Gratitude to the participants and organizers of the 6th International Baltic Ballet Competition!
The excitement and anticipation of the 6th International Baltic Ballet Competition have subsided, but the unforgettable emotions created by the tension of each participant’s competition in both rounds at the Dailes Theatre on June 26th and 27th, as well as the outstanding performance at the Competition Gala Concert at the Latvian National Opera and Ballet on June 29th, are still vivid in our memories.
Together, we have accomplished a tremendous and beautiful work! The competition was crowned with splendid success. The joy and excitement of the audience served as a testament to the captivating and high-quality performance of each dancer and the fantastic artistic enjoyment provided by the competition laureates and, of course, the brilliant guests Evelina Godunova, Marian Walter, Lisa Pavlov, and Michael Belilov.
The success of the competition rounds and the Gala Concert were shaped by the hosts – the wonderful personalities of the Latvian National Ballet: Jūlija Brauere, Antons Freimans, and Raimonds Martinovs.
The professionalism of the competition participants was evaluated by the experts of the International Jury – Aivars Leimanis (jury chairman), Almira Osmanovič, Eligijus Butkus, Jolanta Ribarska, Iļja Vlasenko, Joseph Morrissey, Marek Rozicky, Gilbert Mayer, and Zdenek Prokeš.
The excellent masterclasses of classical dance, led by Vladimir Gelvāns, Aivars Leimanis, Sergejs Neikšins, Joseph Morrissey, Zane Lieldidža, Diāna Manceviča, and Jūlija Gurviča, as well as the brilliant concert masters Larisa Gelvāne, Jeļena Berdņikova, Lolita Soifere, and Nadežda Možeiko, undoubtedly strengthened and ensured the value and success of the Competition.
The participation of each contestant at a high professional level would not have been possible without the hard work and guidance of excellent and professional teachers.Top of Form
Every event has a visible part and an invisible part, the significance of which is invaluable in achieving success.
We would like to express our gratitude to the Riga Ballet School for their collaboration, providing ballet halls for the contestants’ masterclasses and rehearsals.
The high quality and realization of the 6th International Baltic Ballet Competition would not have been possible without the support of the Dailes Theatre and the Latvian National Opera and Ballet.
We thank the professional theater producers Anda Siliņa and Kristīne Mūrmane, as well as everyone who enthusiastically participated and helped resolve various organizational situations and ensured the implementation of the event, including the stage, lighting, props, costumes, hall, and the joy of the audience.
Special thanks to Ieva Kārkliņa, who tirelessly organized and directed the performances of all participants for three long days, and to the sound director Klāvs Siliņš, who, with unwavering calmness and a smile, managed to arrange, systematize, and polish more than 200 musical opuses for performance on both of Latvia’s largest theater stages.
And from the bottom of our hearts, we thank the core organizers of the IBBC: Viktorija Čaikova for her precision, calmness, and determination in solving all organizational matters, Irbe Treile for her contribution to the creation of the Gala Concert and providing international information, and Nikita Kazakov for advertising in Latvia. We also acknowledge Līga Zvaigznīte, who has been creating the refined and elegant visual identity of the Competition for several years. Aldis Kopštāls for his efficiency in creating video presentations of the concert stage and consistently wonderful advertising video materials for the Grand Gala Concert. Edmunds Mickus for capturing video footage of this event, and Artis Dzelzskalns for photography. We appreciate Elizabete Bondare and her team of volunteer girls from the Tāls Sils Dance Academy for their meticulous and intricate work. Kārlis Kaupužs for implementing the technical production section of the competition, being there, providing inexhaustible energy, and getting involved in solving any organizational issues.
Our gratitude would not be complete without mentioning the Sponsors and Partners of the competition.
First and foremost, we extend our deepest gratitude to Toufic Kawar for his selfless and invaluable work in establishing the international recognition of the competition. We express our thanks for the financial support to the State Culture Capital Foundation and the Education, Culture and Sports Department of the Riga City Council, as well as private supporters and donors.
We wish the participants growth and success!
See you in 2025 at the 7th International Baltic Ballet Competition!
Regīna Kaupuža
Chair of the Board of the Latvian Ballet and Dance Guild
Artistic Director of the International Baltic Ballet Competition
6th International Baltic Ballet Competition will take place in June!
In June, the Sixth International Baltic Ballet Competition will take place in Riga. From June 25th to 29th, sixty dancers from twenty countries will gather in Riga. Spectators are invited to attend the competition rounds at the Dailes Theatre on June 26th and 27th and enjoy the festive Gala Concert at the Latvian National Opera on June 29th. The motto of the International Baltic Ballet Competition, “Everything is possible… and you can!” encourages participants to demonstrate their talent and mastery and achieve excellence.
The competition will feature sixty students from professional classical ballet schools and classical ballet dancers in three age groups (12-14 years, 15-18 years, 19-26 years). They represent countries such as Japan, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Australia, England, the United States, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Georgia, Germany, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Latvia, and others.
