Information
Competition
Our competition is structured into a semi-final and a final.
There are four different categories based on the dancer's year of birth. Dancers can compete from the year they turn 9 until the year they turn 19.
The semi-final consists of a judged masterclass. 16-20 dancers will be selected from each category, will be selected to compete in our final.
For the final, dancers in each category perform two solos: classical and contemporary.
Trophies are awarded to the top 6 placing dancers and medals for dancers placing 7th-10th.
All dancers participating in the final will be taking part in a masterclass and perform in the Grand Défilé as part of the Awards Ceremony. These events are not judged.
Directors
Photo - By GS
Constance Devernay-Laurence
Constance Devernay-Laurence is a Principal dancer, yoga instructor and ballet coach currently working internationally.
Born in France, Constance joined the Scottish Ballet in 2008 after graduating from English National Ballet School. She was promoted to Soloist in 2014 and to Principal dancer in 2016.
Throughout her career, Constance Devernay-Laurence has performed a wide range of classical and contemporary roles, dancing the works of renowned choreographers such as Kenneth MacMillan, David Dawson, George Balanchine, Christopher Bruce, Peter Darrell, Crystal Pite, Christopher Hampson and Helen Pickett.
Constance left Scottish Ballet June 2023, to pursue a career on screen, as well as on stage internationally.
Recognized for her impeccable technique, expressive range, and radiant stage presence, Constance has received accolades and critical acclaim throughout her career, notably 2 national dance awards nominations and won the 2022 National Dance Critics Circle Award for Best Female Classical Performance for her role of Swanilda in Coppélia. Her performances have left a lasting impression on audiences, who are moved by her grace, precision, and ability to convey profound emotions through dance.
While Constance's primary focus is her career as a principal dancer, she is also passionate about sharing her knowledge and expertise with aspiring dancers. Through masterclasses and workshops, she imparts her wisdom, nurturing the next generation of talent and inspiring them to reach new heights in their own dance journeys. Constance currently teaches for Studio Wayne McGregor, English National Ballet School, London Vocational Ballet School and Jamiel Laurence Creation.
Constance has been practising Yoga alongside her career and passed her Yoga Level 3 Instructor diploma in 2018.
Constance recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sport, Fitness and Coaching and teaches all-level ballet classes and workshops.
Photo - Chris Nash 1995
Sindy Monson
Sindy Monson is the founder of Ballet Grand Prix and choreographer of the Ballet Grand Prix défilé.
Sindy is a master teacher and choreographer currently working in the Contemporary Ballet genre. In her early career, she performed professionally in neo-classical and contemporary works as a freelance artist with Pendulum Arts Company, White Monkey Trip Dance Theatre, Dance Junction, and Sarah Allen Dancers. Sindy created her first professional choreography in 1995 with a premiere at Sadler's Wells Lilian Baylis Theatre. In 1996 she became the resident choreographer for Pendulum Arts Company, whilst continuing to perform as a guest dancer.
Sindy has numerous dance qualifications including a bachelor's degree from Middlesex University and a post-graduate from the University of Utah. As a post-graduate student, Sindy studied Screen Dance with Ellen Bromberg and Dance Kinesiology with Sally S. Fitt. These two fields of study have had a significant influence on her professional practice since. At the University of Utah, Sindy danced with Performing Dance Company in work by Trisha Brown, Sharee Lane and Kaye Richards. Sindy was awarded the University’s Service Award in 2001 for her dance work with young people with addiction problems.
Sindy holds RAD, IDTA, ISTD, Acrobatic Arts and PBT teaching qualifications. She has been a qualified ballet teacher since 1992 and has taught contemporary and dance-related academics since 1996 with extensive teaching experience over the last 30 years. She has guest lectured on both Graham-based and Cunningham-based techniques for The Place, Tring Park School, and Middlesex University. She became a full-time professor at The Scottish School of Contemporary Dance in 2004, creating several key choreographic works.
Sindy founded Ballet Academy Scotland in 2011, being the principal teacher for 11 years. She began the Scottish Youth Ballet Grand Prix in 2015 (now Ballet Grand Prix) to create opportunities for serious young dancers, later introducing associate classes and the Scottish Youth Ballet Company. She has choreographed in multiple genres including classical, contemporary, neo-classical, musicals, mixed-media, and Screen Dance. She has worked with all ages and abilities and has extensive experience choreographing for children and students.
