Participants

Born in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on 29 September 2007, Alikhan Akmatov is a second-year student at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, where he studies with Denis Medvedev.

His repertoire includes Harlequin and the Spanish Doll in The Nutcracker, the variations of Franz and Franz’s Friends in Coppélia, Harlequin in Harlequinade, Lucien in Paquita, Frondoso in Laurencia, the Merchant in the Pas d’esclave from Le Corsaire, a solo in the Sabre Dance from Gayane, participation in Class-Concert in Alexander Zaitsev’s version, and What Does the Coming Day Hold for Me? choreographed by J. P. Cook.

He has appeared in academy concerts on the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre.

His awards include a First Degree Diploma at the I Uluu Eles International Ballet Competition in Bishkek (2024) and a diploma at the Yuri Grigorovich International Competition Young Ballet of the World in Sochi (2025).

Born in Oakville, Canada, on 18 September 2009, Erin Alarie trains at the Oakville School of Classical Ballet.

Her repertoire includes the Sugar Plum Fairy Pas de Deux, Variation and Coda in The Nutcracker, the Snow Queen in The Nutcracker, the Lead Snowflake, the Lead Waltz of the Flowers and the Lead Mirliton in The Nutcracker, among other roles.

Her awards include Third Place in Senior Classical at Youth Grand Prix in Paris, France (2026), Second Place in Senior Classical at Youth America Grand Prix in Salt Lake City, USA (2025), and First Place in Junior Classical at Youth America Grand Prix in Chicago, USA.

Born in Inner Mongolia, China, on 6 August 2009, Aodangerile entered the Secondary School Affiliated to Beijing Dance Academy at the age of ten. Over six years of study, she trained in classical, contemporary and character dance.

Her repertoire includes Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Odette-Odile in Swan Lake, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Paquita, and other roles.

She is a laureate of the Vienna International Ballet and Contemporary Dance Competition (2023, First Prize in Contemporary Dance and the Jury Special Prize in Ballet), the Asian Elite Dance Competition (2023, Second Prize), and the Ailian Cup Youth Ballet Grand Prix (2023–2025, Second Prize). In 2026, she participated in the Prix de Lausanne.

Born in Moscow on 2 October 2009, Egor Arkhipov is a first-year student at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, where he studies with Georgy Gusev.

He has appeared in productions at the Bolshoi Theatre, the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theatre and the Kremlin Ballet Theatre. He took part in the world premiere of Orlando choreographed by Christian Spuck, performed the role of Fritz in Yuri Possokhov’s The Nutcracker, and participated in the revival of Vladimir Vasiliev’s Anyuta.

His awards include a Special Prize in the Big and Small television project on Russia–K (2020), a Second Degree Diploma at the VII DANCEMOSCOW International Competition of Classical, Contemporary Stage and Folk-Stage Choreography (2021), a diploma at the All-Russian Competition of Ballet Artists and Choreographers in Yoshkar-Ola (2025), and a diploma at the Yuri Grigorovich International Competition Young Ballet of the World in Sochi (2025).

Born in Samara, on 20 March 2008, Angelina Baldina is a second-year student at the L. M. Lavrovsky Moscow Choreographic School.

Her repertoire includes the Grand Pas from Paquita, the Pas de Deux from The Nutcracker, and variations from Coppélia, Don Quixote, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Le Corsaire, La Bayadère, Raymonda, and The Pharaoh’s Daughter.

In 2025, she took part in a masterclass led by Marina Drozdova. In 2024, she appeared in the Big and Small television project on the Russia–K channel.

She is a laureate of the All-Russian Competition of Ballet Artists and Choreographers (2025, Third Prize in Classical Dance) and the XXII Youth Delphic Games of Russia (2024, Bronze Medal in Classical Dance).

Born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on 28 June 2007, Buyantogtokh Bat-Amar studied classical ballet at the Mongolian Conservatory from 2018 to 2025. After graduation, he worked with Victoria Ballet Company in Canada.

In 2025, he performed the leading role in The Little Humpbacked Horse and Wonderland with the Elit Ballet Company in Daegu, Republic of Korea. Since spring 2026, he has continued his career with the Mongolian State Opera and Ballet Theatre, where he had already appeared during his student years in productions of The Nutcracker, Giselle, The Little Humpbacked Horse and Spartacus. He also performed in productions staged by the Mongolian Conservatory.

