Contemporary Ballet Artist is a competition and training event that supports the development of pre-professional dancers across the related styles of neo-classical ballet, contemporary ballet and contemporary dance. The programme is designed to nurture versatility, creativity and performance quality throughout the competition process.
Selection
Dancers are selected from a Semi-Finals workshop class. Those selected who accept their place in the Contemporary Ballet Artist Finals are then sent video links to learn four solos in advance of the coaching day.
Coaching Day
Participants attend a coaching day and receive specialist attention from the artists and choreographers linked to each solo. The day is designed to develop technical versatility, artistic expression and performance confidence while introducing dancers to a range of contemporary ballet styles and choreographic approaches.
Finals Performance
At the Finals, dancers perform two of the four solos and participate in the group dance, 'Together'. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded in recognition of individual achievement. Depending on support from external sponsors, additional awards may include early entry certificates, bursaries, scholarships and work placements.
Gold Medal
Exceptional level of technique, musicality and artistry
Silver Medal
Excellent level of technique, musicality and artistry
Bronze Medal
Good level of technique, musicality and artistry
Categories
Mid
All dancers born in 2012 and 2013
Seniors
All dancers born in 2011 or earlier
There is no upper age limit; however, competitors must not hold or have held a professional contract.
12:00 Registration
12:30-13:00 Warm-up
13:00-14:00 ‘Together’ Rehearsal
14:15-15:15 Section A Solo - MIDS
15:15-16:15 Section A Solo - SENIORS
16:30-17:30 Section B Solo - MIDS
17:30-18:30 Section B Solo - SENIORS
18:30-19:15 'Together' Rehearsal
19:30 Performance and Awards
Link to our BGP website here
Photo by Laura Mumby
Sindy Monson is Artistic Director and Choreographer of Balletto Monson, where she is recognised for her distinctive choreographic voice. With more than 30 years of professional experience, she creates work that blends classical and contemporary ballet with theatrical, cinematic, and interdisciplinary influences.
Beginning her career as a professional dancer with classical and contemporary dance companies, Sindy has since established herself as an award-winning choreographer and educator. Her work has been created for soloists through to large ensemble casts and spans stage, screen, and mixed-media productions, often developed in collaboration with composers and visual artists.
Alongside her creative practice, Sindy founded Ballet Academy Scotland and the Ballet Grand Prix, has lectured internationally, and trained generations of dancers. Today, through Balletto Monson, she continues to redefine contemporary ballet by creating innovative works that challenge traditional boundaries while remaining rooted in technical excellence.
Photo by Yellow Belly
Constance Devernay-Laurence is a Principal dancer, actress, yoga instructor and ballet coach, currently dancing with London City Ballet.
Born in France, Constance joined Scottish Ballet in 2008 after graduating from English National Ballet School, promoted to Soloist in 2014 and Principal in 2016. She has performed the works of choreographers including Kenneth MacMillan, David Dawson, George Balanchine, Christopher Bruce, Peter Darrell, Crystal Pite, Christopher Hampson and Helen Pickett. She left Scottish Ballet in June 2023 to pursue a career on screen and on stage internationally, and features as Mélanie in the Prime Video series Étoile. In 2022 she won the National Dance Critics' Circle Award for Best Female Classical Performance for Swanilda in Coppélia.
Passionate about sharing her expertise, Constance has taught for Studio Wayne McGregor, English National Ballet School, London Vocational Ballet School, Rambert School, NEBT, Acosta Dance Centre and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and is now course leader for Ballet Nights Masterclasses. She holds a Yoga Level 3 Instructor diploma and a BSc in Sport, Fitness and Coaching.
Senior Medals - 2 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze
Mid Medals -2 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze
1 professional work placement with Scottish Dance Theatre
1 Professional work placement with BalletMar
3 Professional work placements with Balletto Monson
2 Intensive placements with scholarship for Ballettschule Theatertanz Basel
1 Full-time place with Teatro Golden Dance Roma, with a bursary
1 Intensive placement with scholarship for Teatro Golden Dance Roma
1 Photoshoot with Dance Photographer Laura Mumby
6 places on Youth Programmes/Associates
6 places on Summer Intensives with bursaries
Senior Medals - 2 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze
Mid Medals - 1 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze
1 professional work placement with Scottish Dance Theatre
1 Professional work placement with Ballet D'Jerri
1 Professional work placement with BalletMar
3 Professional work placements with Balletto Monson
3 Discount vouchers for Move Dancewear
5 Places on Associate Programmes
10 Places for Full-time Training Courses
8 Places for the Elisabetta Terabust Awards in Rome
8 Places for the International Dance Festival in Siderno