Jean-Christophe Maillot, the long-serving director of choreography at the Ballets of Monte-Carlo, has been honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Prix de Lausanne. He will receive the prize in person on February 3.
Jean-Christophe Maillot has a long common history with the prestigious competition, having won the prize as a young dancer in 1977 and serving on the jury in 1986, 1988, 1989, and 1992. He was president of the jury in 1994, 1997, 2000, and 2012.
In an interview with the organisation, Maillot commented that in today’s world of dance, the Prix de Lausanne is “unique”. “This is the only ballet competition I agree to participate in as a jury member because, more importantly than the dancer’s performance, it is the attention paid to their future career which makes this competition so exceptional.
“This competition continues to reflect the extraordinary artistic and human qualities of its founders Elvire and Philippe Braunschweig, and Rosella Hightower: three very important figures in my career, Maillot said.
Other dancers from the Ballets of Monte-Carlo who have won the prize, now in its 46th year, are Bernice Coppieters, Asier Uriagereka, Jeroen Verbruggen, Le Wang and Michael Grunecker. The Lausanne Prize is awarded to dancers aged between 14 and 19.
The Prize is supported by a total of 70 academies of dance, including the Ballets of Monte-Carlo and the Princess Grace Academy.