He is a laureate of the World Dance Grand Prix Mongolia (2024, Third Prize) and the Orleu International Competition of Choreographic Educational Institutions in Almaty (2025, Third Prize in the Duet category).

Born in Barnaul, Altai Krai, on 15 February 2008, Bogdan Boyarkin is a third-year student at the Novosibirsk State Choreographic School, where he studies with Andrei Bespalov.

His repertoire includes the variations of Ali and Lankendem from Le Corsaire, Philippe from The Flames of Paris, Basilio and Espada from Don Quixote, Franz from Coppélia, Vayou from The Talisman, the Chinese Dance from The Nutcracker, and What If… choreographed by K. Khomutova.

He is a laureate of the All-Russian Competition of Ballet Artists and Choreographers in Yoshkar-Ola (2025, Third Prize, junior category) and the national competition Young Talents of Russia (2025, First Prize). He received a diploma at the All-Russian Competition of Young Performers Russian Ballet in Moscow (2026).

Born in Zhejiang Province, China, on 26 May 2009, Ziqiao Cheng is a student at the Secondary School Affiliated to Beijing Dance Academy.

His repertoire includes Harlequinade, The Flames of Paris, Le Corsaire, and the contemporary works The End of the Sea, What If, and String.

He won First Prize in both the Contemporary Solo and Contemporary Pas de Deux categories at the Vienna International Ballet Competition in 2024.

Born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on 25 July 2008, Burte-ujin Davaadorj is a student at the Mongolian Conservatory, where she studies with Yesunzaya Sukhee.

Her repertoire includes Masha and Little Masha in The Nutcracker.

Her awards include Third Prize at the Korea International Ballet Competition (2022), Third Prize at the Orleu International Competition of Choreographic Educational Institutions in Almaty, and finalist status at Youth Grand Prix Korea (2024).

Born in Arizona, USA, on 2 February 2007, Darya Derkach began studying ballet at the age of five under the guidance of Georgi Rusafov. After twelve years of training, she joined Ballet Arizona Studio Company in 2024.

Her repertoire includes Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Odile in Swan Lake, and Swanhilda in Coppélia. She also performs in Ballet Arizona productions of The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Western Symphony, and Scotch Symphony.

She is a laureate of the TANZOLYMP International Dance Competition in Berlin (Second Prize) and a finalist at Youth America Grand Prix and the World Ballet Competition.

Born on 20 February 2010 in Shanghai, Xiner Liu began her professional ballet training at the age of ten when she entered Shanghai Dance School in 2020.

She is a laureate of the World Ballet Grand Prix (2024, First Prize) and the IX Beijing International Ballet Competition for Dance Schools and Dance Performance (2025, First Prize). In 2025, she placed among the Top 12 dancers in the Junior Division at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in Tampa, USA, and in 2026 advanced to the final round of the Prix de Lausanne.

Born in the state of Georgia, USA, on 13 January 2009, Vera Gaevski began studying ballet at the age of five. She later trained in a number of prestigious ballet programmes, including the Académie Princesse Grace in Monaco. At the age of fourteen, she entered the Junior Professional Training Program at Ellison Ballet in New York and subsequently continued her studies at the International City School of Ballet / Ballet Institute in Atlanta, Georgia.

Her repertoire includes variations from La Bayadère (Snake Dance), Esmeralda, Paquita, Swan Lake, Raymonda, The Sleeping Beauty, and La Ventana.

She is a laureate of the Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition (Third Prize) and the Universal Ballet Competition (2024, Second Prize).

Born in Madrid, Spain, on 26 June 2006, Alberto Gil Vicente graduated with honours from the Professional Dance Conservatory of Madrid. From 2021 to 2025, he trained at The Royal Ballet School in London, also graduating with honours. On scholarships, he attended short-term courses at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of American Ballet Theatre, and the Académie Princesse Grace in Monaco.

During his studies, he performed the Blue Boy in The Skaters and the Princess Florine and Bluebird Pas de Deux from The Sleeping Beauty. Since 2025, he has been a dancer with Boston Ballet II.

