Radiant with starlight and blending the essence of East and West, the Beijing International Ballet Competition for Dance Schools and Dance Performance 2025—hosted by the Beijing Municipal Education Commission and organized by the Beijing Dance Academy (BDA)—came to a successful close on the evening of October 26. A total of 163 contestants, teachers, and students from 21 countries and regions around the world took to the stage, presenting a splendid ballet gala that seamlessly combined education, art, and culture into one grand ballet celebration.
Distinguished guests attending the awards ceremony and Gala closing performance included representatives from the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, the Embassies of South Africa and Kazakhstan in China, as well as delegations from Beijing Normal University, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (UK), the Kazakh National Academy of Choreography, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and ballet companies such as the Liaoning Ballet. Also in attendance were officials from the Haidian Public Security Sub-bureau, local subdistrict offices, and other partner organizations, together with international ballet experts serving as judges, and distinguished dance educators and top performers participating in the International Dance Masters Workshop and World Dance Education Exchange Showcase. All gathered to witness this moment of shared artistic brilliance.
Li Yi, Deputy Secretary of the Education Commission of Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and Director of the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, announced the closing of the Beijing International Ballet Competition for Dance Schools and Dance Performance and delivered a speech. He remarked that as an international brand event with nearly two decades of history, the Competition vividly embodies Beijing’s commitment to educational openness and the promotion of mutual learning among civilizations. It also serves as an important bridge connecting Chinese dance education with the global stage. Li expressed the hope that artists and young dancers from around the world will continue to use dance as a universal language—deepening exchanges, enhancing mutual understanding, and enriching the bonds among peoples with the warmth and beauty of art, thereby contributing enduring strength to friendship among nations.
Xu Rui, President of the BDA, noted that this year’s competition fully embodied the “encounter” and “fusion” of art. Dancers from around the world not only showcased the profound heritage of classical ballet but also demonstrated the innovative vitality of contemporary expression. Through its diverse formats, the event has brought ballet beyond the theater and closer to the public—fulfilling the original aspiration of “dancing for the people,” while injecting fresh momentum into Beijing’s development as a cultural center. Xu added that the Beijing Dance Academy will continue to open its doors, welcoming dance enthusiasts from across the globe to the BDA for cultural exchange and study, joining hands to explore new horizons for the art of dance.
Nina Ananiashvili, Chair of the Jury, Artistic Director of the State Ballet of Georgia, and recipient of four international awards, delivered a speech on behalf of the jury and announced the list of winners. She noted that the judges not only focused on the contestants’ technical skills but also valued their artistic expressiveness and growth potential. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the BDA Organizing Committee for its meticulous efforts, which made this grand international ballet event possible.
After six days of intense competition and artistic exchange, dancers from various countries built friendships through ballet. Across Groups A, B, and C, a total of seven first prizes, eight second prizes, and eight third prizes were awarded, along with the Beijing Dance Academy Grand Prize. Leaders from the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, the BDA, and members of the expert jury presented the awards to the winners.
Beijing Dance Academy Grand Prize
Cao Yufei (China)
Syrmanov Abilmansur
（哈萨克斯坦）
First Prize Winners
Group A
Zhang Gehan (China)
Parker Rozzano-Keefe (United States)
Group B
Huang Jingxinyu (China)
Yang Tongyu (China)
Group C
Anne Takahashi (Japan)
Liu Xiner (China)
Syrmanov Abilmansur (Kazakhstan)
Second Prize Winners
Group A
Liu Yuxin (China)
Gao Dongjue (China)
Group B
Luo Wanning (China)
Minori de Silva (United States)
Lu Haowen (China)
Wei Ziran (China)
Group C
Xu Yuexin (China)
Liu Jikai (China)
Third Prize Winners
Group A
Zhang Xuman (China)
Chen Yanlong (China)
Group B
An Yuerong (China)
Cao Haoyu (China)
Group C
Chen Manting (China)
Victoria Carrillo (United States)
Sota Teranishi (Japan)
Yuto Teranishi (Japan)
Congratulations to All Award Winners!
Closing Gala: A Grand Finale
At the closing gala, international ballet stars performed alongside the competition winners, showcasing the inclusive and captivating charm of ballet.
