The Tenth International Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize

The legendary Erik Bruhn left his mark on the world of modern ballet in many ways – primarily as a great dancer, but also as an inspiring teacher and an Artistic Director, a position he occupied with The National Ballet of Canada from 1983 until his death in 1986.

One of his greatest legacies is The Erik Bruhn Prize, which he endowed to award to two young dancers, one male and one female, who, in his words, “reflect such technical ability, artistic achievement and dedication as I endeavoured to bring to dance.” In 2009, a Choreographic Prize was added to the event to honour the best newly commissioned dance piece.

Since the first competition in 1988, The Erik Bruhn Prize has featured superb young dancers from The Royal Danish Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, The Royal Ballet (UK) and The National Ballet of Canada. The dancers are between the ages of 18 and 23 and are selected by their respective artistic directors. They perform in a classical pas de deux and variations and a contemporary pas de deux or solo. The entire evening is a rare chance to see the future of ballet all on one stage.

The Tenth International Competition for the Erik Bruhn Prize is presented by John and Claudine Bailey.

Reviews

“this glittering prize… giv[es] audiences a peek at future world-class performers.” Toronto Life 

“features the best young dancers from several major companies and the standards are high” Pointe Magazine 

“The Erik Bruhn Prize is a showcase of young talent from some of the most respected ballet companies in the world” DanceView Times 

“The annual competition is open to the most promising young dancers and choreographers” Toronto Sun 

Ballet Talks

The National Ballet invites you to attend the Erik Bruhn Prize Competition Ballet Talk 45 minutes before the show.

Ballet Talks are engaging and offer interesting insights on the performance you are about to see. The talks are free to all ticket holders and take place in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre in the City Room of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

Principal Dancer Guillaume Côté will host the Ballet Talk on Wednesday, November 28 at 6:45. The following Artistic Directors will participate in the discussion:

Kevin O'Hare (Royal Ballet)
Kevin McKenzie (American Ballet Theatre)
Nikolaj Hubbe (Royal Danish Ballet)
John Neumeier (Hamburg Ballet)
Karen Kain (National Ballet)

Past Winners

Many past competitors and winners of The Erik Bruhn Prize have gone on to become Principal Dancers and enjoy international careers. Here is a list of past winners and where they are now.

1988
Rose Gad, The Royal Danish Ballet
> retired as Principal Dancer with The Royal Danish Ballet in 2008 and is currently a Teacher at The Royal Danish Ballet School
Errol Pickford, The Royal Ballet
> retired as Principal Dancer with West Australian Ballet in 2003 and is currently the Head of Graduate Placement & International Links at the Elmhurst School for Dance in Edgbaston, Birmingham

1989
Silja Schandorff, The Royal Danish Ballet
> retired as Principal Dancer with The Royal Danish Ballet in 2009 and is currently Principal Ballet Mistress and Associate Artistic Director at The Royal Danish Ballet
Stephen Legate, The National Ballet of Canada
> retired as Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet in 2006 and is currently a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in the treatment of professional dancers

1993
Julie Kent, American Ballet Theatre
> currently Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre
Johan Kobborg, The Royal Danish Ballet
> currently Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet

1995
Jaimie Tapper, The National Ballet of Canada
> retired as Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet in 2006 and currently works in the field of maternal health
Johan Persson, The National Ballet of Canada
> retired as Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet in 2002 and is currently an accomplished photographer specializing in portraiture and photography for live dance and theatre

1999
Vanessa Zahorian, San Francisco Ballet
> currently Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet
Jhe Russell, The National Ballet of Canada
> currently Dancer with Béjart Ballet Lausanne
Gennadi Nedvigin, San Francisco Ballet
> currently Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet

2002
Michele Wiles, American Ballet Theatre
> performed as Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre until 2011 and is now Co-Founder, Artistic Director and a Principal Dancer of Ballet Next in New York City
Friedemann Vogel, Stuttgart Ballet
> currently Principal Dancer with Stuttgart Ballet

2007
Tina Pereira, The National Ballet of Canada
> currently First Soloist with The National Ballet of Canada
Ulrik Birkkjær, The Royal Danish Ballet
> currently Principal Dancer with The Royal Danish Ballet

2009
Elena Lobsanova, The National Ballet of Canada
> currently First Soloist with The National Ballet of Canada
Cory Stearns, American Ballet Theatre
> currently Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre
Winner of the first Choreographic Prize
Matjash Mrozewski, The National Ballet of Canada

2011
Maria Baranova, The Hamburg Ballet
> currently Principal Dancer with the Finnish National Ballet
Joseph Gorak, American Ballet Theatre
> currently Corps de Ballet with American Ballet Theatre
Winner of the Choreographic Prize
Demis Volpi, Stuttgart Ballet