He is a laureate of Youth America Grand Prix (Grand Prix, junior category), the International Ballet Competition of Havana (First Prize), TANZOLYMP in Berlin (First Prize), the Sibiu Ballet Competition in Romania (First Prize), and Dance Open America (First Prize).

Born in Moscow on 10 July 2008, Andrey Grachev is a second-year student at the Moscow Choreographic School of the Gzhel Dance Theatre, where he studies with Alexey Borzov.

He is a scholarship recipient of the Svetlana Zakharova Foundation and a participant in the Big and Small television project on the Russia–K channel.

His awards include First Prize in Classical Dance at the DANCEMOSCOW International Moscow Competition of Classical, Contemporary Stage and Folk-Stage Choreography (2025, Moscow), Third Prize at the All-Russian Competition of Ballet Artists in Yoshkar-Ola (2025), Second Prize (junior category) at the VIII Yuri Grigorovich International Competition Young Ballet of the World (2025, Sochi), and Second Prize at the All-Russian Competition of Young Performers Russian Ballet (2026, Moscow).

Born in Yakutsk, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), on 10 November 2010, Alexey Khorbokov is a fifth-year student of the Yakut Ballet School (College) named after A. and N. Poselsky, where he studies with Ayal Skrybykin.

He performs children’s roles in productions of the D.K. Sivtsev–Suorun Omolloon State Opera and Ballet Theatre of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). His repertoire also includes variations from classical ballets and concert pieces. He is a recipient of a grant from the Target Fund for Future Generations of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) (2024).

He is a laureate of the The Nutcracker Invites International Children’s Ballet Festival-Competition in Yekaterinburg (2024, Third Degree Diploma) and the IX Orleu International Competition of Choreographic Educational Institutions in Kazakhstan (2025, Second Prize, Classical Dance).

Born in the United States, on 8 October 2008, Crystal Huang began dancing at the age of three at Yoko’s Dance and Performing Arts Academy in Fremont, California. She later trained at The Rock Center for Dance in Las Vegas, Nevada School of Dance, and Bayer Ballet Academy in Mountain View, California. She attended summer intensives at The Juilliard School and the Netherlands Dance Theatre, and in 2025 trained at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of American Ballet Theatre. She is currently a student at San Francisco Ballet School.

In 2021, she performed the role of Clara in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in New York.

A three-time recipient of The Dance Awards Best Dancer title, she has also received the NYCDA Outstanding Dancer and Radix Nationals Core Performer awards. She is a laureate of Prix de Lausanne (2024), the Youth America Grand Prix International Finals (2024, Silver Medal), and the South African International Ballet Competition (2024, Grand Prix).

Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 27 February 2008, Lora Ilova studied at Masha Ilieva Ballet School in Sofia from 2015 to 2018 and at the National School of Dance Art in Sofia from 2018. Since 2024, she has been studying at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, where she is currently a first-year student under Anna Ivanova.

Her stage repertoire includes the Dream Adagio from Raymonda, the Le Jardin Animé scene from Le Corsaire, the Waltz of the Snowflakes in The Nutcracker, and the Friends in Coppélia.

Her awards include Second Prize at the International Dance Competition in Spoleto, Italy (2022, Classical Dance), Second Prize at TANZOLYMP in Berlin (2022, Contemporary Dance), the Margarita Trayanova Special Prize (2024, Ruse, Bulgaria), the Special Prize of the Union of Bulgarian Music and Dance Artists (2022, 2023), and Third Prize at the Sara-Nora Prima International Ballet Competition (2024, Burgas, Bulgaria).

Born in Buguruslan, Orenburg Oblast, Russia, on 28 November 2007, Valeria Ivanova is a third-year student at the Samara Choreographic School, where she studies with Tatyana Krasilnikova and Olga Korotkova. She performs in productions of the Samara Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Her repertoire includes solo roles in The Snow Queen, Theatrical Fairy Tales, The Nutcracker, and other productions.

She is a laureate of the Baltic Pearl International Competition-Festival (2020, First Degree Laureate), the national competition Young Talents of Russia (2024, Third Prize), the VI International Youth Classical Dance Competition The Nutcracker Invites (2022, First Degree Laureate), and the Revival International Competition-Festival (2020, First Degree Award).

