Monaco dance students got talent!
This pas Saturday, February 3rd, 2018, an enthusiastic large audience attended the Prix de Lausanne Finals at the Théâtre de Beaulieu, and followed by hundreds of thousands balletomanes online. There were 8 young dancers awarded a scholarship allowing them to enter one of the 72 partner schools or companies of the Prix de Lausanne. Shale WAGMAN (N407) a teenager from Canada, student at the Princess Grace Academy won the top prize, as well as the Rudolf Nureyev Foundation Prize for artistry. Shale Wagman received a full contract at the prestigious English National Ballet. For the prestigious Princess Grace Academy in the Principality, it is getting to be the norm to have their students receive the top prize! Bravo to the talented students, infatigable teachers and caring staff for such a team effort that merit top results!
Non-awarded candidates took part in the Networking Forum that followed on Sunday, February 4, giving all competitors the opportunity to be chosen by Directors of the partner institutions. Among them was Minji NAM (313) from Korea, student of the Princess Grace Academy who was hired by the Stuttgart Ballet.
Year after year the Prix de Lausanne seduces young and promising dancers from all over the world, with 74 out of the 78 selected candidates, finally participating in this year’s 46th edition of the arduous competition, with only 21 candidates chosen during the Selections for a place to compete in the Finals.
During the week, jury members composed of internationally renowned professionals, observed the candidates performing their classical and contemporary variations, selecting the 8 most promising talents. The 8 finalists were awarded a scholarship that provides them with the unique opportunity to choose among the 72 prestigious partner schools and companies of the Prix de Lausanne. This year, the Jury was presided by Ted Brandsen, Artistic Director of the HET National Ballet.
45 years discovering and promoting young dancers
Created in 1973, the Prix de Lausanne is an annual international competition for young dancers aged 14.6 to 19. Its goal is to discover, promote and support the finest talents.
More than 70 of the world’s most prestigious dance schools and companies, such as the Royal Ballet in London, the Hamburg Ballet School (John Neumeier), the Ballet Nacional Sodre in Montevideo, the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, the Hong Kong Ballet, the San Francisco Ballet School and the Australian Ballet, are associated with the Prix de Lausanne and support its activities.
One of a kind, the Prix de Lausanne represents – for more than 45 years – an exceptional experience for a yearly selected group of youthful talents to nurture their skills and step towards a professional career. This illustrious competition is open to dance professionals who can observe and establish contacts with the candidates, thereby transforming Lausanne into the world’s capital for young dancers during the week of the competition.
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Monaco Reporter 