Press Release: English National Ballet is delighted to announce the six finalists for the Emerging Dancer Competition 2014

[Jan McNulty]

ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR THE EMERGING DANCER COMPETITION 2014

 

English National Ballet is delighted to announce the six finalists for the Emerging Dancer Competition 2014, generously supported in its fifth year by Talbot Hughes McKillop (THM), the restructuring experts.

 

The Emerging Dancer Competition is an annual opportunity for English National Ballet to recognise and nurture the phenomenal talent of its up-and-coming dancers and the Company is pleased to announce the following chosen finalists for the Emerging Dancer Award:

 

• Madison Keesler
• Senri Kou
• Alison McWhinney
• Ken Saruhashi
• Junor Souza
• Joan Sebastian Zamora

 

The competition encourages excellence and potential within the Company and throughout the year English National Ballet’s artistic, music, administrative staff and Principal dancers have been voting for their favourite Emerging Dancer. The Emerging Dancer Competition will be held on Monday 19 May, 2014 at the Lyceum Theatre and is open to the public, with tickets now on sale.

 

The Emerging Dancer Competition is an annual event for English National Ballet to recognise and nurture the phenomenal talent of its up-and-coming dancers. In this live final six emerging dancers perform in front of a panel of eminent judges. The Emerging Dancer Award winner is announced at the end of the evening together with the recipient of the People’s Choice Award, which is voted for by members of the public.

 

Tamara Rojo, English National Ballet Artistic Director said: “Our annual Emerging Dancer competition is a fantastic platform for the rising young dancers of our Company and a key part of continuing investment in creating the stars of the future.   It also gives our audience a chance to have their say.   Last year's sold-out event has shown that it has now become a key date in the London ballet calendar and we are extremely grateful to Talbot Hughes McKillop  for making this possible.”

 

The 2014 Emerging Dancer Competition, artistically directed by Associate Artist George Williamson, will see one dancer crowned as Emerging Dancer 2014 and will be announced at the end of the evening together with the recipient of The People's Choice Award, which is voted for by members of the public.

 

Last year’s (2013) Emerging Dancer Award was won by young dancer Nancy Osbaldeston who received rave reviews for her performance in Petrushka. As well as the accolade of the title, the Emerging Dancer winner receives £2,500, the People's Choice Award winner receives £1,000 and all nominees receive £500.

 

At a difficult time for Arts funding, Talbot Hughes McKillop's sponsorship of the award is a practical demonstration of its belief that business has a clear responsibility to engage constructively in providing support to the arts.

 

Paul Horn, Managing Partner, Talbot Hughes McKillop commented: “Talbot Hughes McKillop are proud to be invited to continue as sponsors of the Emerging Dancer Award 2014. Talbot Hughes McKillop and the English National Ballet share a mutual commitment to delivering outstanding quality at the highest levels of performance and professionalism. Our sponsorship of the Emerging Dancer Award since 2010 has successfully enhanced the profile of the nominees, allowing individuals to flourish and start to achieve their potential.”

 

Ends

 

For further information about English National Ballet 2014 Performance Schedule visit www.ballet.org.uk  You can find English National Ballet on Facebook and Twitter @ENBallet

 

Notes to Editors

 

Emerging Dancer Competition is an annual event for English National Ballet to recognise and nurture the phenomenal talent of its up-and-coming dancers. The Award encourages excellence and potential within the Company. Throughout the Autumn English National Ballet’s Principal dancers and artistic, music and administrative staff vote for their Emerging Dancer and the Company’s brightest talents are shortlisted to compete in a thrilling live final in May 2014.

 

Emerging Dancer Competition is generously supported by Talbot Hughes McKillop, the restructuring experts:

 

Talbot Hughes McKillop (THM) provides experienced leadership to corporates, creditors and shareholders in distressed and other event-driven special situations. The firm provides hands-on, practical support, typically using small, partner led teams to deal with both the financial and operational aspects of a restructuring situation. The role may involve partners from THM taking executive roles (for example as Chief Restructuring Officer) and/or other Board of Director appointments. Founded in 2001, THM has handled some of the highest profile pan- European restructuring projects. THM believes that the arts have a critical role to play in enriching the life of communities throughout the country, as well as in fostering emerging young talent. Business has a clear responsibility to engage constructively with arts organizations in providing finance and other forms of help and support. This is even more critical at a time when the state has had to reduce its financial support for the arts, creating a funding gap that needs to be bridged. For more details, please see the THM website www.thmpartners.com