Born on 22 August 2006 in Guangdong, China, Wenrui Jia graduated with honours from Shenzhen Art School in 2023 and was admitted with honours to the Shanghai Theatre Academy in the same year, majoring in Ballet Performance.

She is a laureate of the Dubai International Dance Competition (2025, Second Prize) and the 22nd Seoul International Dance Competition (2025, Third Prize in Contemporary Dance).

Born in the Republic of Korea on 23 December 2010, Haram Jin began studying ballet at the age of seven. She graduated from Kaywon Arts Middle School and is currently a student at Kaywon Arts High School. She also performs with Korean Youth Ballet Stars.

Her repertoire includes Satanella, Coppélia, Fairy Doll, Harlequinade, and the Snow Fairy in The Nutcracker.

She is a laureate of the Korea International Ballet Competition (2024, Second Prize), Youth America Grand Prix Korea (2025, Third Prize), and the South African International Ballet Competition (2025, First Prize). She also received the Art Director’s Award at the Seoul International Dance Competition in 2024.

Born in Busan, Republic of Korea, on 19 August 2008, Yoonseo Jung graduated with honours from Kyung Hee Arts Middle School and Kyung Hee Arts High School and was admitted early to the Department of Dance at Kyung Hee University in 2026. Her repertoire includes variations from La Fille mal gardée, The Talisman, Esmeralda, Coppélia, Swan Lake (Odile), Don Quixote (Kitri), and other classical ballets.

Her achievements include a diploma at the XIV International Ballet Dancers and Choreographers Competition in Moscow (2022), participation in the Youth America Grand Prix Finals (2022), and Second Prize at the Korea International Ballet Competition (2022, 2024).

Born in Gumi, Republic of Korea, on 26 July 2009, Yoon Ju Son is a second-year student at the Novosibirsk State Choreographic School, where she studies with Anastasia Danilova.

Her repertoire includes Odile’s Variation from Swan Lake, Gamzatti’s Variation from La Bayadère, Kitri’s Variation from Don Quixote, Medora’s Variation from Le Corsaire, Esmeralda’s Variation from Esmeralda, Flora’s Variation from The Awakening of Flora, and other classical works.

She is a laureate of the Korea International Ballet Competition in Seoul (2024, Third Prize).

Born in Novosibirsk on 17 January 2009, Ekaterina Kakorina is a second-year student at the Novosibirsk State Choreographic School, where she studies with Anastasia Danilova.

She performs in productions of the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre, appearing as Little Masha and in the Pas de Trois in The Nutcracker, as well as Owl Sava in Winnie-the-Pooh.

Her repertoire also includes the Medora variation from Le Corsaire, the Florina and Aurora variations from The Sleeping Beauty, Swanilda from Coppélia, Aspicia from The Pharaoh’s Daughter, and a variation from William Tell.

She is a scholarship recipient of the Svetlana Zakharova Foundation and a laureate of the national competition Young Talents of Russia (2024, Second Prize) and the IV L. Sakhyanova and P. Abasheev International Competition-Festival in Ulan-Ude (2025, Third Prize).

Born in Alicante, Spain, on 1 December 2009, Andrey Kaverznikov-Rodriguez has studied dance since the age of six. At the age of nine, he won First Prize at the Vaslav Nijinsky Choreographic Competition.

From the age of ten to thirteen, he performed the title role in the musical Billy Elliot in Madrid, Spain. At thirteen, he moved to Belarus and entered the K. I. Lukashevich Gymnasium-College of Arts in Bobruisk. Since the age of fourteen, he has studied at the Belarusian State Choreographic Gymnasium-College and is currently a second-year student.

He is a laureate of the X Yuri Grigorovich International Competition Young Ballet of the World in Sochi (2025, Third Prize).

Born in Seongnam, Republic of Korea, on 12 August 2009, Haeun Kim has been a performer with Korea Youth Ballet Stars since 2022. She has danced leading roles, including Anne in Anne Frank. She is currently an eleventh-grade student at Kaywon Arts High School in the Republic of Korea.

Her repertoire includes Odile in Act III of Swan Lake, the variation from Grand Pas Classique, Kitri in Act III of Don Quixote, Gamzatti in Act II of La Bayadère, Medora in Le Corsaire, the Sugar Plum Fairy and Reed Flute in The Nutcracker, Columbine in Harlequinade, the Fairy Doll in Fairy Doll, and other roles.

