Prima ballerina Viengsay Valdés joins jury at Lausanne’s Prix

Prima ballerina and general director of the Cuban National Ballet (BNC), Viengsay Valdés, has joined the jury of the Lausanne Ballet Prix, in Switzerland, her company announced Tuesday.    

The renowned international ballet competition will take place from February 2 to 9 2025, featuring a panel of judges chaired by Laurent Hilaire, director of the Bavarian State Ballet, the statement added.

Acting a judges are vice president Paola Cantalupo, artistic and pedagogical director of the Roselle Hightower National School of Dance in France, as well as renowned dance personalities such as Leanne Benjamin, Skylar Cambell, Frédéric Olivieri, Laeticia Pujol, Wim Vanlenssen and Joy Womack.

Commenting on the Lausanne Ballet Competition, choreographer John Neumeier said the competition offers an exceptionally balanced blend of artistic ideals and practical help in developing young dancers’ careers, through the many scholarships that are awarded each year.

“However, what makes the Prix de Lausanne a unique experience is, above all, its dedication to the potential of current virtuosity,” he noted.

According to the celebrated choreographer, this contest has the responsibility of supporting individual talent and encouraging young dancers to analyze and reflect on aspects of the human condition, highlighting the noblest aspirations and possibilities of humanity in the dance field.