Celebrating Samantha Carney – New Patron of GradPro

We’re thrilled to announce that our Managing Director, Samantha Carney, has been appointed as a Patron of GradPro.

This wonderful recognition reflects Samantha’s enduring passion for dance and her support of Julie in helping bring the GradPro initiative to life in 2021. Alongside the inspiring Julie Bowers and Brandon Lawrence - Principal Dancer at Zurich Ballet -Samantha was part of the founding team who wanted to offer a new way to support dance graduates as they take their first professional steps.

GradPro has become  internationally recognised as a leading event for graduate dancers, and Sam has been delighted to continue supporting its growth. We are proud to sponsor the GradPro Final with a special Dansez award and also gifting every finalist with beautiful, high-performance Dansez dancewear to help them feel their very best on stage.

Sams appointment as Patron is a celebration of everything she stands for: quality, innovation, and unwavering dedication to the dance world. We couldn’t be prouder.

Many congratulations to the winners of GradPro 2025.

Yoli Meurisse, the overall winner of GradPro 2025 and recipient of the Gail Monahan Award and who receives a week company placement at Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Ada Campagnola, who was honoured with the Dansez Award and also a weeks placement with New Adventures.

Alfie Lee Hall winner of the Ballet Circle Award and who also received a weeks company placement at Ballet Zurich

Brianna Skehan winner of the Wendy Ellis Award and who also received a weeks placement with Norwegian Ballet in Oslo

Maya Kirk, winner of the Louise Hudson Award who received a weeks company placement at Sarasota Ballet

We wish them and all the other winners the very best in their future careers.