ENB Emerging Dancer 2015

[bangorballetboy]

The finalists for this year's competition are:

 

Isabelle Brouwers
Anjuli Hudson
Jeanette Kakareka
Katja Khaniukova
Vitor Menezes
James Streeter
Max Westwell
Jinhao Zhang

 

Announcement can be found here.

[BristolBillyBob]

Chuffed to see Jeanette Kakareka get the nod. She was a definite standout for for me in Coppelia. I'll definitely be going to this.

[Jan McNulty]

Press Release from ENB:

 

Emerging Dancer

Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre

Monday 23 March 2015, 7.30pm

Tickets: £10 - £20

Box office: 0844 875 0073 or www.ballet.org.uk/emergingdancer 

 

“This competition is like no other” londondance.com

 

English National Ballet’s 2015 Emerging Dancer competition will be held at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall on Monday 23 March 2015. This year’s finalists are:

 

·         Isabelle Brouwers

·         Anjuli Hudson

·         Jeanette Kakareka

·         Katja Khaniukova

·         Vitor Menezes

·         James Streeter

·         Max Westwell

·         Jinhao Zhang

 

Now in its sixth year, the annual competition allows English National Ballet to recognise and nurture talent and encourage excellence in the Company.

 

The eight emerging dancers will 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.

 

Last year’s winner of the Emerging Dancer Award and People’s Choice Award, Junor Souza, has since been promoted to First Soloist and performed Principal roles in Swan Lake and Nutcracker. Junor now receives sponsorship from XL Group, supporting him in his development as a dancer while raising his profile on both a UK and international stage. Alison McWhinney, joint winner of the Emerging Dancer Award, has since been promoted to First Artist. The Independent said of her recent performance in Swan Lake: “Alison McWhinney shone in her first act solo, bright and confident.”

 

First Soloist at English National Ballet, Junor Souza said: “Winning Emerging Dancer was great as it meant all the hard work I had done over the past year came together. As a dancer I like to challenge myself, and become stronger all the time and it was recognition of that. Since winning I have been given so many amazing opportunities, and performed with incredible dancers like Tamara (Rojo) and Begoña (Cao) which has been fantastic.”

 

Artistic Director of English National Ballet, Tamara Rojo, said: “Our annual Emerging Dancer competition is a fantastic platform for the younger dancers in the Company. It is a key part to English National Ballet’s commitment to developing and nurturing young talent, creating the stars of the future. I can’t wait to see what the eight finalists present on the night.”

 

The Emerging Dancer competition is generously supported by Talbot Hughes McKillop, the restructuring experts.

 

Matt Hinds, Managing Partner of Talbot Hughes McKillop, said: “Our sponsorship of the Emerging Dancer Competition began in 2010, and we have since enjoyed outstanding performances by many young talented dancers. We are proud that the competition has provided a fantastic opportunity for these remarkable dancers to gain greater profile, not only for each winner, but all of the nominees. We are delighted to be able to continue supporting English National Ballet.”

 

 

Winner of Outstanding Company at Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards 2014

 

For further information about English National Ballet and to book tickets visit www.ballet.org.uk Please note performance details are subject to change.

 

Ends

 

Notes to Editors

 

Emerging Dancer

Emerging Dancer is English National Ballet’s annual event for up-and-coming dancers, now in its sixth year. It isartistically directed by Associate Artist, George Williamson.

The eight emerging dancers, as voted for by English National Ballet’s dancers, Artistic team, orchestra and administrative staff, 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.

 

Talbot Hughes McKillop (THM) 

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 websitewww.thmpartners.com

[Jan McNulty]

I'm thrilled to see that Max Westwell has been nominated - for me he hasn't put a foot wrong in the last couple of years and indeed has lit up the stage at every performance I have seen him in.

[aileen]

So, there are eight nominees this year, rather than six. That's a good thing as it makes the evening a little longer.

[capybara]

So, there are eight nominees this year, rather than six. That's a good thing as it makes the evening a little longer.

 

And, importantly, it gives more dancers the opportunity to participate, with all the special coaching that  entails as well the chance to perform their solos and pas de deux on the night itself.

 

Am I correct in thinking that both Max Westwell and James Streeter have been in the line-up before? [No doubt 'Bluebird' has the details stored somewhere!]. I know that Vitor Menezes was there last year as a replacement for the injured Ken Saruhashi.