A Prix de Lausanne success story

From the Summer Intensive to the Prix de Lausanne Stage

Dragos Gramada‘s journey is one of the most powerful testaments to what focused, intentional preparation can achieve.

In the summer of 2025, Dragos joined our Summer Intensive – International Preselection, and the week of dedicated training and artistic refinement he experienced in our studios led him to something remarkable: an official selection to compete at the Prix de Lausanne 2026.

That foundation gave him everything he needed to step onto the unique stage of the Prix de Lausanne.

And he didn’t just show up — he delivered. Dragos navigated the full competition week and emerged as an official Prize Winner, a title that speaks to both his talent and his tenacity.

His story is a reminder that the right environment, at the right moment, can change everything.

The Prix de Lausanne is a year-round ecosystem of events, community, and launchpads for young dancers — and it all starts somewhere.

Whether your goal is a world-class stage, a prestigious scholarship, or simply the chance to push yourself further than you ever have before — your story starts here, in our studios.

Just like Dragos, you could be our next success story!

Registration for the upcoming Summer Intensive will be open from 15 March to 15 April 2026. We can’t wait to see what you’re made of.

🎤 We asked Dragos to look back on his journey — and his answers say it all.

1. When you arrived at the Summer Intensive, did you imagine it could lead you all the way to the Prix de Lausanne stage — and what do you remember most about that week?

Dragos: “To be honest, I didn’t really think that far ahead. My main goal was simply to learn as much as possible from amazing teachers and to be in a studio with dancers from all over the world who are just as dedicated as I am. It created a really nice atmosphere, everyone was supportive of each other, and it really pushes you to work harder every day without the judgmental side that ballet can sometimes have.“

2. What did the training and the people around you during the Summer Intensive give you that you carried into the competition — technically, artistically, or even mentally?

Dragos: “Doing the Summer Intensive at the Prix de Lausanne helped me a lot in terms of awareness and discipline. We had workshops about nutrition, how a balanced diet supports a dancer’s body, and also sessions about stress management. It helped me understand better how to take care of myself so that I can perform and train at my best.

Another thing I carried with me into the competition was being surrounded by dancers who are just as passionate. Both during the Intensive and later at the Prix, that environment really had an impact on my mindset, it pushes you to keep improving and reminds you how much ballet can bring out the joy in someone.”

3. If you could say one thing to a young dancer who is hesitating about signing up for the Summer Intensive, what would it be?

Dragos: “If a young dancer is hesitating, I would say just go for it. Opportunities like this don’t come very often, and even in a short time, you can learn a lot about yourself and your dancing. It pushes you to step out of your comfort zone and reminds you why you started dancing in the first place. I know it might seem like in just one week you won’t be able to learn that much, but you’d be surprised by how much you can actually learn in that time, it’s kind of crazy.”

4. Holding the title of Prix de Lausanne Prize Winner — how does that change the way you see yourself as a dancer, and what are you dreaming of next?

Dragos: “Being a Prize Winner at the Prix de Lausanne is, of course, a huge honor, and I’m very grateful for the opportunities that come with it. At the same time, I see it more as the beginning of the journey rather than the final goal. I’m excited to start carving my own path from here. It motivates me to keep working and learning to allow me to become the artist I envision myself to be.
Looking ahead, my dream is to continue growing in a professional company and to enjoy and adapt to a wide variety of repertoire.”

Thank you Dragos — your words are an inspiration to every young dancer out there. The next chapter of someone else’s story is about to begin. Will it be yours?