On Sunday 9th February, the curtain rose at the Théâtre de Beaulieu in Lausanne for the second edition of Rising Stars – a ballet performance imagined and brought to life by Kathryn Bradney, Artistic and Executive Director of the Prix de Lausanne.
A key figure on the international dance scene and former Principal Dancer with Béjart Ballet Lausanne, Kathryn Bradney has, for several years, breathed new life into the world-renowned competition – combining artistic excellence, openness and global outreach. Through her vision, the Prix de Lausanne has become more accessible to the wider public, offering a privileged glimpse into the captivating world of elite ballet. With Rising Stars, she creates a luminous interlude during the week of the Prix, distilling the very essence of the competition into a poetic and approachable format.
While the Prix de Lausanne has thrilled dance lovers for over half a century, Rising Stars unveils a different facet of the experience: a suspended moment, conceived as a celebration of young talent, far from the pressures of the competition.
In just 90 minutes, this vibrant programme weaves together classical rigour, contemporary boldness and moments of wonder, forming an elegant dialogue across styles and generations.
The performance highlighted the finalists and prize-winners of the 2025 edition.
Particularly noteworthy was YounJae PARK, 1st Prize winner of the Prix de Lausanne laureate and recipient of the Caris Foundation Scholarship, who delivered a breathtaking classical variation marked by flawless technique and rare musical sensitivity.
The Young Talent Award was presented to Eric POOR, whose commanding stage presence and natural charisma captivated both jury and audience alike.
Jakob WHEWAY HUGHES was another standout, receiving multiple accolades – including the Contemporary Interpretation Award and the Web Audience Prize – affirming a striking versatility and artistry.
The programme also featured the two finalist pieces of the Young Creation Award – a flagship initiative of the Prix de Lausanne dedicated to emerging choreographic voices:
- 20 Miles From Shore, choreographed by Henry Lichtmacher (Houston Ballet Academy) and performed with striking intensity by Alex Westerman, set to the atmospheric soundscape of Lars Meyer.
- Extinction, by Alexander Mockrish (ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School), interpreted by the ethereal Caroline Quiner, captivated with its fluid movement language and expressive clarity, underscored by the subtle textures of Peter Sandberg’s score.
Several other scholarships were awarded during the evening:
• Fondation Maurice Béjart – Hanxi WANG, P. R. China, a particularly symbolic award paying tribute to the great master of movement and the enduring influence of his work on the younger generation.
• Astarte Scholarship – Hono HAMASAKI, Japan, awarded to a laureate whose rare artistic sensitivity and luminous stage presence are a promise of a brilliant future.
Freed from the constraints of competition, these young artists gave full rein to their creativity. A clear sense of freshness emerged in their performances: their bodies opened, their personalities shone through, and emotion surfaced with authenticity. Rising Stars thus reveals another truth of the stage – that of transmission, the joy of dancing, and the beauty of shared expression.
One of the evening’s highlights was Our Common Fate, a new creation by New York-based choreographer Jessica Lang, developed within the framework of the Partner School Choreographic Project (PSCP). In the space of just one week, 26 young dancers from some of the world’s leading institutions – including The Royal Ballet School, ABT JKO School, and the Paris Opera Ballet School – crafted a compelling choreographic tapestry. Set to a spellbinding score and enhanced by a dreamlike stage design, the piece explored group dynamics and shared destiny, seamlessly blending classical lines with striking contemporary contrasts.
To conclude the evening, the two guest stars offered magical moments. Margarita Fernandes and António Casalinho, rising stars of the Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich – recently promoted to Soloist and Principal respectively in November 2024 – transported the audience with two emblematic pas de deux. First, a dazzling display of virtuosity in the famous Le Corsaire duet – immaculate pirouettes and effortlessly soaring lifts – followed by the deeply moving balcony pas de deux from Romeo and Juliet (Cranko version), where their dramatic chemistry and nuanced phrasing brought the audience to tears.
More than a gala, Rising Stars embodies a vision – that of a living, evolving art form, carried forward by passionate and talented youth. Now an essential fixture of the Prix de Lausanne, this unique evening brings together the excellence of today and the promise of tomorrow.
As the applause echoed through the grand auditorium, one thing was certain: these young stars, already sparkling on stage, are poised to illuminate the world’s most prestigious theatres.
