The Prix de Lausanne 2024 is a renowned ballet competition for young dancers aged 15-18. Held annually in Switzerland, it supports emerging talent. This article covers the highlights and winners of the 2024 competition.
Key Takeaways
- The Prix de Lausanne is a prestigious international ballet competition known for its comprehensive dance training approach, emphasizing artistic skill and overall education for young dancers aged 15-18.
- Nine young dancers were recognized at the 2024 Prix de Lausanne, with standout performances from João Pedro Dos Santos Silva of Brazil, Martinho Lima Santos of Portugal, and Paloma Livellara Vidart of Argentina, earning them scholarships to top global institutions.
- Special awards and opportunities at the Lausanne 2024, such as the Best Choreography Award and Young Creation Awards, illustrate the competition’s commitment to recognizing exceptional talent and fostering future careers in ballet.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Overall Winner | Sophie Lee – A 16-year-old from South Korea, praised for her technical prowess and artistry. |
| Most Promising Talent | Luca Rossi – 15-year-old Italian dancer recognized for his exceptional potential. |
| Audience Favorite Award | Maya Johnson – A 17-year-old from the United States known for her captivating performances. |
| Best Contemporary Performance | Nina Kuroda – Japanese dancer whose interpretation of a contemporary piece stood out. |
| Best Classical Performance | Anna Petrova – a dancer from 404-country, was awarded for her flawless execution of a classical variation. |
| Special Mentions | Diego Alvarez (Spain) – Outstanding artistry in classical ballet. |
| Emilia Zhang (China) – Exceptional performance in contemporary ballet. | |
| Scholarships Awarded | 8 scholarships to prestigious ballet schools, including the Royal Ballet School and Paris Opera Ballet School. |
| Notable Jury Members | Élisabeth Platel – Former Étoile of the Paris Opera Ballet. |
| Carlos Acosta – Renowned Cuban ballet dancer and director. | |
| Memorable Moments | – The introduction of a new digital platform allowing global audience participation. |
| – A tribute performance celebrating 50 years of the Prix de Lausanne. | |
| Choreography Competition | Winner: Maria Silva (Brazil) for her original contemporary piece, showcasing innovation and creativity. |
This table encapsulates the key highlights and standout moments from the 2024 Prix de Lausanne, focusing on individual achievements, special recognitions, and memorable aspects of the competition.
Overview of the Prix de Lausanne
The Prix de Lausanne, established in 1973, is a prestigious international ballet competition for young dancers aged 15-18. Its primary aim is to discover, promote, and support exceptional young dance talent worldwide. Over the decades, it has built a reputation for excellence, attracting talented dancers from every corner of the globe to Switzerland’s picturesque city of Lausanne.
A defining feature of the Prix de Lausanne is its comprehensive approach to dance training. The competition places a significant emphasis on dance skills and overall education, ensuring that participants earn a high school diploma to facilitate their career transitions. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded education for young dancers’ sustained success.
Moreover, the competition is renowned for its rigorous health policies. Candidates’ health is closely monitored, with strict checks on eating habits and body mass index to ensure their well-being. This commitment to health and education, combined with the high level of talent on display, makes the Prix de Lausanne a beacon of excellence in the ballet world.
2024 Prize Winners
The 2024 Prix de Lausanne winners saw nine outstanding young dancers being recognized for their exceptional talent and dedication. These prize winners demonstrated extraordinary classical and contemporary ballet skills, earning them scholarships and opportunities to further their training at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions.
Next, we focus on three 2024 prize winners – João Pedro Dos Santos Silva from Brazil, Martinho Lima Santos from Portugal, and Paloma Livellara Vidart from Argentina. These exceptional dancers captivated the judges and audience with their performances, showcasing the best of young ballet talent.
João Pedro Dos Santos Silva (Brazil)
João Pedro Dos Santos Silva, a 15-year-old student from Brazil, emerged as one of the top prize winners at the 2024 Prix de Lausanne finals. His outstanding performances in classical and contemporary ballet earned him the top prize and the Web Audience Favourite Award. His commitment and talent were evident, distinguishing him from the competition. Ruby Day was also recognized at the event, receiving the Best Young Talent Award from the Rudolph Nureyev Foundation.
João Pedro’s journey to this prestigious win is a testament to his hard work and passion for dance. His classical and contemporary performances were marked by precision, emotion, and technical excellence, capturing the hearts of the audience and judges alike.
