Congratulations to the winners of the 7th International Baltic Ballet Competition
Professionals
1st Place
Hiroto Nakabayashi (Igaunija / Estonia)
Ruka Tateno (Igaunija / Estonia)
2nd Place
Aleksandra Treimane (Latvija/ Latvia)
Gundega Guna Reinika (Latvija / Latvia)
Emīls Jānis Ungurs (Latvija / Latvia)
3d Place
Yelyzaveta Masalova Ukraina / Ukraine
Krista Štrausa (Latvija/ Latvia)
Mina-Vasiliya Stoyanova (Bulgārija / Bulgaria)
Pre-professionals
1st Place and Grand Prix
Dārta Balode (Latvija/ Latvia)
1st Place
Roman Anjuhhin, Annabel Vei (Igaunija / Estonia)
Eldeniz Gül (Turcija, Igaunija / Turkey, Estonia)
2nd Place
Nika Judinceva (Latvija/ Latvia)
Yelyzaveta Vitiuk (Ukraina, Latvija / Ukraine, Latvia)
Greta Biekšaitė (Lietuva / Lithuania)
Uliana Saiko (Ukraina, Latvija / Ukraine, Latvia)
3d Place
Mariella Pūpola (atvija/ Latvia)
Mattias Kunder (Igaunija / Estonia)
Ona Saulė Turaitė (Lietuva / Lithuania)
Dominiks Geidāns (Latvija/ Latvia)
Special Prize
Urtė Gudavičiūtė (Lietuva / Lithuania)
Juniors
1st Place
Leila Arcimavičiūtė (Lietuva / Lithuania)
2nd Place
Amirs Čapulis (Latvija Latvia)
Boglárka Balogh (Ungārija / Hungary)
3d Place
Sofina Durandina (Latvija/ Latvia)
Hanna Boichuk (Ukraina / Ukraine)
“Everything is Possible… and You Can Do It!” – International Ballet Talents Gather in Riga
The 7th International Baltic Ballet Competition will bring together seventy dancers from twenty countries in Riga from June 17 to 20. Audiences are invited to follow the competition rounds on June 17 and 18 at the Daile Theatre and enjoy the festive Gala Concert with international guest stars on June 20. The motto of the International Baltic Ballet Competition – “Everything is possible… and you can do it!” – encourages participants to demonstrate their talent and artistry and to reach for the highest level of excellence.
The competition rounds will feature students of professional classical ballet schools and classical ballet dancers in three age groups: 12–14, 15–18, and 19–26. Contestants represent countries such as Turkey, Greece, Australia, Japan, Germany, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and others.
The International Baltic Ballet Competition has become a significant event in Latvia’s dance scene – one that inspires, connects, and strengthens Latvia’s presence on the world ballet map.
This year’s Gala Concert will feature guest performances by principal dancers of the Berlin Ballet Lisa Pavlova and Mikhail Belilov, Toulouse Opera Ballet principal Kleber Rebello, and Vienna State Ballet star Ludmila Konovalova. Also performing will be former principal dancer of the Berlin State Ballet and Miami City Ballet Rainer Krenstetter, who is a laureate of numerous international ballet competitions.
“We are especially delighted this year to welcome so many talented participants, distinguished jury members, and, of course, our cherished audience once again,”
says competition director Regīna Kaupuža.
“This year’s senior category, which features professional dancers, promises particularly strong competition – and that means a truly diverse and captivating artistic program awaits. We warmly invite all ballet lovers to attend both the competition rounds and the splendid Gala Concert at the Daile Theatre, where we will celebrate the laureates and enjoy their performances alongside those of our guest stars.
For me, this competition is always a celebration of dance, talent, and inner strength. For the audience, it’s a chance to experience the magic of dance in all its glory, and for the young artists – an opportunity to grow, push boundaries, and inspire one another.”
The competitors will be evaluated by an international jury chaired by Aivars Leimanis, Artistic Director of the Latvian National Ballet.
The jury also includes internationally recognized experts:
– Jolanta Rybarska, teacher at the Warsaw Ballet School (Poland)
– Almira Osmanović, Associate Professor at the Academy of Arts in Split (Croatia)
– Gilbert Mayer, Paris Opera Ballet dancer and dance professor (France)
– Eligijus Butkus, Deputy Director for Ballet Education at the National M.K. Čiurlionis School of Art (Lithuania)
– Marek Rozycki, Deputy Artistic Director of the Berlin Ballet School (Germany)
– Zdeněk Prokeš, choreographer, dancer and teacher (Czech Republic)
– Rainer Krenstetter, dancer and teacher (Austria/USA)
– Iļja Vlasenko, ballet coach of the Latvian National Ballet and teacher at the Riga Ballet School (Latvia)
Winners of the competition will receive monetary prizes and internship opportunities at European ballet schools. In addition to the competition rounds, participants will have the chance to attend masterclasses.
The International Baltic Ballet Competition has been held since 2013. Its growing importance is demonstrated by the high level of international interest and its membership in the International Federation of Ballet Competitions. The competition pursues several key goals: discovering new talent, promoting education in the field of choreography, preserving classical ballet traditions, supporting pedagogical development, and fostering international creative cooperation and cultural exchange.
Tickets to the competition rounds and the Gala Concert are available at “Biļešu Paradīze” box offices and online:
👉 https://www.bilesuparadize.lv/lv/organizer/675
The competition is organized by the Latvian Ballet and Dance Guild and the National School of Arts MIKC Riga Ballet School, with support from the State Culture Capital Foundation and the Riga City Council.
Join us for the live rounds and Gala Concert of the International Baltic Ballet Competition!
On June 17 at 15:00 at Dailes Theatre, all dancers selected through the video round will take part in the 1st live round of the competition.
Tickets available HERE
On June 18 at 15:00, also at Dailes Theatre, the finalists who advanced from the first round will compete in a thrilling final round for the top prizes.
Tickets available HERE
The Grand Gala Concert and Award Ceremony will take place on June 20 at Dailes Theatre.
The first part of the evening will honor the winners of the competition, and the second part will present an unforgettable ballet celebration, featuring performances by both laureates and special international ballet stars!
- This year’s special guests include:
Lisa Pavlova and Mikhail Belilov, Principal Dancers of the Berlin Ballet
Kléber Rebello, Principal of the Toulouse Opera Ballet
Liudmila Konovalova, Star of the Vienna State Ballet
Rainer Krenstetter, former Principal of the Berlin State Ballet and Miami City Ballet, and winner of numerous international ballet competitions.
Tickets available HERE
