by Katie Slattery | Mar 1, 2023 | Pointe+, Training
Let me open by saying that I admire you—choosing to enter a ballet competition must be daunting. I never had the opportunity myself, and in some ways, I am really relieved by that. My self-confidence was an issue when I was young, and I think I would have gone in with...
by Catja Christensen | Jun 7, 2022 | The Latest
The ninth Helsinki International Ballet Competition came to a close on Monday, June 6, with a celebratory gala and awards ceremony at the Finnish National Opera and Ballet. Sixty-two dancers representing 16 countries participated throughout the week of competitions,...
by Kyra Laubacher | May 29, 2022 | The Latest
Canceled twice during the pandemic, the ninth Helsinki International Ballet Competition is back. Held May 30–June 6, excitement is running high as this year’s competitors gear up for a week of intense training and performances. Of the 68 international competitors, 19...
by Claudia Bauer | Mar 15, 2022 | Training
If practice makes perfect, will more rehearsal lead to more-perfect performances? It’s natural to think that working harder—the ballet dancer’s go-to solution—will give you an edge when competition medals, scholarships, company contracts and coveted roles are on the...
by Kathryn Holmes | Oct 7, 2021 | Training
One of the most important moments in your competitive ballet career happens months—if not years—before you take the stage. Choosing the right classical variation can make or break your performance. Whether you’re given free rein or you’re selecting from a curated...
by Amy Brandt | Jul 13, 2021 | News, The Latest, Training
When the coronavirus pandemic shut down the world in March of 2020, dance leaders acted quickly, exploring the possibilities of virtual training and performances. Ballet competitions were no exception. When Audrianna Broad, president and artistic director of the...
by Chava Pearl Lansky | Jan 25, 2021 | Instagram, News, The Latest, Training
In an ordinary year, early February marks an exciting time in the ballet world: the return of the prestigious Prix de Lausanne competition. But this is no ordinary year, so this is no ordinary Prix. Due to the pandemic, the 2021 edition will run from January 31 to...
by Gavin Larsen | Dec 1, 2020 | Instagram, Training
As a 17-year-old student at The School of American Ballet, I had little awareness of ballet competitions—and to be fair, at that time (the early 1990s), there weren’t very many. Youth America Grand Prix and its many spawns did not yet exist, and the famous...