What's been happening? Paris International Ballet Competition

Dance Magazine, April, 1997 by Caitlin Sims

More than two hundred dancers from thirty-nine countries competed in the Seventh Paris International Dance Competition, November 23-December 6, 1996. The biennial competition was divided into contemporary and classical rounds and was judged by two panels that included prominent dancers, choreographers, and artistic directors.

Of seventy-eight dancers entering the contemporary round, twenty-four progressed to the finals, held in the Theatre des Champs-Elysees near the famous boulevard of the same name. Yuval Pick of Israel won the Grand Prize of the City of Paris and 40,000 FF. While first prize for female was not awarded, Sang Ji Jia won the first prize for males. Other winners included: Gilles Baron and David Lerat, France (1st prize, duo); Yun Na Long, China (2nd prize, female); Abousefiane Lagraa, France (2nd prize, male); Chen Chen and Xiaolong Mico, China (2nd prize, duo). Laurent Coderch, Razvan Mazilu, and Melisande Carre were also recognized.

The classical round, which attracted 134 talented dancers, is further split into junior and senior divisions. After the final round, the judges spent three hours deciding upon the winners. Their verdict, returned at two in the morning, was severe--neither the Grand prize of the City of Paris nor first place in either the male or female junior category was awarded. In the junior category, second place female went to Emi Hariyama from Russia and male to Michal Sedlacek from the Czech Republic. American Michele Wiles and Swede Andy Rietschel, while cited by the French press for remarkable performances, were not acknowledged by the jurors.

Senior first-prize awards and an invitation to perform in Varna went to Daniela Severian de Carvalho (Germany), Andrei Batalov (Russia), and duo Yukari Kami and Amilcar Moret (France). Rosa Romero (Mexico), Carlos Lopez-Molero (Spain), and duo Delphine Baey and Stephane Phavorin (France) were awarded second-place honors. Also recognized were Nolwenn Daniel (France) and Shu Sheng Tong (China).

The dancers received their awards at the presidential palace in Paris from Mme. Bernadette Chirac, France's first lady who also serves as president of the competition. For the "Soiree des Laureats," December 6, they performed once more, joined by winners from other competitions. The Paris glitterati turned out in force to see the young dancers.