"The main thing is to dance for the audience and for yourself": Participants on the first round of the XV International Ballet Competition in Moscow

On June 27, the first round of the junior and senior groups took place at the International Ballet Competition.

For the participants, this is not only an opportunity to demonstrate their technique and artistry in front of the jury, but also a rare chance to step onto the legendary stage, experience its scale, and cope with the excitement that inevitably accompanies a competitive performance.

We spoke with the younger group participants and asked them about their preparation, favorite variations, first impressions, and what participating in the competition means to them.

Son Yunju, Republic of Korea

How do you cope with anxiety before a performance? Do you have a ritual, thought, or mindset? Before going out, I try to take a few deep breaths and mentally go through the variation again.

What's your favorite variation? My favorite variation is Odile's from Swan Lake, which I performed in the first round of the competition. I love that it allows you to showcase both charisma and elegance. It's very expressive and technically challenging.

What does participating in this competition mean to you? It's a great honor for me to dance on this stage. Many ballerinas dream of this, but not everyone gets the opportunity, so participating in the International Ballet Competition is very important to me.

Vera Gaevski, USA

Tell me a little about yourself. My name is Vera Gaevsky, I'm seventeen years old. I represent the USA. My teachers are Svetlana Pavlova and Natalia Skobyakova. I study at International City School in Atlanta.

In a competition performance, you have to show everything you can in a few minutes. What's the hardest thing to convey in that short time? The hardest thing is not to get nervous or tense. This is crucial because the audience wants to see the character, the image I'm projecting. And, of course, I have to try to execute all the elements beautifully. The main thing is to dance for the audience and for myself.

What was the most challenging thing on this legendary stage? Probably the spins. The stage is rolling, and I usually practice on a flat surface. The first time I tried my variation here, I immediately felt the difference: it was hard to maintain the axis, and the spins weren't coming out as usual. But we were given time to rehearse both at the Moscow State Academic Choreography Academy and on the Main Stage, and that really helped. The second time around, it was already better. I'm so glad we had this opportunity.

Is there a role or variation you're particularly attached to right now? My dream is "La Bayadère," especially the role of Nikiya. I love this ballet very much. If I were ever to dance Nikiya, it would be one of the most important events in my life. And, of course, Odette-Odile is also a wonderful role. It's very challenging, but worth it. The first round of the competition continues today. We wish all the participants good luck, confidence, and inspiration on stage!

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Photo: Tina Berezhnaya

Interviewed by: Nina Teseyko