Two Australians have made it to the Finals of the Prix de Lausanne
After 4 days of intensive classes, 20 candidates have qualified for the finals of the 45th annual Prix de Lausanne ballet competition.
The 20 selected candidates are from 9 different countries and the most represented are Japan with 4 candidates, and Brazil, Italy and South Korea each with 3 candidates.
Nine talented Australian ballet dancers have competed this week in Switzerland, with Jessi Seymour and Joshua Jack Price selected in the top 20 finalists. Jessi (15) trains at Alegria School of Ballet and Joshua (16) at the Amanda Bollinger Dance Academy.
Since the beginning of the week, 66 candidates from all over the world have attended daily classes, coaching, and rehearsals with prestigious professionals in the field. Carefully observed by jury members, the candidates have all had one goal in mind: to perform their classical and contemporary variations on stage for a live audience at the Beaulieu Theatre.
Their potential was not only assessed by considering their technical facility, but also their ability to give an imaginative and sensitive response to the music. The candidates have had to master the traditional classical repertoire as well as the contemporary creations of John Neumeier, our main guest choreographer for the 45th edition.
This year, the Director of the Royal Ballet, Kevin O’Hare, is the president of the nine jury member panel. As internationally-renowned dance professionals, they selected the 20 most promising talents who outdone themselves the most.
Eight of the finalists will receive one of the scholarships/apprenticeships, for which the Prix de Lausanne is so well-known for. The prize winners receive the unique opportunity to choose among the most prominent schools and companies that they would like to attend.
Finals will take place on Saturday 4th, 2017 from 2.30pm. They can be watched live on the Prix de Lausanne website and on Arte Concert. The results will be announced around 7pm. (Switzerland time)
