Get Ready. Set. Go!

The prestigious Prix de Lausanne has started. Every time this year the ballet community comes together to celebrate the next generation of budding superstars. There is no question that winners of the Prix are destined to be principal dancers of major companies, but there is never enough the guarantee. And, those who didn’t win at the Prix, but make the top twelve, will most likely rise to fame as well. Just because you don’t win a ballet competition doesn’t mean you aren’t going to be principal dancers. Look at the Principals of NYCB or even Misty Copeland. Though Misty did win the Spotlight Awards in Los Angeles. Apparently not as prestigious, but it was a competition under her belt. So, what attracts kids to compete in Lausanne? Like every ballet competition, they are there for one reason, and one reason only. To get a scholarship to a top school, or to join the ranks of a company.

The Prix de Lausanne started in 1973 by Philippe Braunschweig, his wife Elvire, and Rosella Hightower. But in 1984, the Prix began to be something bigger than just a competition. It became a power house for schools to recruit talented young students. There are almost thirty schools tied to the Prix, and now the Prix serves as a platform for the world’s finest young talents. Of the ballet competitions, the Prix is arguably the hardest.

This year the Prix will have 74 candidates compete from today till February 7, 2016. They will be going through numerous classes in both ballet and contemporary in hopes to compete in the finals to win one of the Prix prizes. Now, last year we went over the racial profiles of the Prix, so I thought I would touch on that really fast. Of the 74 competing, South Korea has the most competing this year with 13 candidates. Originally, there were 21, so more than half made it into the competition. The United States entered with 27 but was narrowed down to 4; all women. Japan will have 12 candidates competing, with Australia also have 12 competing of the 37 that originally submitted for the competition. There are 3 candidates competing who are most likely favorited to win, two from Brazil and one from Argentina. These candidates were selected during the preselections.

May The Odds be Ever in your Favor… Winners of the prix 2015

Really, the odds are never in your favor

So, as we watch the live feed February 1-6, which you can find by clicking here, we wish all of the competing candidates, “Merde!”

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Photos from http://www.Prixdelausanne.org MULTIMEDIA PRESS, photo by Gregory Batardon, concept and photo montage by loupdesign.com
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