Prix de Lausanne 2026 Winners Announced
The 2026 edition of the Prix de Lausanne has officially concluded, celebrating a week of exceptional young talent at the Beaulieu Theatre in Lausanne.
Of the 78 candidates who took part in this year’s Selection rounds, 21 dancers progressed to the Finals. The Jury, chaired by Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet, selected fourteen Prize Winners who will now receive scholarships to join one of the prestigious partner schools or companies associated with the competition.
For more than five decades, the Prix de Lausanne has provided a global platform for young dancers to transition from training into professional careers.
Harlequin Floors: Supporting Performance at the Highest Level
Harlequin has supported the Prix de Lausanne for a number of years, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to the next generation of dancers.
The stage at the Beaulieu Theatre was equipped with a Harlequin floor, providing a consistent and reliable performance surface throughout the week.
This same commitment to quality extended behind the scenes, where three rehearsal studios within the theatre were fitted with Harlequin sprung and vinyl floors. These professional surfaces created a safe and supportive environment for candidates to rehearse and prepare, enabling them to train confidently, maintain technical precision and perform at their best throughout long and intensive days.
The Fourteen Scholarship Winners
The 2026 Prize Winners are:
1st Scholarship – Fondation Caris
424 — William Gyves (United States, 18)
2nd Scholarship – Bourse Jeune Étoile
302 — Dayeon Yeom (South Korea, 17)
3rd Scholarship – Bourse Astarte
301 — Jingxinyu Huang (P.R. China, 17)
4th Scholarship – Fondation Maurice Béjart
314 — Yihan Qin (P.R. China, 18)
5th Scholarship – Curél
201 — Yusei Sai (Japan, 15)
6th Scholarship – Bourse Jeune Espoir
213 — Yufei Cao (P.R. China, 16)
7th Scholarship – Fondation Anita et Werner Damm-Etienne
309 — Ara Shin (South Korea, 17)
8th Scholarship – Fondation Hélène et Victor Barbour
203 — Jetro Thijs (Belgium, 15)
9th Scholarship – Aud Jebsen Scholarship
413 — Dragos Gramada (Romania, 18)
10th Scholarship – Oak Foundation
306 — Tae Eun Kim (South Korea, 17)
11th Scholarship – Bourse Roland Petit Zizi Jeanmaire
417 — Suhyeok Bang (South Korea, 18)
12th Scholarship – Fondation Coromandel
418 — Mingyun Son (South Korea, 18)
13th Scholarship – Rudolf Nureyev Foundation
415 — Milo Demeulenaere (United States, 18)
14th Scholarship – Fondation Françoise Champoud
310 — Jiyul Jeon (South Korea, 17)
Additional Awards Presented
Alongside the scholarships, several special prizes were awarded:
Beaulieu Award, offered by Beaulieu SA
Dragos Gramada (Romania)
Contemporary Dance Award, offered by Minerva Kunststiftung
Dragos Gramada (Romania)
Best Swiss Candidate Award, offered by Fondation Jacqueline de Cérenville
William Gyves (United States, Zurich Dance Academy)
Web Audience Favourite Award, supported by la Fondation en faveur de l’Art Chorégraphique and ARTE Concert
Pietra Rego de Souza (Brazil)
Audience Favourite Award, supported by la Fondation en faveur de l’Art Chorégraphique and ARTE Concert
Dayeon Yeom (South Korea)
Finalists who were not awarded a scholarship each received the Finalists Award, recognising their achievement in reaching the final stage.
A Defining Week for the Next Generation
For the fourteen Prize Winners, the Prix de Lausanne marks a pivotal milestone. Through their scholarships, each dancer will now enter a professional school or company environment, gaining access to world-class coaching, performance opportunities and international networks.
Many former laureates of the Prix de Lausanne have gone on to become principals, artistic directors and influential choreographers across the globe.
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!
Image Credits: Prix de Lausanne and Gregory Batardon