Miyako Yoshida

My life changed immeasurably after receiving the Prix de Lausanne, and the award has always meant a lot to me. This contest is a wonderful competition and a great opportunity for young dancers, so I am pleased and honoured to be able to assist in discovering dancers of the future.

Born and trained in Tokyo, Miyako Yoshida joined The Royal Ballet School in 1983 after winning the prestigious Prix de Lausanne. In 1984, she joined Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet (now Birmingham Royal Ballet) and was promoted to Principal in 1988. In 1995 she joined The Royal Ballet until 2010, since then she has enjoyed performing as a freelance dancer.

Her numerous awards include the Global Award in 1989. Best Dancer Award 1991 by popular vote in British dance specialist magazine ” Dance & Dancers”, as dancer of the year, the Arts Encouragement Prize for Artists of the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture, Japan 2001.

She also received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) from HRH Queen Elizabeth and the Purple Ribbon Medal for artistic developments, improvements and accomplishments from the Emperor of Japan, as well as the British Critics Association UK Best Dancer Award, all in 2007, the Mainichi Art Award in 2011 and DSC Award in 2012. She was recognized as a Person of Cultural Merit by the Japanese government in 2017 and appointed UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2004 and UNHCR Artist in 2012. She has joined the Prix de Lausanne three times as a judge since 2009. In 2018, Miyako Yoshida was appointed Artistic Consultant to the National Ballet of Japan At the Japan National Theatre.