Press Release: English National Ballet - Emerging Dancer - judging panel announcement

[Jan McNulty]

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 onMonday 23 March 2015, hosted by Natasha Kaplinsky.

 

This year’s judging panel of renowned dance industry figures are:

 

·         Leanne Benjamin AM OBE

·         Michael Nunn and William Trevitt (BalletBoyz)

·         Tamara Rojo

·         Wayne Sleep OBE

·         Didy Veldman

 

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

 

This year’s finalists are:

 

·         Isabelle Brouwers

·         Anjuli Hudson

·         Jeanette Kakareka

·         Katja Khaniukova

·         Vitor Menezes

·         James Streeter

·         Max Westwell

·         Jinhao Zhang

 

 

The eight emerging dancers will perform in front of the 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.”

 

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

 

 

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 is artistically 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 website www.thmpartners.com