The Erik Bruhn Prize

Elena Lobsanova of The National Ballet of Canada and Cory Stearns of American Ballet Theatre Win The Erik Bruhn Prize Matjash Mrozewski Wins Inaugural Choreographic Prize

Elena Lobsanova, 22, of The National Ballet of Canada and Cory Stearns, 23, of American Ballet Theatre won The Eighth International Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize on Wednesday, March 18 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto. They each received a cash prize of $7,500 and a sculpture by Jack Culiner. Canadian choreographer Matjash Mrozewski won the new Choreographic Prize for his work, Dénouement, and also received sculpture by Jack Culiner and a cash prize of $2,000.

Elena Lobsanova, a member of the Corps de Ballet with the National Ballet, danced a pas de deux from Le Corsaire for the classical section and the newly commissioned work, Dénouement, by Matjash Mrozewski for the contemporary section of the competition with Noah Long.

Cory Stearns, a soloist with American Ballet Theatre, danced the Black Swan Pas de Deux from Act III of Swan Lake for the classical section and End., a new work by Marcelo Gomes, for the contemporary section with Isabella Boylston.

Ten dancers in total from The National Ballet of Canada, American Ballet Theatre, Royal Danish Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and Stuttgart Ballet competed for the prestigious prize. Five choreographers competed for the Choreographic Prize which was new this year.

Principal Dancers Chan Hon Goh and Aleksandar Antonijevic hosted the evening. The National Ballet of Canada performed excerpts of Sabrina Matthews’ DEXTRIS which made its world premiere as part of the National Ballet’s winter mixed programme Innovation earlier this month.

Biography of Elena Lobsanova >

Elena Lobsanova is sponsored through Dancers First by Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan.

Supporting Partner:

Fairmont Royal York: Official Hotel of The National Ballet of Canada

Download 2008/09 Brochure PDF