February 10, 2025
SEOUL – Park Youn-jae, a 16 year-old ballerino, became the first South Korean male dancer to win the Prix de Lausanne 2025, a prestigious competition for young ballet dancers aged 15 to 18.
After the six-day event, the Prix de Lausanne 2025 on Saturday announced nine scholarship recipients selected from 20 finalists.
Park, a student of Seoul Arts High School, also took home the Best Young Talent Award. Another Korean dancer Kim Bo-gyeon of Busan Arts High School received the 8th Scholarship given by Fondation Anita et Werner Damm-Etienne.
Launched in 1973, the international dance competition for young dancers offers scholarships granting free tuition in a world-renowned dance school or dance company.
In 1985, famed ballerina Kang Sue-jin, the artistic director of the Korea National Ballet, became the first scholarship winner of The Prix de Lausanne.
In his acceptance speech in Korean Park said, “Since I started ballet at 5, the Prix de Lausanne has been my dream stage. Simply standing here is a huge honor. I want to thank my teachers, my sister and everyone who has supported me.”