Queensland Ballet Academy Student Selected for Prix de Lausanne 2025

This year, the competition received an impressive 445 applications (354 girls and 91 boys) from 42 countries, with 86 dancers (44 girls and 42 boys) from 22 countries ultimately chosen to participate.

Queensland Ballet Academy Director Christian Tàtchev expressed his excitement about the selection.

“We are thrilled to announce that our Upper School Level 1 student, Xavier Xué Barriga, has been selected to compete at the Prix de Lausanne in 2025. We have watched Xavier’s growth over the years and are very proud of his achievements. We look forward to seeing him compete on the world stage in Switzerland and can’t wait to share his journey with everyone,” he said.

Xavier began his training with the Queensland Ballet Academy in the Associate Program before transitioning to full-time training in 2020.

Tàtchev applauded Xavier, his teachers, and all the candidates competing in 2025.

“Congratulations to Xavier, the teachers and mentors who have contributed to his success, and to all candidates competing in 2025!”

The video selection jury, comprising of nine professionals from the dance world, convened in Lausanne last weekend to review all submissions for the Prix de Lausanne 2025.

Kathryn Bradney, Prix de Lausanne’s Artistic and Executive Director, remarked, “The video selection stage is always an exciting and moving moment. What a thrill it is to discover these young dancers from so many countries! I am very proud to present the highly talented dancers selected for the next competition, whom we will support with all our care and professionalism over the coming months.”

Earlier this year two of Queensland Ballet Academy’s rising stars emerged as remarkable finalists at the prestigious Prix de Lausanne 2024. Jenson Blight was honoured with the Bourse Astarte Scholarship Award, marking a significant achievement in his promising career. He has since accepted a position in the Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company.

And Ruby Day was recognised for her exceptional talent and dedication, receiving the Rudolph Nureyev Foundation's Best Young Talent Award. She will officially join Queensland Ballet as a Company Dancer this month.

The 2025 competition will take place from February 2-9 at the Beaulieu Theatre in Lausanne, Switzerland.