2016 Prize winners

44^th annual international competition for young dancers February 1^st to 6^th, 2016, at Beaulieu Theatre, in Lausanne.

The Curtain has Fallen on the 44^th Edition of Prix de Lausanne

Lausanne, February 6th, 2016. The Prix de Lausanne has yet again attracted young, promising dancers from all parts of the world. 67 of the 71 selected candidates finally participated in the 44^th edition, 20 of which were selected to compete in the finals on Saturday, February 6th. Amongst these finalists, 7 were awarded a scholarship allowing them to further their dance studies with one of the 66 prestigious Prix de Lausanne partner schools or companies.

For non-awarded candidates, the Prix de Lausanne has organized a “Networking Forum”, an audition giving them the opportunity to be chosen by representatives of partner schools and companies of the Prix. The Networking Forum, in addition to the experience candidates have gained, makes the competition worthwhile for all participants.

Over the course of the week, jury members observed the candidates performing their chosen classical and contemporary variations. The jury was made up of 9 internationally renowned dance professionals, chaired by Mr Julio Bocca, former Principal of American Ballet Theatre, New York and director of the Ballet Nacional Sodre, Uruguay.

1. The 7 Prix de Lausanne 2016 prize winners are:

126 Hang YU, 16 years old, China

307 Madison YOUNG, 17 years old, USA

412 Vincenzo DI PRIMO, 18 years old, Italy

206 Leroy MOKGATLE, 16 years old, South Africa

205 Junnosuke NAKAMURA, 16 years old, Japan

  211 Dingkai BAI, 16 years old, China

409 Seu Kim, 18 years old, South Korea

2. Contemporary dance prize

MINERVA KUNSTSTIFTUNG

314 Laura FERNANDEZ, 18 years old, Switzerland AND 412 Vincenzo DI PRIMO, 18 years old, Italy

3. Best Swiss Candidates

FONDATION EN FAVEUR DE L’ART CHOREGRAPHIQUE

314 Laura FERNANDEZ, 18 years old, Switzerland

4. Audience favourite

FONDATION EN FAVEUR DE L’ART CHOREGRAPHIQUE and ARTE CONCERT

206 Leroy MOKGATLE, 16 years old, South Africa

5. Prix Jeune Espoir

RUDOLF NUREYEV FOUNDATION

107 Danbi KIM, 15 years old, South Korea

During the finals, the audience enjoyed a performance by a former prizewinner, Diana Vishneva, Principal of the ballet Mariinsky of Saint-Petersburg. In addition, we had the pleasure to present a world-premiere dance performance by twelve dancers of the Junior Company of the Dutch National Ballet.

For the third consecutive year, the Prix offered daily conferences, the “Daily Dance Dialogues.” The series of talks featured ballet stars, Nikolai Tsiskaridze, Viviana Durante, Diana Vishneva and Marcelo Gomes. The Daily Dance Dialogues were an occasion for the public to engage in a discussion with dance professionals.

For the second consecutive year, the Prix de Lausanne presented a live stream of daily backstage events, the selections, and the finals in collaboration with Arte Concert, the online platform of the famous bilingual channel, and were presented by Katerina Novikova.

Notes to Editors:

The Prix de Lausanne is an international ballet competition that aims to provide a springboard for talented dancers. The Prix offers scholarships and apprenticeships with the world’s finest schools and companies. From the very beginning, a commitment to the health, education and well-being of young dancers has been fundamental to the Prix’s underlying philosophy.

Through its scholarships and apprenticeships, offered in partnership with the most eminent professional ballet schools and ballet companies around the world, the Prix de Lausanne provides a unique and invaluable stepping stone for young talent. Over the 44 years of its history, 403 dancers have benefited from the opportunities of the Prix on their way to a successful career in dance.

The competition takes place annually, during the last week of January or the first of February, at the Theatre de Beaulieu, in Lausanne, Switzerland. Each year, six to eight prize winners are offered one year scholarships from a choice of 33 Partner Schools or apprenticeships at a choice of 33 Partner Companies. Candidates who are not selected to take part in the finals participate in a Networking Forum, during which they meet many directors of Partner Schools and Companies. Since it has been established in 2005, 203 dancers have taken up places at schools and companies thanks to the Networking Forum.