A springboard to success
Organized at the end of the competition week, the Networking Forum gives the candidates who are not selected for the Finals an opportunity to be seen by schools and companies Directors from all around the world.
Networking Forum ©RodrigoBuas
Following an audition class, interviews are organized with Directors of the Prix de Lausanne partner schools and companies wishing to recruit one or more candidates. Interviews with Finalists who do not receive a prize are also arranged after the award ceremony.
In 2021, the Networking Forum was exceptionally held entirely online with our new platform (developed by Akson). The communications is done via e-mail between partners and candidates, following the competition.
In 2021, 38 partner schools and companies attended this Online Networking Forum. Around 77 candidates participated and 239 offers were made.
| Year |
Number of offers taken up |
| 2005 |
14 |
| 2006 |
7 |
| 2007 |
12 |
| 2008 |
14 |
| 2009 |
22 |
| 2010 |
31 |
| 2011 |
17 |
| 2012 |
27 |
| 2013 |
23 |
| 2014 |
19 |
| 2015 |
18 |
| 2016 |
30 |
| 2017 |
42 |
| 2018 |
41 |
| 2019 |
34 |
| 2020 |
21 |
Networking Forum ©RodrigoBuas
Like in previous years, the candidates have the opportunity to take part in the Networking Forum, but this year through a new online app. The representatives of the Partner Schools and Companies will directly get in touch with the candidates and make them offers. Thanks to this opportunity, the Prix de Lausanne competition pursues its mission in providing all participants with unique chances.
The following schools and companies are participating in the online Networking Forum 2021:
- Académie Princesse Grace
- Academy of Dance, Mannheim
- Accademia Teatro all Scala
- American Ballet Theatre, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
- American Ballet Theatre Studio Company
- Australian Ballet School
- Ballet Academy – University of Music and Performing Arts Munich
- Ballettschule Theater Basel
- Boston Ballet School
- Canada’s National Ballet School
- Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School
- Dutch National Ballet Academy
- English National Ballet
- English National Ballet School
- Hong Kong Ballet
- Houston Ballet Academy
- Houston Ballet II
- Hungarian Dance University (formerly Hungarian Dance Academy)
- John Cranko School
- Norwegian National Ballet
- Oslo National Academy of the Arts
- Palucca University of Dance Dresden
- Perm State Ballet School
- Queensland Ballet Academy
- Queensland Ballet
- Rosella Hightower National Center of Higher Education in Dance
- Royal Ballet School of Antwerp
- Royal Swedish Ballet
- Royal Swedish Ballet School
- San Francisco ballet School
- School of American Ballet
- School of the Hamburg Ballet John Neumeier
- The Australian Ballet School
- The Royal Ballet School
- Tulsa Ballet
- University of North Carolina School of the Arts
- Vaganova Ballet Academy
- Zurich Dance Academy
We came to Lausanne for the 2009 event and we had a spectacular time with all the family, and our daughter, Claudia Dean had a memorable experience too! Claudia did not go through to the final selection, however she received 7 offers to attend companies/schools from all over the world, including the Royal Ballet School in London.
In the Networking class for the non-finalist candidates of the Prix de Lausanne, Mr David Peden representing the Royal Ballet School invited Claudia to attend the school. The Director of the RBS, Ms. Gailene Stock AM, later confirmed Claudia’s commencement after winning the Alana Haines Australasian Supreme Award and scholarship to the school from September 2009, and Claudia has never looked back. From her dance beginnings with Carolyn Gilby Dance Centre, a Brisbane ballet school and Prudence Bowen’s Atelier on the Gold Coast to the Royal Ballet School are quite big steps. Claudia is also the recipient of the Genee International’s 2009 Gold Medal and Audience Choice Award.
Networking Forum ©RodrigoBuas
Within 2 months of starting 1st year at the Royal Ballet School, Claudia was promoted to 2nd year and successfully completed this in July 2010 culminating with her first Grand Defile performance at the Royal Opera House. Claudia commenced 3rd year (Graduating year) in September 2010, and by December, was the first Royal Ballet School graduate to receive contract offers from 3 world renowned companies, including the Royal Ballet company which she has accepted. Her contract started in August 2011.
I simply wanted to share this with you and say many many thanks to the Prix de Lausanne for giving Claudia the start she needed for her professional career. Our family is very appreciative of the opportunity provided by the Prix de Lausanne and we encourage other young aspiring dancers to support your event.
Denise Dean
