Three dancers from Monaco’s Princess Grace Academy have been awarded at the prestigious Prix de Lausanne.
A large and enthusiastic audience attended the prestigious 52nd edition of the Prix de Lausanne Finals at the Theatre de Beaulieu on the weekend, while hundreds of thousands of ballet lovers followed online.
Created in 1973, the Prix de Lausanne (PLD) is an annual international competition for young dancers to discover, promote, and support the finest talents. One of a kind, the PLD has represented for half a century an exceptional experience for young dancers to nurture their skills and step towards a professional career. This renowned global dance event is open to 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.
To participate in the competition week in Lausanne, candidates must prepare two solos, one classical variation and one contemporary variation, from a list provided for both girls and boys. The Prix de Lausanne is more than just a competition: it’s also a week of training for the candidates. They attend classes with renowned teachers and rehearse under the direction of great dancers and teachers who help them work out how to interpret the roles.
This year, 425 applicants (333 girls and 92 boys) from 43 countries sent their videos to be reviewed by a jury consisting of nine dance professionals who had gathered in Lausanne the previous weekend. Jury members are either linked with the PDL partner schools and companies, are themselves PDL prize winners, or renowned figures from the dance world.
Evaluation of the candidates’ potential
Throughout the competition, the jury evaluated a candidate’s potential as a ballet dancer by considering: artistry, physical suitability, courage and individuality; an imaginative and sensitive response to the music; a clear grasp of communicating differing movement dynamics; and technical facility, control, and coordination.While advanced technical skills are considered, jurors’ primary focus is on the candidate’s potential to succeed as a professional ballet dancer. Each jury member gives one mark between one and nine (nine being the highest) for each round, with results announced during the Awards Ceremony on Saturday 3rd February.
Of the 88 initially selected candidates, 86 (42 girls and 44 boys), representing 18 nationalities, participated in the 2024 edition of the Prix de Lausanne, and 20 became finalists. At the end of the finals competition, the jury presided over by Dame Darcey Bussell, President of the Royal Academy of Dance and PDL 1986 Prize Winner, selected nine winners. Thanks to their scholarships, these nine promising dancers can join one of the prestigious Partner Schools and Companies of the Prix de Lausanne.
The students at the Academy have talent!
Three gifted students from the reputable Princess Grace Academy were among the nine prize winners of the 20 finalists at the prestigious Prix de Lausanne (PDL). They are Paloma Livellara Vidart from Argentina, Martinho Lima Santos from Portugal, and Juliann Fedele Malard from France. They received a total of six Prizes.
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Photo credit: Gregory Batardon