Young Canadian wins Prix de Lausanne ballet competition
The 17-year-old Canadian Shale Wagman has been awarded first prize at the ‘Prix de Lausanne’ International Ballet Competition and also took home the artistic prize.
The young man from Toronto has been studying ballet for just four years, having begun with tap dance instruction from the age of six.
Wagman said after the competition that he has long dreamed of competing in Lausanne and that he is “very happy” with his win.
The Canadian is one of eight dancers who all receive a scholarship to one of the 72 ballet schools that are partnered with the event. He currently studies at Monaco’s Princess Grace Academy.
The seven other winners range in age from 15 to 18 and come from South Korea (two dancers), China (two), Brazil, Paraguay and the United States. For the first time since 2005, there was no Japanese dancer among the winners.
More
More
Young dancers in Lausanne compete for a ballet career
This content was published on
The 46th edition of the ‘Prix de Lausanne’ International Ballet Competition kicked off on Monday. The final will be held on February 3.
The jury, made up of personalities from the world of dance, was headed by Ted Brandsen, artistic director of the HET National Ballet of the Netherlands.
Some 74 candidates competed in this 46th edition of the competition. The jury followed their performance over five days of classes, rehearsals and performances, both classical and contemporary.
The competition was held at the Beaulieu Theatre in Lausanne, on the shores of Geneva, and was also livestreamed onlineExternal link.
Gay conversion therapy banned in Swiss canton of Valais
This content was published on
On Thursday, the canton approved a new Health Act which includes a ban on therapies aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity.
This content was published on
Some aspects of pro-Palestine sit-ins have gone too far, but the right to protest and debate must be upheld, the student association has said.
Swiss LGTBIQ helpline: attacks more than doubled in 2023
This content was published on
Three organisations jointly operating a helpline have called for more awareness, action and funding to address discrimination.
This content was published on
Switzerland's economy grew slightly at the start of 2024, with growth in the service sector contrasting with weak growth in industry.
Swiss employment rate rises in first quarter of 2024
This content was published on
The number of women and foreign nationals in employment increased particularly strongly, the Federal Statistical Office said on Thursday.
Coercion still an issue in Swiss welfare system, report finds
This content was published on
The rights of vulnerable people are still sometimes disregarded by the Swiss welfare system, a national research programme has found.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
A professional qualification for trainee dancers
This content was published on
In Switzerland ballet dancers can obtain a degree and get official recognition for their training. We found out why it matters.
Swiss schools offer training for a life on the stage
This content was published on
The three-year “Federal Certificate of Proficiency” for stage dancers is offered in Switzerland at the Zurich Dance Academy, where it was first introduced; in Geneva at the Centre de Formation Professionnelle Arts Appliqués; and at Ballettschule Theater in Basel. The certification is aimed at offering young dancers comprehensive professional dance training after completing their compulsory schooling. Besides…
This content was published on
There is no magic formula to make it to the top in the world of dance. One thing that's for certain: it requires innate talent and hard work.
This content was published on
The Prix de Lausanne is different to other ballet competitions. For many, it can act as a springboard for an international career.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.