Due to Sindy's diverse experience, she values collaboration with composers, musicians, and visual artists. Her current professional practice explores ways to stretch the traditional expectations within ballet through its teaching, choreography and body expectations.
Sindy Monson is the founder of Ballet Grand Prix and choreographer of the Ballet Grand Prix défilé.
2024 Judges
Thomas Edwards
Thomas was born in Worcester and began training at Harlequin Stage School from the age of 2 1/2.
At 16, Thomas moved to London to start his vocational training at Central School of Ballet. During his time there, Thomas was the first 1st Year to win the Central Friends Trust Award and was a Finalist in both the Young British Dancer of the Year 2012 and the prestigious Prix De Lausanne 2013.
Upon graduation, Thomas joined the Scottish Ballet under the directorship of Christopher Hampson, performing works by Pite, MacMillan, Dawson, Bourne, Bruce and Van Manen. In 2016 Thomas was promoted to First Artist, and in 2018 Promoted to Soloist.
Away from Scottish Ballet Thomas became the Technical Lead of Ballet for Scottish Gymnastics in 2020 working with their Artistic, Rhythmic and Acrobatic Gymnasts on technical skills, artistry, and performance and began a Masters's Degree in 2022 at St Mary's University in Twickenham in Strength and Conditioning.
Most recently, Thomas took some time away from the stage to restage 'Dextera' by Sophie Laplane for the Ballet Central tour 2023, assisted Sophie Laplane in restaging ‘Le nozze do Figaro’ for the Paris Opera, and was in Poland restaging ‘Elsa Canasta’ by Javier de Frutos for Opera Wrocławska.
Louise Bennett
Louise trained at The Royal Ballet School and danced with The Royal Swedish Ballet, Norwegian National Ballet and English National Ballet.
She is now the Artistic Director of National Youth Ballet's Residential Performance Company, as well as a freelance ballet teacher, rehearsal director and choreographer based in London.
From 2020-2022, upon Demis Volpi's invitation, she worked as a Ballet Master at Ballett am Rhein in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Louise has taught ballet for companies including The Royal Ballet, Ballett Zürich, Ballett am Rhein, Company Wayne McGregor, Ballet de l'Oéera du Rhin, Ballet Black, Rambert and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, and for students at Rambert School, Laban, Zürich University of the Arts, and Balettakademien Stockholm.
As a choreographer, Louise has created pieces for The Royal Ballet School, The National Youth Ballet of Great Britain, Ballet Central, Encore Dance Company, Tivoli Ballet and Outside Edge Theatre Company, as well as winning the Kenneth MacMillan and Ninette de Valois choreographic awards and being selected to take part in Wayne McGregor’s ‘Dancelines’ workshop.
Louise is passionate about building confidence in dancers and creating inclusive and open spaces in which to work on technique and artistry.
Masterclass teachers
Thomas Edwards
Dundee Semi-finals: all categories
Thomas was born in Worcester and began training at Harlequin Stage School from the age of 2 1/2.
At 16, Thomas moved to London to start his vocational training at Central School of Ballet. During his time there, Thomas was the first 1st Year to win the Central Friends Trust Award and was a Finalist in both the Young British Dancer of the Year 2012 and the prestigious Prix De Lausanne 2013.
Upon graduation, Thomas joined the Scottish Ballet under the directorship of Christopher Hampson, performing works by Pite, MacMillan, Dawson, Bourne, Bruce and Van Manen. In 2016 Thomas was promoted to First Artist, and in 2018 Promoted to Soloist.
Away from Scottish Ballet Thomas became the Technical Lead of Ballet for Scottish Gymnastics in 2020 working with their Artistic, Rhythmic and Acrobatic Gymnasts on technical skills, artistry, and performance and began a Masters's Degree in 2022 at St Mary's University in Twickenham in Strength and Conditioning.
Most recently, Thomas took some time away from the stage to restage 'Dextera' by Sophie Laplane for the Ballet Central tour 2023, assisted Sophie Laplane in restaging ‘Le nozze do Figaro’ for the Paris Opera, and was in Poland restaging ‘Elsa Canasta’ by Javier de Frutos for Opera Wrocławska.
