1. Introduction
2. Categories
3. Awards
4. Registration
5. Music
6. Time Limits
7. Props
8. Access Information
9. Personal Information
10. Media Consent
11. Repertoire List
1. Introduction
Ballet Grand Prix was founded in 2016 by Sindy Monson to support young dancers in Scotland. It has since grown to welcome dancers from all parts of the world. The ethos of the competition is to create an educational and enjoyable event that helps support the further training of the dancer. A growing number of supporters offer prizes to assist young dancers in their future development and training.
Competition Events
Our competition events are designed to give dance students valuable stage experience and the chance to express themselves.
- Semi-Final: Dancers will take part in a judged masterclass.
Class length: 60mins for Pre-Juniors, 75mins for Juniors and 90mins for mid and senior.
16-20 dancers will be selected from each category to compete in the final
£40
We have 2 semi-final locations you can choose from:
London, Acosta Dance centre
Dundee, The Space Theatre
- Final: Each dance will perform a classical and a contemporary solo for the judges. The finalists will also learn and rehearse on the day the choreography for the Grand Défilé (a classical group dance for all participants). The events will run in a supportive relaxed atmosphere and will culminate in a performance for all participants (Grand Défilé), followed by the awarding of trophies and certificates. The final will take place at The Space Theatre, in Dundee £70
Pre-Junior
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Solo competition
12:45 PM – 2:00 PM Défilé reherasal
Junior
11:15 AM – 1:15 PM Solo competition
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM Défilé reherasal
Mid
9:15 AM – 10:45 AM Défilé reherasal
1:45 PM – 3:45 PM Solo competition
Senior
11.00 AM – 12:30 PM Défilé reherasal
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Solo competition
All Participants
- Rehearsal All Together on the main stage 6:05 PM - 7:05 PM (no audience)
- Défilé and Awards Ceremony at 7:10 – 8:00 PM Latest
Dancers in each category will have 15 minutes on stage before their solo performance to warm up and rehearse their solos. Please note that parents, guardians, and teachers are allowed to assist their dancers only from the auditorium.
Marking
Final:
Classical solo: 40% of the final mark
Contemporary solo: 40% final mark
Masterclass from semi-final: 20% final mark.
The défilé is not judged.
Prizes from our Supporters
Prizes may be awarded at the Competition Events; however, we also have several supporters who award prizes after viewing our Competitors on video. Additional prizes are announced on social media.
Schedules will be sent closer to the time following full registration.
2. Categories
BGP may change the age cut-off for different categories to meet the needs of the numbers who apply.
Dancers who have held a professional contract may not compete.
Pre-Junior: Born in 2014-2016
Semi-final: Dancers are judged in a 60-minute masterclass.
Final: Dancers perform a Classical repertoire OR non-repertoire based solo and a Contemporary solo
Pointe not permitted.
Junior: Born in 2012-2013
Semi-final: Dancers are judged in a 75-minute masterclass.
Final: Dancers perform a Classical solo from our approved repertoire list, and a Contemporary solo.
Pointe not permitted.
Mid: Born in 2010-2011
Semi-final: Dancers are judged in a 90-minute masterclass.
Final: Dancers perform a Classical solo from our approved repertoire list, and a Contemporary solo.
Pointe work is required for the classical variation.
Senior: Born in 2007-2009
Semi-final: Dancers are judged in a 90-minute masterclass.
Final: Dancers perform a Classical solo from our approved repertoire list and a Contemporary solo.
Pointe work is required for the classical variation.
For all categories, acro is permitted but should not dominate. No more than 2 acrobatic elements per contemporary solo. Mark will be deducted if a dancer presents more than 2 acrobatic elements.
Choreographers are strongly encouraged to ensure that tricks do not distract from the qualities required for the genre
3. Awards
At our final event, for each category, trophies are awarded to the top 3 placing dancers and medals for the dancers placing 4th to 6th. Certificates will be awarded to dancers who do not place.
All students who attend Grand Defile rehearsals will dance at the Awards Ceremony.
Dancers with the highest-scoring classical solos are considered for additional prizes from our supporters, such as places on training programmes, bursaries, and scholarships.
The ultimate Grand Prix winner will be chosen from the Senior category and will exemplify the qualities of a professional ballet dancer at pre-company level, showcasing exceptional artistry, technical precision, and captivating stage presence.