She is a laureate of the World Ballet Grand Prix (2022, First Prize), the Maria Antonietta Berlusconi International Classical Dance Award in Italy (2022 and 2023, First Prize, Junior Division), Youth Grand Prix Korea Regional (2025, Second Prize), the Scholarship International Ballet Competition (2025, First Prize and Scholarship), and the UNESCO International Ballet Competition (2025, Second Prize).

Born in the Republic of Korea on 22 November 2009, Sion Kim began studying ballet at the age of six. She has performed with the Busan Opera House Ballet Company and the Jeong Hyeong-il Ballet Company.

She is a laureate of TANZOLYMP in Berlin (2025, Gold Medal in Classical Dance and Silver Medal in Contemporary Dance) and the recipient of a Special Prize at the Seoul International Dance Competition.

Born in Hiroshima, Japan, on 20 March 2008, Sara Koura studied at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in St. Petersburg from 2022 to 2024. Since 2024, she has been studying at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography.

Her repertoire includes Kitri in Act III of Don Quixote, the Bluebird and Princess Florine Pas de Deux from The Sleeping Beauty, Esmeralda, Swanilda in Coppélia, the Chinese Doll in Fairy Doll, and the Snowflakes Waltz Soloist and Chinese Doll in The Nutcracker.

Her achievements include First Prize at the NAMUE International Ballet Competition in Hiroshima, Japan (2021, Junior category), First Prize, the Gold Star Award and a one-year scholarship to the Moscow State Academy of Choreography at the Educational Ballet Competition (2022), and First Prize in Classical Dance and Second Prize in Contemporary Dance at the Victoire Ballet Competition (2022).

Born in Moscow on 13 May 2007, Sergey Krinetsky is a third-year student at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, where he studies with Denis Medvedev.

His repertoire includes the Pas de Deux from The Flames of Paris; variations from Don Quixote, La Fille mal gardée, Coppélia, Esmeralda (Actaeon), The Talisman and Taras Bulba; the Chinese Dance and the Moor’s Dance from The Nutcracker; and the Jester in Swan Lake. As a student of the Academy, he has appeared in Bolshoi Theatre productions of Don Quixote, The Sleeping Beauty, The Pharaoh’s Daughter, Coppélia, La Sylphide and Paquita.

He is a laureate of the All-Russian Competition of Ballet Artists and Choreographers (2025, First Prize, Classical Dance, junior category), the X Yuri Grigorovich International Competition Young Ballet of the World in Sochi (2025, Third Prize, junior category), and the VII All-Russian Competition of Young Performers Russian Ballet in Moscow (2026, First Prize).

Born on 17 May 2010, Maria Laura Possato Garcia is a seventh-year student at the Bolshoi Theatre School in Joinville, Brazil. She performs in the school’s productions of The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, and dances Cupid in Don Quixote. She has also taken part in an international programme at The Royal Ballet School in London.

Her achievements include the MAB Italy Award in the junior category, Top 12 placement at the Youth America Grand Prix Virtual Competition, and participation in the Prix de Lausanne selection in Rio de Janeiro.

Born on 19 June 2007, Bingbing Li is a student of the Moscow State Academy of Choreography.

Her repertoire includes the variations of Medora and the Odalisque from Le Corsaire, Kitri’s variation from Act I of Don Quixote, Rita’s monologue from Act I of The Golden Age, and Secret, a contemporary piece choreographed by Konstantin Semyonov.

Born on 13 January 2007, Huiying Li entered the Liaoning Ballet School in 2018 and graduated in 2025. In the same year, she enrolled in the undergraduate programme of Beijing Dance Academy.

Her repertoire includes Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Kitri in Don Quixote, Giselle in Giselle, and other roles.

She is a laureate of the Liaoning Ballet Competition (2021, 2023 — Second Prize) and the Youth America Grand Prix Virtual Competition (2024, Senior Division — Second Prize).

Born in Guangdong Province, China, on 8 August 2009, Wenjun Luo began studying ballet at the age of eight and entered the Secondary School Affiliated to Beijing Dance Academy in 2020. Under the guidance of Shuang Hou and Vladimir Malakhov, she has developed a strong technical foundation and a distinctive artistic voice.

