Steven McRae is the first ever recipient of two different awards from The Australia Foundation, receiving the Young Australian Achiever award in 2014.

McRae’s passion for dance began with jazz and tap classes at the age of seven. At age fourteen, he performed with Tap Dogs at the opening of the Sydney Olympics and has represented Australia on the world stage ever since. He had a meteoric rise, winning the Prix de Lausanne to attend the Royal Ballet School on a scholarship in 2003. He graduated into The Royal Ballet in 2004 and was promoted to First Artist in 2005, Soloist in 2006, First Soloist in 2008 and Principal in 2009.

Since securing Principal dancer in 2009 – McRae has overcome huge set-backs. He has twice recovered from torn Achilles tendons, his second return was documented in the feature film Dancing Back to the Light. The compelling documentary provides a stark window into the mental and physical challenges of elite dance, as well as shining a light on the scientific support network that combines excellent in art, sport, science and medicine to prolong and extend dancers’ careers.

McRae is passionate about a dual role in encouraging and developing the next generations of dancers and passing on the lessons he has learned - he is an Ambassador for London Children’s Ballet, Podium Analytics and The Royal Ballet Schools Affiliate Teacher Programs as well as being a Trustee on the Board of Northern Ballet. He is a jury member for the Prix de Lausanne 2026 and is the author of Anything is Possible with Ballet, which gives young dancers and parents an illustrated insight into the world of dance.