Anna Rose O'Sullivan
London Semi-finals: Pre-junior, junior and mid
O’Sullivan was born in Harrow and began dancing at age two, training locally before joining The Royal Ballet School, White Lodge. Early performances included the lead role of Sara Crewe in A Little Princess for London Children’s Ballet and Cosette (Les Misérables) and in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on the West End. Roles at the School included a Principal role in Alastair Marriott’s Simple Symphony, pas de deux (Don Quixote) at La Fenice, Venice, and pas de deux (Rhapsody) at Buckingham Palace. Awards include the April Olrich Award for Dynamic Performance and the Phyllis Bedells Bursary (Royal Academy of Dance). In 2010 she reached the finals in the Genée International Ballet Competition and in 2011 won The Royal Ballet School Achievement Award, the Director’s Prize for most promising student and Young British Dancer of the Year.
O’Sullivan’s roles with the Company have included Odette/Odile (Swan Lake), Princess Aurora and Princess Florine (The Sleeping Beauty), Kitri and Amour (Don Quixote), Swanilda (Coppélia), Alice (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland), Olga (Onegin), Clara and Sugar Plum Fairy (The Nutcracker), Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), The Fairy Spring (Cinderella), La Fille mal gardée pas de deux, Princess Louise and Princess Stephanie (Mayerling), Dorabella (Enigma Variations), Vera (Month in the Country), Calliope (Apollo). She created Gertrudis in Like Water for Chocolate and roles in Multiverse, Woolf Works, Symphonic Dances, Dispatch Duet, The Dante Project and Untitled, 2023.
Bethany Kingsley-Garner
Finals: all categories
Bethany Kingsley-Garner is a Principal Artist with the Scottish Ballet Company. She performs across the UK and around the world in theatres such as the prestigious Mariinsky Theatre, Grand Opera House Beijing and The Kennedy Centre in the USA,
Born in Devon, Bethany trained at the Royal Ballet Schools from age 11 and graduated with Honours in 2007 after winning The Wyre Drawer Company Leavers Prize, The April Olrich Award for Most Dynamic Performer and First Commendation in Young Dancer of The Year. During this time she performed with The Royal Ballet Company in numerous performances including The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.
Having joined Scottish Ballet in 2007, Bethany was promoted to Soloist and then Principal Dancer. In 2016 she was nominated by the Critics Circle for Outstanding Classical Performance. In addition to performing title roles, she is actively involved in Dance Education teaching and guest coaching at workshops and seminars. She has been awarded certification for her teaching from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and was selected as a Champion of Scotland to inspire, motivate and encourage young people. Additionally, more recently undertaking The Royal Ballet Inspire Teaching Course Bethany is regularly requested to present to audiences and has appeared as a Ballet Mentor for the BBC Young Dancer. Bethany has modelled for numerous photographic projects and also appeared in film, exhibitions and magazines. Bethany is widely known as The People’s Ballerina for her ability to connect, inspire and reach out to people.
Jamiel Devernay-Laurence
London Semi-finals: senior
Jamiel Devernay-Laurence is a Producer of dance-based experiences for stage, screen, and events, in education and professional development.
Through entrepreneurship, Jamiel brings his creations to life through JAMIEL LAURENCE CREATION - collaboratively platforming and curating the work of other artists and harnessing his professional network drawn from his experience as a Performer, Choreographer, Creative Director, Venue Director, and award-winning Filmmaker.
After a career as a soloist of Scottish Ballet (2009 – 2021) and has received several Scottish Ballet commissions for unusual gala events, celebration pieces, a national tour of Wee Hansel & Gretel, and many of his own small independent productions, Jamiel turned his hand to emerging mobile capture technologies in 2018 to achieve ever more ambitious outcomes on screen, going on to receive commissions from organizations and trusted brands including BBC ARTS, BBC Scotland, Google, Scottish Ballet, OneDanceUK, The Peter Darrell Trust, The John Byrne Award, Celtic Connections, Edinburgh Fringe, Ballet Ireland, The Queen’s Jubilee, Cardiff Castle, The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Dance School of Scotland.