Her repertoire includes the Spanish Trio from The Nutcracker, as well as Paquita, Swan Lake, Chaconne, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Don Quixote, The Pharaoh’s Daughter, The Yellow River, and other works.

She has received numerous scholarships for training programmes at leading ballet institutions in Europe, Asia, and the United States. She is a laureate of the XI Vienna International Ballet Competition (2024, Silver Medal, Classical Ballet) and the Asian Elite Dance Competition (2020, Third Prize; 2022, First Prize, junior division).

Born in Elista, Republic of Kalmykia, on 21 May 2007, Yulia Mandzhieva is a third-year student at the Perm Choreographic School, where she studies with Nadezhda Stebletsova.

On the stage of the Perm Tchaikovsky Opera and Ballet Theatre, she has performed leading roles in the school’s productions, including Swanilda in Coppélia and the White Pearl in The Pearl.

She is a laureate of the VI International Competition The Nutcracker Invites in Yekaterinburg (2022, Second-Degree Diploma), the national competition Young Talents of Russia in Moscow (2023, Third-Degree Diploma), the XVIII Ekaterina Maximova Open Russian Ballet Competition Arabesque in Perm (2024, First Prize, junior group), and the All-Russian Competition of Ballet Artists and Choreographers in Yoshkar-Ola (2025, Third Prize, junior group).

Born in Maitland, Australia, on 2 March 2007, Kyra Martynov graduated from the Queensland Ballet Academy and participated in its Pre-Professional Program before being accepted to the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, from which she is due to graduate in June 2026.

Her repertoire includes the Czardas from Coppélia, the Adagio and Variation from Classical Pas de Deux, Masha in The Nutcracker, and the Adagio and Variation from La Fille mal gardée.

She achieved the highest overall examination result across all core subjects at the Queensland Ballet Academy and was awarded the inaugural Li Cunxin Scholarship.

Born in Novosibirsk on 11 September 2007, Ilya Milovanov is a third-year student at the Novosibirsk State Choreographic School, where he studies with Andrei Bespalov.

His repertoire includes variations from The Venetian Carnival, Esmeralda (Actaeon), The Flames of Paris, Don Quixote, La Sylphide, and Taras Bulba, as well as the contemporary piece Tango in the Rain.

He is a laureate of the IV L. Sakhyanova and P. Abasheev International Competition-Festival in Ulan-Ude (2025, Second Prize, senior group), the national competition Young Talents of Russia (2024, 2025, Second Prize), the X Yuri Grigorovich International Competition Young Ballet of the World in Sochi (2025, Second Prize), and the All-Russian Competition of Young Performers Russian Ballet in Moscow (2026, Third Prize). In 2025, he won the Classical Dance category of the Big and Small television project on the Russia–K channel.

Born on 1 April 2010, Sakura Nagai began studying ballet in Singapore in 2013. After moving to Japan in 2019, she continued her training at Panda Ballet School.

Her repertoire includes pas de deux from Esmeralda and Cavalry Halt, among other works.

Among her achievements are a place among the Top 12 dancers in the junior division at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York (2024), Second Prize at the Japan Grand Prix (2025), and Second Prize at Youth Grand Prix Japan (2026, senior division).

Born in Martín Coronado, Argentina, on 13 August 2008, Oriana Nicole Acuna Rojas is a seventh-year student in the Dance Department of the Higher Institute of Arts of Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. She also studies in the pre-professional programme for dancers at Bárbara Iacovone Studio.

She has appeared in productions at Teatro Colón, including Coppélia (2024, Waltz of the Hours), La Sylphide (2024), and The Nutcracker (2025, Sugar Plum Fairy).

She has participated in Danzamérica (2017), Youth America Grand Prix Argentina (2024), and Prix de Lausanne Brazil (2025, pre-selection).

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 8 December 2007, Zeinab Ntombifuthi Kone trained at Joburg Ballet Academy until 2024 and appeared in Joburg Ballet productions of Romeo and Juliet, Don Quixote, and The Nutcracker. In 2026, she graduated from the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of American Ballet Theatre.