A choreography award will be attributed to a dancer who has choreographed their contemporary solo. Please fill out this form via the link below and email it back to us if you wish to be considered for this award.
4. Registration
Please complete the full registration process online. Registration is not considered complete until full payment has been received
5. Music
The deadline for music submission is 4 weeks before the event commences. Music must be saved in MP3 format, and named 'Dancer’s name - Category - Genre', for example 'Jane Smith - Senior - Contemporary'.
6. Time Limits
Pre-Junior solos 1 min 30 secs maximum
All other solos are 2 mins 30 secs maximum
Repertoire from the approved list should run to its intended length regardless of category.
7. Props
Only small hand props are permitted. Candidates are responsible for setting and removing their own props. It is not permitted to spread any items on the stage (glitter/confetti/feathers, etc.)
8. Access Information
Only Dancers are permitted to enter the backstage area and changing room areas. All other attendees may only have access to the main foyer and auditorium upon purchase of an audience ticket.
Dancers in the Pre-Junior and junior categories may request access to the green room only for one parent helper to assist with costume change.
9. Personal Information
Candidate information, as provided on the application, is kept for the duration of the competition and then destroyed.
10. Media Consent
By participating in BGP, participants and their parents and/or legal guardians give their express permission for BGP to make any photo/video recordings at any time. Also, by participating in BGP, participants and their parents and/or legal guardians give their express permission for BGP to use any such photo/video recordings for BGP promotional purposes (including print, online and social media).
11. Approved Repertoire List
PRE-JUNIOR, JUNIOR and MID CATEGORIES
• Coppelia (A. St. Leon) All Variations
• Don Quixote (M. Petipa) All Variation
• Fairy Doll (S. Legat)
• Flower Festival at Genzano (A. Bournonville) All Variations
• Giselle (J. Perrot, J. Coralli, L. Lavrovsky) Peasant Pas de Deux Variations, Variation of Giselle, Pas de Deux Variations from Act II
• Harlequinade (M. Petipa) Pas De Deux Variations
• La Fille Mal Gardee (B. Nijinska, D. Romanoff) All Variations
• Paquita (M. Petipa) All Variations (Please note: Paquita Etoile is not accepted unless under 2:30 minutes)
• Raymonda (M. Petipa) All Variations
• Swan Lake (M. Petipa, L. Ivanov) All Variations (except Principals)
• The Flames of Paris (V. Vainonen) Pas de Deux Variations
• The Sleeping Beauty (M. Petipa) Variations of Fairies, Blue Bird Pas de Deux
• La Bayadere (M. Petipa) Three Shade Variations, Act III; Gamzatti Variation, Pas de Deux Variations
(Gamzatti Temple Variation (N. Makarova) is NOT accepted for competition)
• La Sylphide (A. Bournonville) All Variations
• Graduation Ball (D. Lichine) All Variations
• Laurencia (V. Chabukiani)
• Le Corsaire (M. Petipa) Pas d'Esclave and Variations, Odalisque Variations, Jardin Anime, Ali variation Act II, Act III Pas de Deux Variations
• Les Sylphides/Chopiniana (M. Fokine) Male and Female Mazurkas, Waltz # 7 and Waltz # 11, Prelude
• Napoli (A. Bournonville) All Variations
• Satanella (M. Petipa) Pas de Deux and Variations
• The Awakening of Flora (M. Petipa) All Variations
• The Nutcracker Suite (V. Vainonen) Pas de Deux and Variations
• The Cavalry Halt (M. Petipa) All Variations
• The Talisman (M. Petipa) All Variations
• William Tell (A. Bournonville)
SENIOR CATEGORY (including any from above)
• Diana & Acteon (A. Vaganova) Pas de Deux and Variations
• La Bayadere (M. Petipa) Nikiya's death scene variation
• Le Corsaire (M. Petipa) Medora Act II Variation
• Grand Pas Classique (V. Gsovsky) Pas de Deux and all Variations
• Swan Lake (M. Petipa, L. Ivanov) Principal Variations
• The Sleeping Beauty (M. Petipa) Aurora Variations from Act I and Act II (if under 2:30 minutes), Wedding Pas de Deux Variations