2025/26

SEMI- FINALS WORKSHOP

Sindy Monson

Constance Devernay-Laurence

Liam Woodvine

Willow Monson

Our 2025/6 Semi-Finals Workshop Leaders

Sindy Monson is the co-director of Ballet Grand Prix and Contemporary Ballet Artist, as well as the founder and choreographer for Balletto Monson. Through Balletto Monson, she creates bold, genre-crossing works that reimagines ballet for today’s audiences while building on its classical roots. With over three decades of experience as a choreographer, dancer, and educator, Sindy is recognised for her innovative voice in contemporary ballet and looks forward to working with the semi-finalists at this year’s event.

Constance Devernay-Laurence is a Principal dancer and co-director of Ballet Grand Prix and Contemporary Ballet Artist. Renowned for her versatility on stage, she has danced leading classical and contemporary roles worldwide and won the 2022 Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for Best Female Classical Performance. She also appears in the Prime Video series Étoile, and as a coach and teacher, she inspires the next generation of dancers with the same passion that drives her own stage and screen career.

Liam Woodvine is a contemporary dancer and choreographer born and raised in Barbados. His dance journey began and matured at the dance school founded by his mother on the island, and continued at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) where he completed the BFA dance program with distinction. Since graduating in 2022, Liam has performed as a freelance dancer throughout the Caribbean, Canada and Europe, participating in productions and festivals including: Ballet Nights, BRÜCKEREI, Fall For Dance North, Lisa Simpson Inclusive Dance and Carifesta XV. He is currently based in London, where he continues to share his love of the art form and playful contempt for the weather!

Willow Monson is an emerging choreographer and dancer with Balletto Monson, creating original works while performing. Known for her dynamic, expressive movement, she has danced leading roles on stage and screen, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Orion’s Belt, Cinderella, Les Sylphides, and the dance film Pie Jesu. Recognised for her creativity, she has won multiple choreographic awards and continues to push the boundaries of dance with bold, inventive work. After receiving Gold at last year’s Contemporary Ballet Artist, Willow returns this year to share her talents with rising artists.

Our 2025/6 Choreographers and Adjudicators

Photo Rimbaud Patron

Born in Quimper, France, Constant Vigier graduated from Paris Opera Ballet School and performed all around the world with Hamburg Ballet, Tivoli Copenhagen and Scottish Ballet. He started to choreograph under John Neumeier's supervision, and his works have been performed for Paris Opera Ballet, Ballet Nights, New English Ballet Theatre, as well as for museums and festivals. He also created short films that have been showed on Nowness and BBC. Recently, he collaborated with French pianist Claire-Marie Le Guay to bring their vision of Ravel's Daphnis and Chloé.

The Lark
First performed for Ballet Nights 06, The Cadogan Hall London, 4th September 2024

Music: The Lark, composed by Mikhail Glinka
Arranged for piano by Mily Balakirev and performed by: Evgeny Kissin

Photo Rimbaud Patron

Nicholas Shoesmith is Associate Choreographer at Scottish Ballet and Co-Director of Balletto Monson. A former Soloist with Scottish Ballet, he has performed works by leading choreographers including Crystal Pite and Matthew Bourne. His stage and digital creations, such as Trifecta, Odyssey, and The Fates, have been presented internationally. Alongside his freelance projects across dance, film, and interdisciplinary arts, Nicholas also teaches and mentors emerging artists worldwide.

Reiteration
Choreographed for: CBA 2026 Final

Music: Stars
Composer: Adrián Berenguer

Photo Laura Mumby

Sindy Monson is the co-director of Ballet Grand Prix and Contemporary Ballet Artist, as well as the founder and choreographer for Balletto Monson. Through Balletto Monson, she creates bold, genre-crossing works that reimagines ballet for today’s audiences while building on its classical roots. With over three decades of experience as a choreographer, dancer, and educator, Sindy is recognised for her innovative voice in contemporary ballet and looks forward to working with this year's Finalist.

Echo Lines
Choreographed for: CBA 2026 Final

Music: I am Stickman
Composer: René Aubry

Choreographer for 'Together'

Photo Valentina Savio

Willow Monson is an emerging choreographer and dancer with Balletto Monson, creating original works while performing. Known for her dynamic, expressive movement, she has danced leading roles on stage and screen, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Orion’s Belt, Cinderella, Les Sylphides, and the dance film Pie Jesu. Recognised for her creativity, she has won multiple choreographic awards and continues to push the boundaries of dance with bold, inventive work. After receiving Gold at last year’s Contemporary Ballet Artist, Willow returns this year to share her talents with rising artists.