The Jury’s Perspective: XV International Ballet Competition

The International Ballet Competition is not only a test for its participants, but also a unique point of observation for those who evaluate their performances. The perspective of the jury combines professional rigor, personal stage experience, and the ability to see, within just a few minutes of a variation, not only technique, but also the future artist behind it.

We spoke with members of the competition jury about their first impressions, evaluation criteria, the nervousness of the participants, and what helps a young dancer be noticed on the international stage.

Jovica Begojev

Artistic Director and Principal Dancer of the Ballet Company of the National Theatre in Belgrade, Serbia

This is your first experience as a member of the competition jury. What are your first impressions?

Yes, this is my first time serving on the jury of this competition. Moreover, it is the first time that Serbia has been represented here by a jury member. The competition has a very long tradition, and I am happy that the organizers invited me to take part in such a major event.

In my opinion, the competition is very well organized. There are many young talents here. Of course, it would be wonderful if it took place every year rather than every four years, but those are the rules. (laughs)

What do you pay special attention to when evaluating the participants in the first round?

I myself am a former ballet dancer of the Belgrade National Theatre, and now I lead the ballet company as artistic director. So today I look at dancers in a different way.

For me, stage presence, a strong technical foundation, and the ability to use the stage and its space are very important. The audience has to fall in love with an artist from the very first second. This is our profession and our passion. But since this is a competition, the technique also has to be at a very high level.

How do you think the participants feel performing on the legendary stage of the Bolshoi Theatre?

For many of them, this may be the first experience of its kind in their lives. In the first round, during the first variation, you can almost always feel the nerves. In Serbia, we call it trema — stage fright, the stress before going on stage.

But it is a good feeling: if a person is nervous, it means they feel responsibility and take their work professionally. Usually, in the first variation, the participants are still getting used to the stage, so the performance may be a little less free, both technically and emotionally. By the second variation, they usually open up much more.

What would you like to wish the participants before the next stage?

First of all, health. If a person is healthy, they can do everything. And I would also wish them what my teachers used to tell me: to have the heart of a lion and a cool head. Everything begins with the mind, with inner stability. If you are mentally strong, you can achieve anything.

Viengsay Valdés

Prima Ballerina and General Director of the National Ballet of Cuba

This is your first time on the jury of the Moscow International Ballet Competition. What are your first impressions?

Yes, this is my first time at this competition in Moscow. For artists, it is not easy to step onto a stage like this: it is a great challenge for any dancer. But even under these circumstances, the participants tried to do everything they could. I think that with each day, with each following round, they will be able to become better and better.

What qualities, in your opinion, help young artists stand out at an international competition?

First of all, we look at ballet technique: the precision of movement, the cleanliness of execution, and the ability to control the body. Day by day, it becomes clear how well an artist masters themselves and how precisely they are able to perform the steps.

But then, of course, external expressiveness, manner of presentation, the harmony of the body and face, and artistry are also important. All of this together creates a complete image of the dancer.

What would you like to wish the participants before the next stage of the competition?

I would wish them simply to enjoy the stage. Whether they win or not is not the most important thing. What matters is that they are here, that they are taking part in the competition, and of course, it is a great honor to dance on the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre.

The International Ballet Competition appears not only as a contest of technique and endurance, but also as a space where the artist’s personality, inner composure, and ability to remain alive on stage become especially visible. For young dancers, these few minutes become a test not only of professional preparation, but also of their ability to withstand nerves, hear the music, feel the stage, and speak about themselves through the language of dance.

And perhaps this is the competition’s greatest value: it reveals not only the winners, but also future artistic destinies.

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Photo: Stanislav Ivanov Journalist: Nina Teseyko