“Previous competitions took place during the COVID restrictions and were held in a hybrid format. Therefore, we are particularly happy to meet again this year with the talented participants, prominent jury members, and, of course, the audience. This year, there will be especially fierce competition in the oldest age group, where professional ballet artists are participating, and it guarantees that we will be able to enjoy a truly interesting and diverse artistic program. We invite every ballet enthusiast to attend both the competition rounds at the Dailes Theatre and the beautiful Gala Concert at the Latvian National Opera on June 29th. There, we will congratulate the competition laureates and enjoy their performances and those of special guests,” says Regina Kaupuža, the director of the competition.
An international jury will evaluate the competitors, chaired by Aivars Leimanis, the artistic director of the Latvian National Ballet. The jury will include internationally renowned experts such as Jolanta Ribarska, the artistic director of the Warsaw Ballet School (Poland); Almira Osmanovič, Associate professor on the Theatre Art Department of the Arts Academy in Split (Croatia); Gilbert Mayer, ballet dancer and professor at the Paris Opera (France); Eligijus Butkus, Deputy Director of Ballet Education, National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Art (Lithuania); Mareks Rozycki, Deputy Artistic Direction of the State Ballet School Berlin (Germany); Joseph Morrissey, director of the Dance Department at the Interlochen Center for the Arts (USA); and choreographer, dancer, and teacher Zdenek Prokeš (Czech Republic).
The competition winners will receive cash prizes and opportunities for internships at European ballet schools. In addition to the competition, participants will have the opportunity to take part in masterclasses. This year, the prize list will also include the Grand Prix for the second time.
The International Baltic Ballet Competition has been held since 2013 and its growing significance is demonstrated by the participants’ interest from around the world and its membership in the International Ballet Competitions Federation. The competition has several equally important objectives: discovering new talent, developing education in the field of choreography, preserving the traditions of classical ballet, improving pedagogical activities, as well as promoting international creative collaboration and cultural exchange.
Tickets for the competition rounds and the Gala Concert can be purchased at the “Biļešu Paradīze” box offices and online at: https://www.bilesuparadize.lv/lv/organizer/675
The competition is organized by the Latvian Ballet and Dance Guild and the National Art School Riga Ballet School.
2021
Congratulations to the winners of the 5th Baltic Ballet Competition!
We are proud to announce the winners of the 5th International Baltic Ballet Competition!
Grand Prix
Mantraa Rane (New Zealand/Australia)
Juniors
1st place
Akvilė Šulcaitė (Lithuania)
Mantraa Rane (New Zealand/Australia)
2nd place
Maia Weisinger Braun (Australia)
Ieva Repšyte (Lithuania)
Alicija Klimasevska (Lithuania)
3d place
Olesia Chyzh (Ukraine)
Nika Judinceva (Latvia)
Manon Baranger (Australia)
Pre-professional group
1st place
Apolinaria Kartavceva (Russia/Latvia)
Isabela Cabral Saqueti (Brazil)
2nd place
Polina Kim (Kazakhstan)
3d place
Marta Emīlija Reinika (Latvia)
Gundega Guna Reinika (Latvia)
Cezary Szlachta (Poland)
Professional Group
1st place
Laura Grieta Grīnberga (Latvia)
Justīna Teličena (Latvia)
Special Jury Awards
Katherina St. Jean (USA)
Akvile Šulcaite (Lithuania)
Mantraa Rane (New Zealand/Australia)
Grieta Grīnberga (Latvia)
Justīna Teličena (Latvia)
Jury member – Director of Dance at Interlochen Center for the Arts Joseph Morrissey – offers several scholarships to the laureates of the Competition.
Fifteen thousand dollars merit-based scholarship award to attend year-round Academy at Interlochen Center for the Arts starting this fall is offered to
Polina Kim
Mantraa Rane
Three thousand merit-based scholarship award to attend three week summer program at Interlochen Center for the Arts next year is offered to
Akvile Šulcaite
Aleksander Nawrot
Apolinaria Kartavceva
Barbara Postek
Cezary Wojiech Szlachta
The Riga Ballet School offers year-round scholarships to
Isabela Cabral Saqueti
Mantraa Rane
We are happy to announce that 5th International Baltic Ballet Competition will take place online from July 19 to July 23, 2021.
International Baltic Ballet Competition has gained its’ reputation during previous four editions. Dancers from such countries as Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, USA, South Africa, South Korea, Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Germany, Iceland, Poland, Denmark, Macedonia a.o. have been participants of the International Baltic Ballet Competition.
The International Baltic Ballet Competition is organised by Riga Ballet School and Latvian Dance and Ballet Guild.
