The dancers are preparing for the Helsinki International Ballet Competition
Canceled twice during the pandemic, ninth Helsinki International Ballet Competition has returned. May 30-June 6 the excitement to be held is at its peak as this year’s competitors prepare for a week of intense practice and performances. 68 international competitors19 from the United States
The competition, hosted by the National Opera and Ballet, divides the competitors into junior (15-19 year old) and senior (20-25 year old) series and consists of three rounds and a gala of classical and modern repertoire. Dancers must advance in each round to win the chance to win a cash prize or one of two valuable prizes: the Jane Erkko Grand Prix (approximately $ 21,500 cash prize) or the Doris Laine prize (approximately $ 13,000). The competition also awards several choreography awards.
Many of this year’s dancers were selected after they submitted video audition performances in March. (In the other selected IBCs, the winners of the Grand Prix or first, second or third prize were accepted without a trial run.) Since then, they have practiced four classic and two modern variations to be presented to the public and a seven-member jury. , conducted by Madeleine Onne, Artistic Director of the Finnish National Ballet. In addition to the awards, many competitors hope to receive international recognition and jobs or scholarships in prestigious companies and schools. Others are just waiting for the challenge to step on the international stage.
An older competitor Mayu Odaka, The soloist of the Oklahoma City Ballet, is excited about his participation, especially when he was not allowed to compete as a student. “I’ve been to the Oklahoma City Ballet for seven years now, so I wanted to challenge myself in a different environment,” he says. In the first round, he presents one of Lisen’s variations La Fille Mal Gardée and Swanhildan Act III Coppelia variation. He has also rehearsed two contemporary solos, choreographed by OKCB Acting. artistic director Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye and the retiring principal. DaYoung Jung.
Odaka is eager to visit Europe for the first time and interact with international dancers, especially after the pandemic closes. “The arts are very different there,” he says. “I’ve always wanted to watch dancers who have gone through royal schools – to see this kind of practice in action.”
Nineteen years old Tristan Barron, A student of St. Lucie Ballet in Florida, is looking forward to learning from other dancers. “I hope to make friends and I’m excited to follow the other guys and their technology. I love hanging out and getting excited together behind the scenes. It excites me to get my name out. “
Barron, who aspires to dance abroad, hopes to gain visibility among international companies to start his professional career. For the competition, he has practiced variations Le Corsaire, Paquita and Nutcrackersas well as two contemporary solos choreographed by St. Lucie’s fellow student Emma Butterworth.
Candidate for the top series Joshua KieselA newly beaten corporate dancer at the Kansas City Ballet, she has been rehearsing and performing at KCB recently. Wonderland of Oz. He has spent lunch breaks working with artistic director Devon Carney and ballet master Parrish Maynard to practice his variations, e.g. Don Quixote, Swan pond, Diana and Actaeon and Giselle. “It was hard to get through them at lunch on six-hour workdays,” he says, “but we survived!”
Role models like Daniil Simkin, Jeffrey Cirio and Brooklyn Mack, who, according to 21-year-old Kiesel, all competed in Helsinki at his age, inspired him to apply. By the way, Mack is this year’s member jury. “The only American guy in my age group is nerve-wracking,” Kiesel says. “But at the same time, I’m so excited to get on stage!”
Fifteen-year-old Siena Spain, A student at the Coastal Dance Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, can’t wait to get on the Finnish national stage as well. This is his first time leaving the United States. She is looking forward to meeting new dancers and courses for international instructors, hoping to get a scholarship at a vocational school. “My goal is to dance in Europe, and my dream company is Staatsballett Berlin,” she says.
A favorite of competing among generations of circus artists and air artists in España is sharing the joy with the audience. He presents variations La Bayadère, The Cavalry stop, Giselle and La Esmeralda in addition to their contemporary solos. “When I go on stage, I don’t think of it as a race,” he says. “I don’t compete with anyone but myself – the satisfaction of the audience helps keep me calm.”
After a two-year break, every competitor is happy that Helsinki is in full swing again. “It’s a very surreal feeling to get back here on this big thing,” Kiesel says. “It’s amazing to see how much the dance world has shaped itself back together.”