The Prix de Lausanne has announced the five finalists for its 2026 Young Creation Award, a choreographic platform that spotlights creativity within its network of international partner schools and junior companies. Now in its sixth year, the Award will be held during the 54th edition of the Prix de Lausanne, taking place from 1 to 8 February 2026 at the Beaulieu Theatre in Lausanne.
For this edition, an impressive 61 young choreographers from 19 partner institutions across 22 countries submitted original variations. From these, five standout works have been selected for presentation during the Choreographic Evening on Wednesday 4 February. Each finalist will see their choreography performed by a fellow young dancer from within the Prix de Lausanne partner network.
The finalists are:
• Max Cowan (Ireland), School of the Hamburg Ballet
Dancer: Quetzalcoatl Flores Cardeña (Mexico)
• Isabella Howard (USA), San Francisco Ballet School
Dancer: Asier Bautista Ayora (Spain)
• Clara Maria Oniceag (Romania), Zurich Dance Academy
Dancer: Medeea Caplea (Romania)
• Anastasiia Protsenko Herman (Ukraine), Zurich Dance Academy
Dancer: Emaline Ownby (USA)
• Kyra Wentzlaff (USA), School of the Hamburg Ballet
Dancer: Paolo Leanza (Italy)
Following the Choreographic Evening, the Prix de Lausanne Jury will select two winners. These choreographies will be showcased during the Finals Interlude and again on Sunday 8 February during the Rising Stars event. Each winning work will also become part of the contemporary variation repertoire for the 2027 Prix de Lausanne, giving future competitors the opportunity to perform these new creations.
Artistic and Executive Director Kathryn Bradney praised the scope and quality of this year’s submissions. “This year’s remarkable participation reflects the passion, creativity and artistic integrity of our Young Creation Award choreographers. It is profoundly inspiring to witness their vision take shape. The Young Creation Award continues to shape the future of dance, and this year’s participants embody that spirit beautifully.”
The Young Creation Award is supported by the Inverni and Artkhoros Foundations.