios Encouragement Award: Senior
One award of $150, for a senior dance student.
Donated by Stagelit Studios
Aggregate Awards
Pamela Coates Perpetual Trophy: 6 Years and Under 8
Hamilton Eisteddfod Perpetual Trophy: 8 Years and Under 10
Hamilton Eisteddfod Perpetual Trophy: 10 Years and Under 12
Magill Family Perpetual Trophy: 12 Years and Under 14
Dawn Armour Perpetual Trophy: 14 Years and Under 16
Hamilton Eisteddfod Perpetual Trophy: Open 16 Years and Over
Championship Awards
12 Years and Under Junior Jazz Championship
12 Years and Under Junior Classical Scholarship
Open Jazz Championship
Open Tap Championship
Hamilton Eisteddfod Classical Ballet Scholarship: 13 Years and Over
2026 Dance Adjudicator:
Matt Landel
Matt Landel is an experienced International and National Finalist judge. He started his training at his mother’s dance school, Debbie Landel’s Dance Classique, on the Gold Coast in Queensland. There, he completed all of his classical Royal Academy of Dance exams and obtained his A.R.A.D. London qualification. Matt also attended Dianne Talbot Studios, where he studied Musical Theatre, Tap, Hip-Hop, Commercial, Jazz, and Contemporary dance, before moving to Melbourne to attend The Australian Ballet School, where he completed his Diploma of Dance.
Matt travelled to America to play the principal role of Mr. Mistoffelees in CATS the Musical on board Royal Caribbean’s ‘Oasis of the Seas’ cruise ship. He continued performing in both CATS and a Cirque du Soleil inspired show, Come Fly with Me, for the next two and a half years. Later, Matt relocated to London, where he continued training across all genres of dance and vocals, under the guidance of leading West End coaches.
Since returning to Australia, Matt has judged numerous competitions, both domestic and internationally. Some of his personal highlights include judging for ‘Evolution Dance Competition’, an opportunity that has taken him to Singapore and New Zealand and across Australia. He has also worked with the ‘Australian Teachers of Dance International’ Dance Awards, held in Brisbane, and their International Dance Competition held in Bangkok, Thailand.
Matt has delivered masterclasses across Australia, the USA and the UK, covering a wide range of dance genres.
What Matt enjoys most about judging is the opportunity to share his international performance experience and life lessons, while offering constructive feedback and ideas to support the growth and development of the next generation of performers.