This year, Jamiel was appointed as the Executive Artistic Director of 3GEE’s Productions and has been commissioned to deliver multiple performances of his unique vision for a new dance platform – BALLET NIGHTS
Grand Défilé
The Grand Défilé is an opportunity for all of the BGP dancers to perform together on the stage. Dancers rehearse several times throughout the event to learn group choreography that is then performed at the Awards Ceremony. Sindy Monson will be choreographing the défilé.
A detailed schedule will be released to the participants closer to the competition dates.
Guidelines for participants
Dancers must attend all assigned rehearsals
Dancers must have the items of clothing as indicated for the performance
Required dancewear
Option 1
Plain black camisole or wide strapped leotard
Plain black practice tutu (layers MUST be tacked together)
Pink or skin toned tights and matching shoes
Mids and over may dance en pointe
Option 2
Plain black unitard
White socks and shoes
2024 Supporters
If you would like to sponsor a prize, please get in touch via email.
Our previous supporters include Youth American Grand Prix, Scottish Ballet, Imperfect Pointes, Freed of London, National Youth Ballet, London Studio Centre, Grad Pro, Rimbaud Patron Photography, Simply Tutu Lovely and Crystal Pointe.
English National Ballet School will select a semi-finalist dancer to immerse themselves in the school during term time for 3 days. They will participate in classes and gain first-hand experience with the wonderful institution that is ENBS. This prize also provides a wonderful chance for Viviana Durante and her team to observe the student over an extended period with the intention of potential enrolment in the School's First or Second year. This opportunity is particularly relevant for dancers who aspire to commence full-time training in September 2024.
A selected semi-finalist dancer from the Mid-category will be awarded 2 tickets to the Grand Finale performance of Ballet Nights on November 24th or 25th in London. This is a wonderful opportunity to see stars of the English National Ballet and other amazing artists up close in a unique compèred evening of dance and music. This prize is sponsored by NPAFE, the National Performing Arts Funding Exchange, based in Washington DC.
A finalist will also be awarded 2 tickets to their Spring season show.
NPAFE will also be awarded a semi-finalist with a small grant to help towards costs for our finals.
We are so thrilled that NYB will be awarding a part bursary for their residential performance company to a finalist upon successful audition. Through their residential performance programme, NYB offers a platform for dancers to develop their skills, work together as a company and explore the work of a variety of creatives, enabling them to gain an even deeper understanding of the complexity of the creation process and being a company dancer.
LVBS will award an exclusive bursary to a dancer in the Junior category for the school's Associate Programme starting this January 2024. This is a wonderful chance for a talented dancer to share their passion and drive for dance and take their training to the next level.
Imperfect Pointes is our sustainable dancewear supporter and we are so happy that they will be supporting Ballet Grand Prix again in 2024. All dancewear and tights are consciously-made in the UK using fabrics made from recycled plastics.
Grad Pro is inviting a Senior semi-finalist from Dundee and one from London to participate in their regional performance. You will present a work choreographed by yourself or someone of your choice, in front of an invited panel and if selected will be performing at the International Showcase performance.
The winner of the Mid category will be chosen to perform a solo of their choice at the final showcase.
We are so pleased that Freed of London is supporting us this year again, by offering 5 pairs of pointe shoes to a winner in the mid and senior categories and a prize voucher for the pre and junior categories. The winners will be able to get their pointe shoes fitted at their store in London, Covent Garden.
Capsule Ballet offers dancewear designed by dancers - for dancers, from the leading international ballet bodywear brands and we are delighted that they will be offering dancewear to the senior category as prizes.
Crystal Pointe
Crystal Pointe is supporting the 'Artistry Prize', by gifting a Tiara. Crystal Pointe will also be present with a pop-shop at our final where you will have the opportunity to purchase lovely ballet gifts and souvenirs such as headdresses, decorative pointe shoes, teddies and hair accessories.
Simply Tutu Lovely is supporting the 'Joy of Dance Prize', by gifting a layered hooped practice tutu.
We are pleased to announce that Rimbaud is our official photographer for our final in 2024 and is supporting this year's 'Best Male performance' by awarding a 30-minute studio photoshoot.
Laura Mumby will be awarding a senior finalist with a one-hour photoshoot on locaion and 10 digital images.
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