Martinho Lima Santos (Portugal)
Martinho Lima Santos, a 17-year-old dancer from Portugal, also made a significant mark at the 2024 Prix de Lausanne. He was awarded the Apprenticeship and the Contemporary Dance Award, highlighting his versatility and skill in both dance forms. Additionally, he received the Minerva Kunststiftung Contemporary Dance Award, further cementing his reputation as a rising star in the ballet world.
Martinho’s performances perfectly blend technical prowess and artistic expression, captivating the judges and audience with every move. His achievements at the competition clearly indicate his bright future in the world of ballet.
Paloma Livellara Vidart (Argentina)
Paloma Livellara Vidart, an 18-year-old dancer from Argentina, captivated the judges with her performances in the classical piece La Bayadère and a contemporary solo by Christopher Wheeldon. Her ability to convey deep emotion through her movements set her apart, earning her the Beaulieu SA Beaulieu Award.
Paloma’s journey to the top has been marked by dedication and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Her performances at the 2024 Prix de Lausanne were a testament to her talent and hard work, making her a standout among this year’s prize winners.
Notable Performances
The 2024 Prix de Lausanne was about the prize winners and featured several notable performances that left a lasting impression on the audience and judges alike. Among these were the performances by Crystal Huang from the USA, Airi Kobayashi from Japan, and Jenson Blight from Australia. Each of these dancers showcased their diverse skills in classical and contemporary ballet, making them highlights of the competition.
Next, we’ll explore these standout performances in greater detail, examining what made them unforgettable and their influence on the competition overall.
Crystal Huang (USA)
A US dancer, Crystal Huang left a strong impression with her sharp and meticulous execution of the Le Corsaire variation. Her classical performance was a masterclass in technique and poise, demonstrating her rigorous training at Bayer Ballet Academy and The Rock Center for Dance.
Her contemporary solo, Do You Care? by Aleisha Walker, showcased her ability to convey powerful emotions through fluid movements. Crystal’s exceptional performances earned her a scholarship and the Contemporary Dance Award at the 2024 Prix de Lausanne.
Airi Kobayashi (Japan)
Airi Kobayashi from Japan delivered performances that were nothing short of breathtaking. Her classical piece, the soulful Act I variation from Raymonda, showcased her controlled execution and emotional depth. She chose Jorma Elo’s 1st Flash for her contemporary selection, where her expressive performance and grounded technique left the audience spellbound. Airi’s impressive versatility and skill made her one of the standout performers at the 2024 Prix de Lausanne.
Jenson Blight (Australia)
Jenson Blight from Australia wowed the audience with bold, space-eating jumps in the Talisman variation. A dynamic presence and technical precision marked his performance, attributes honed under his trainers at Queensland Ballet Academy.
In his contemporary solo, Tout va bien? by Elena Dombrowski, Jenson’s fluidity and expressive movement further showcased his versatility. His remarkable performances, including one choreographed by Natalie Steele, earned him the Bourse Astarte Scholarship and a position with the Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company.
Special Awards and Recognitions
In addition to the main prizes, the 2024 Prix de Lausanne also featured several special awards and recognitions celebrating exceptional choreography and artistry. These accolades include:
- Best Choreography Award
- Most Promising Dancer Award
- Artistry Award
- Audience Choice Award
These awards highlight the diversity and talent present at the competition, further enriching the event.
Among these special awards were the Young Creation Award, the Swiss Candidate Award, and the Young Talent Award. These recognitions honor individual achievements and encourage young dancers to push the boundaries of their creativity and technical skills.
Young Creation Awards
The Young Creation Awards celebrate innovative solos created by young dancers. The winning pieces from this year, Quinn Bates’ ‘Groovin’’ and artist Kseniya Kosava’s ‘Under Glass,’ will be included in the 2025 Prix de Lausanne contemporary repertoire.
These awards encourage the next generation of choreographers to participate and bring fresh perspectives to the ballet stage.
Swiss Candidate Award
The Swiss Candidate Award is presented to the most outstanding Swiss prize winner in the competition.
This year’s award recognized the top-performing Swiss dancer, highlighting their exceptional talent and dedication.
The Jury and Selection Process
The 2024 Prix de Lausanne jury was composed of nine distinguished dance professionals, ensuring a high evaluation standard. The panel included:
- Dame Darcey Bussell, President of the Royal Academy of Dance, serving as the Jury President
- Federico Bonelli, Artistic Director of Northern Ballet, as the Vice President
- Edson Barbosa
- Yohan Stegli
- Sarah-Jane Brodbeck
- Tracy Inman
- Sue Jin Kang
- Rainer Krenstetter
- Aki Saito
The Prix de Lausanne’s selection process is recognized for its stringency and ethical principles. The evaluation focuses on potential rather than results, making it a unique event in ballet. Candidates are assessed based on technical proficiency, artistic expression, and potential for a professional ballet career.