Sleeping Beauty Pas de Deux
Huang Jingxinyu and Cao Haoyu
《Solano》
Solano
Yang Tongyu
Satanilla Female Variation
Liu Xiner
Syrmanov Abilmansur
Giselle Act.2 Albrecht Variation
Syrmanov Abilmansur
Minori de Silva
Sleeping Beauty Act.1 Variation
Minori de Silva
A·I
Gao Dongjue
Grand Pas Classique Female Variation
Zhang Gehan
Parker Rozzano-Keefe
Don Quixote Act.3 Variation
Parker Rozzano-Keefe
La Esmeradel Female variation
Anne Takahashi
La Esmeradel Acteon variation
Cao Yufei
Special Guest Performance
Adagietto from Mahler’s Symphony No. 5
Choreography: John Neumeier
Performed by: Hamburg Ballet, Germany
Lin Xue and Matias Oberlin
TATA
Choreography: Fei Bo
Performed by: Ballet Major Students, The Affiliated Secondary School of Beijing Dance Academy
Cultural Exchange: Celebrating Beauty in Diversity
During the competition, a variety of cultural exchange activities were held concurrently, providing participants and dance enthusiasts with enriching opportunities for learning and dialogue. Together, they painted a vivid picture of the harmonious coexistence and shared beauty of world civilizations.
At the BDA Dance Forum, 12 experts and scholars from six countries engaged in in-depth discussions on the theme “The Shared Future of Dance: Identity, Integration, and Transcendence.” They shared the latest research findings and practical experiences in dance and dance education across cultural contexts, joining hands to build a community with a shared future for dance.
The “Beauty of Harmony” World Dance Education Exchange Performance brought together 12 art institutions from nine countries. Through 12 distinctive performances, the showcase highlighted the interweaving of diverse cultures, collectively composing a splendid chapter in the story of dance education. The performances embodied the spirit of mutual integration and collaborative advancement, leaving a profound impression on every member of the audience.
During the Cultural Tour and Exchange activities, international dance masters and participants visited cultural landmarks in Haidian District, such as the Purple Bamboo Park and the Summer Palace. They engaged closely with local dance enthusiasts, immersing themselves in the profound integration of ballet and traditional Chinese culture, together composing a vivid chapter in the story of mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations.
In the Master Workshops, participants—including competitors, professional dancers, university art troupe students in Beijing, international students, and academy students—joined classes led by ten renowned masters from around the world. They experienced a rich diversity of dance traditions, from Chinese classical and folk dance to ballet, Slovak folk dance, and contemporary dance, appreciating the artistic beauty that transcends the boundaries of language.
Media Spotlight: Widespread Attention
Since its launch, this edition of the Beijing International Ballet Competition has garnered extensive media attention. More than a dozen outlets, including Xinhua News Agency, Guangming Daily, People’s Daily Online, China Daily, CGTN, China Culture Daily, Beijing TV, Beijing Daily, The Beijing News, and Beijing Youth Daily, covered the event from multiple perspectives. Key sessions were live-streamed on platforms such as Xinhua, Beijing Daily, Haidian Zizhu, and the BDA’s official accounts, attracting over 410,000 online viewers and inspiring wider public interest in the art of ballet. The Converged Media Center of Haidian District provided comprehensive, in-depth coverage, fully showcasing the competition’s far-reaching social influence and artistic vitality.
Behind the Scenes
Although the Beijing International Ballet Competition for Dance Schools and Dance Performance 2025 has come to a close, the artistic resonance and cultural echoes it inspired will continue to reverberate. This year’s competition marked the first edition since the establishment of the World Dance Education Alliance. In this dialogue of civilizations through the medium of ballet, dancers from around the world spoke through movement — transcending borders, connecting hearts, and fostering mutual understanding and empathy across cultures. During the event, several Alliance member institutions reached cooperation agreements and signed memoranda of understanding to jointly advance the integration and development of global dance education. More than a bridge linking Chinese and international art, the competition also told the world a vivid story of contemporary China — one of openness, inclusiveness, and innovative growth — through both “bringing in” and “going global” cultural exchange.
Looking ahead, the Beijing Dance Academy will continue to develop high-level international competitions and showcase platforms, bringing together top dance education resources and nurturing young talent. The BDA is committed to promoting Chinese dance on the global stage, actively participating in international cultural and artistic dialogues, contributing to Beijing’s development as a cultural and international exchange hub, and enhancing the global dissemination and influence of Chinese civilization—bringing the wisdom and strength of Chinese dance to the shaping of a shared future for humanity.
Source: Beijing Dance Academy Official Website News Edition No. 1881 (Issue No. 153, 2025)