2018
VIDEO OF THE COMPETITION
We invite you to return to wonderful week of the IV IBBC. Here you can watch video from the rounds of the competition, Award ceremony and Gala Concert: http://studia.tv21.lv/IBBC2018/IBBC2018VIDEO.html
IV IBBC 2018 WINNERS
JUNIORS
1. PLACE MILDA LUCKUTE
2.PLACE MAKAR MIHALKIN
2.PLACE GABRIELE FORNACIARI
3.PLACE LOORA MULENOK
3.PLACE KEITA MARIJA BLOMA
PRE-PROFESSIONALS
1.PLACE GOTO MASAAKI
1.PLACE EDVINAS JAKONIS
2.PLACE LAURA GRIETA GRĪNBERGA
2.PLACE BARBOSA MATHEUS DE JESUS
3.PLACE ANNA YEN
3.PLACE NIKITA BORIS
PROFESSIONALS
2.PLACE VAHAGN MARGARYAN
2.PLACE DALER ZAPAROV
3.PLACE EVANDRO AUGUSTO BOSSLE JUNIOR
3.PLACE GERMANS ŠEVČENKO
SPECIAL PRIZES
SHINO TSURUTANI
CEZARY WASIK
ARTEM SHOSHYN
2016
We are proud to announce winners of the 3d International Baltic Ballet Competition:
JUNIOR GROUP
1st Prize ELENA ISEKI (Germany)
2nd Prize GOTO MASAAKI (Germany), LAURA GRIETA GRINBERGA (Latvia)
3d Prize ISABELL ARNKE (Germany), LINUS SCHMIDT (Germany)
PREPROFESSIONAL GROUP
1st Prize KĀRLIS CĪRULIS (Latvia)
2nd Prize OLIWIA GORECKA (Poland), MARJANA FAZULLINA (Estonia), ZOFIA DZEDZEJ (Poland)
3d Prize ADAM HUCZKA (Poland), EMMA LAGŪNA (Latvia), JUSTĪNA TELIČENA (Latvia)
PROFESSIONAL GROUP
1st Prize ELENA SHARIPOVA (Russia), DIDAR SARSEMBAEV (Kazakhstan)
2nd Prize KAITO SEKINO (Germany), YULIYA BRAUER (Latvia)
3d Prize JOLANTA LUBĒJA (Latvia), PARK JONG HEE (Korea)
Special thanks to our great judges and coaches! Many thanks to all participants, we believe you had a great time here in Riga!
See you in the IV Internatioanl baltic ballet competition 2018!
III IBBC 2016 winners
2014
II IBBC 2014 video
II IBBC 2014 winners
II IBBC 2014 GALA CONCERT 20.06.2014
II INTERNATIONAL BALTIC BALLET COMPETITION 2014 RESULTS
JUNIORS
OLIWIA GORECKA – 1st PLACE
MARJANA FAZULLINA – 2nd PLACE
JUSTINA TELICHENA – 3rd PLACE
JEKATERINA JUHINA – 3rd PLACE
PRE-PROFESSIONALS
SAKI KUWABARA – 1st PLACE
GREGOR SITU GLOCKE – 1st PLASE
KYOKA OKUYAMA – 2nd PLACE
MATHEUS VAZ GUIMARAES – 2nd PLACE
MIHAEL ZAHARIEV BELILOV – 3rd PLACE
STINE KRISTAPSONE – 3rd PLACE
STANISLAW WEGRZYN – SPECIAL PRISE
VICTORIA VASSOS – SPECIAL PRISE
PROFESSIONALS
MIKU SUZUKI – 1st PLACE
DMITRIJ ZAGREBIN – 1st PLACE
DZMITRY LAZOVIK 2nd PLACE
LISA BREUKER – 2nd PLACE
INDRA STARK – 3rd PLACE
KAMILL CHUDOBA – 3rd PLACE
ALISE PRUDĀNE – 3rd PLACE
2013
I INTERNATIONAL BALTIC BALLET COMPETITION 2013 RESULTS
JUNIOR GROUP
1st place winner – Edvinas Jakonis (Lithuania)
2nd place winner – Agate Zalite (Latvia)
3rd place winner – Katrina Bezdeliga (Latvia)
PRE-PROFESSIONAL GROUP
1st place winner – Marta Ozolina (Latvia)
2nd place winner – Marita Weinrank (Estonia)
3rd place winner – Mariya Plakhotsina(Belarus)/Veronika Ovchinnikova (Belarus)
PROFESSIONAL GROUP
1st place winner – Daria Elmakova (Russia)
2nd place winner – Annija Kopshtale (Latvia)
3rd place winner – Miles Gilliver (United Kingdom)
3rd place winner – Jolanata Lubeja (Latvia)
SPECIAL PRIZE
Jonas Laucius (Lithuania) – BALLET SUMMER COURSE BERLIN
ARTISTICS PRIZE
Luis Javier Fuentes Bermudez de Castro (South Africa) – Maruta Grozberga painting