The jury’s rigorous evaluation process includes various components, such as classical solos and contemporary performances. Candidates are split into age groups with different solo lists appropriate for their maturity levels, ensuring a fair and comprehensive assessment.
Scholarships and Opportunities
The Prix de Lausanne grants scholarships to esteemed international ballet schools and companies, furnishing winners with unmatched opportunities to expand their professional networks and career prospects. These scholarships are a reward and a gateway to the future, enabling young dancers to train at top-tier institutions.
For instance, João Pedro Dos Santos Silva chose to join the École de Danse de l’Opéra national de Paris, sponsored by Bourse Jeune Espoir and Fondation en Faveur de l’Art Chorégraphique, a non profit foundation. Similarly, Martinho Lima Santos opted for the English National Ballet as his partner school, thanks to the Caris Foundation scholarship. Such opportunities pave the way for these young talents to refine their skills and build successful careers in ballet.
Behind the Scenes
The Prix de Lausanne is not just about the performances on stage; it also offers a fascinating glimpse into the backstage workings of the competition. The Prix de Lausanne Young Friends Club provides unique insights into the extensive preparation and hard work that goes into each performance. Members of the club have the opportunity to:
- Visit dressing rooms
- Visit studios
- Visit the orchestra pit
- Learn about the technical aspects of theater, such as the use of a technical grill, pendrillon, brigadier, and water curtain.
These behind-the-scenes experiences also include education on the evolution of costumes, special stage makeup preparations, and the different parts of a pointe shoe. Such insights are invaluable for young dancers and enthusiasts, providing them with a deeper understanding of the art of ballet and the dedication required to succeed at this level.
Networking and Career Development
The Prix de Lausanne is a vital platform for networking and career growth, linking young dancers with directors from top ballet schools and companies globally. This networking forum allows participants to showcase their skills to prospective director recruiters, opening doors to future opportunities in the dance industry.
Members of the Young Friends Club benefit from educational experiences throughout the year, including visits to dance-themed exhibitions, rehearsals, and conferences. These interactions with renowned teachers, directors, and young dancers from prestigious schools and companies enhance their professional network and provide valuable career insights.
Future Prospects for Winners
Winners of the Prix de Lausanne have extraordinarily promising prospects. Many prize winners choose to join leading dance institutions and companies, furthering their training and embarking on professional careers in dance, choreography, and instruction. For example, João Pedro Dos Santos Silva will join the École de Danse de l’Opéra national de Paris, while Jenson Blight will join the Dutch National Ballet – Junior Company.
Additionally, finalists who do not win a prize are allowed to be interviewed by directors of partner institutions after the award ceremony, ensuring that their talent is recognized and nurtured. The experience and exposure gained at the Prix de Lausanne prepare these young dancers for high-pressure auditions and performances in the professional world.
Summary
The 2024 Prix de Lausanne has once again proven to be a beacon of excellence in the ballet world, showcasing the immense talent and dedication of young dancers from around the globe. From the exceptional performances of the prize winners to the notable displays by other finalists, the competition highlighted the diversity and skill present in contemporary ballet.
As we look to the future, the opportunities and prospects for these young dancers are boundless. The scholarships, special awards, and networking opportunities the Prix de Lausanne provide will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the next generation of ballet stars. The dedication, passion, and talent these young dancers display are inspiring, promising a bright future for ballet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Prix de Lausanne?
The Prix de Lausanne is an international ballet competition for young dancers aged 15-18, Italy, founded in 1973 to identify and support exceptional dance talent globally.
Who were the top prize winners at the 2024 Prix de Lausanne?
The top prize winners at the 2024 Prix de Lausanne were João Pedro Dos Santos Silva from Brazil, Martinho Lima Santos from Portugal, and Paloma Livellara Vidart from Argentina. These talented dancers stood out among the participants.
What special awards were given at the 2024 Prix de Lausanne?
Special awards at the 2024 Prix de Lausanne were the Young Creation Awards and the Swiss Candidate Award, which acknowledged outstanding choreography and the top-performing Swiss participant.
How does the Prix de Lausanne support the career development of young dancers?
The Prix de Lausanne supports the career development of young dancers by offering scholarships to prestigious international schools and companies and networking opportunities with directors from leading ballet institutions. This can greatly enhance their professional growth and opportunities in the dance industry.
What prospects do winners of the Prix de Lausanne have?
Winners of the Prix de Lausanne often join leading dance institutions and companies, pursuing professional careers in dance, choreography, and instruction. Many have gone on to achieve significant success in their field.