She is a laureate of the Ailian Youth Grand Prix in Beijing (2023, First Prize), Youth America Grand Prix (2024, Third Prize and a scholarship to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School), and the E. John Busser Ballet Scholarship (2025).

Born on 16 July 2010 in Uijongbu (Kyong-Ki, Republic of Korea), Kunbyulbit Pak has studied at the Korea National Institute for Gifted in Arts (KNIGA) since 2020.

His repertoire includes Franz in Coppélia, Phoebus in Esmeralda, Colas in La Fille mal gardée, the Pas de Trois from Swan Lake and Paquita, Études, Prince Désiré in The Sleeping Beauty, the Drummer Boy in Graduation Ball, the Knight and the Mazurka in Raymonda, the Brown Boy in Dances at a Gathering, the Dance of the Mirlitons in The Nutcracker, and other roles.

He is a laureate of the Korea International Ballet Competition (2022, Gold Medal, pre-junior category), the 21st Seoul International Dance Competition (2024, First Prize, Ballet Pre-Junior 2 Male), Youth Grand Prix Korea (2025, Junior Grand Prix), and the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in Tampa (2025, First Prize, Junior Men’s Division).

Born on 16 November 2007 in Moscow, Konstantin Panasyuk is a second-year student at the Moscow State Choreographic School named after Leonid Lavrovsky.

His repertoire includes the Grand Pas from Paquita, the Pas de Deux from The Nutcracker, Franz in Coppélia, and variations from Raymonda, Giselle, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Marco Spada, and La Bayadère.

He is a diploma recipient of the VII All-Russian Competition of Young Performers Russian Ballet (2026), a Second Prize laureate of the All-Russian Competition of Ballet Artists and Choreographers (2025), a First Prize laureate of the VIII Open Festival of Choreographic Art Dance.ru, and a participant in the second round of the national competition Young Talents of Russia (2023).

Born in Moscow, on 7 June 2007, Daria Pankova studied at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography from 2018 and has continued her training at the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St Petersburg since 2021.

She has appeared in productions of the Bolshoi Theatre, the Mariinsky Theatre, and the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theatre, including La Bayadère (Manu), The Nutcracker (Little Masha, Pas de Trois, Nutcracker Doll), Don Quixote, and Paquita. Her repertoire also includes the French Doll and Spanish Doll, the Fairy Doll in Fairy Doll, the Bridesmaids in Wedding Dances, the Queen of the Waters Variation from the Grand Pas of Paquita, Masha the Princess in The Nutcracker, and the Classical Pas de Deux, among other works.

She is a laureate of the DANCEMOSCOW International Competition of Young Performers of Classical, Contemporary and Folk-Stage Dance in Moscow (2021, First Prize, Group 2, ensemble category) and the national competition Young Talents of Russia (2021).

Born in Athens, Greece, on 30 March 2008, Victoria Papakalodouka began studying ballet at the age of five at Aliki Diamadi Ballet School in Athens. At the age of nine, she moved to New York, where she trained at Eastern Ballet Academy. She later studied at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of American Ballet Theatre from the ages of twelve to thirteen before entering the Professional Training Program at Ellison Ballet, where she trained for three years.

She has performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and in 2025 was a member of the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company.

Her achievements include receiving the Natalia Makarova Award at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals (2024), First Prize at Youth America Grand Prix Tampa (2024), and the Grand Prix at ADC IBC (2023).

Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, on 15 July 2006, Nikoloz Paradashvili studied at the Vakhtang Chabukiani Tbilisi State Choreographic Academy under Nina Didebulidze. On her recommendation, he continued his training at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in St. Petersburg.

His repertoire includes Ali in Le Corsaire, Armen in Gayane, and the Spanish Dance in Cinderella.

Since 2025, he has been a ballet artist with the Mikhailovsky Theatre in St. Petersburg.

Born in Incheon, Republic of Korea, on 28 March 2010, Sihyun Park began studying ballet at the Lee Won-joo Ballet Academy at the age of eleven and continues his training there.

She participated in the Youth America Grand Prix Finals (2024), TANZOLYMP in Berlin (2025), and the Prix de Lausanne (2026).

Born on 5 September 2008 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Pedro Pereira de Sousa began dancing at the age of eight at Dimensione Danza. In 2022, he entered the Bolshoi Theatre School in Joinville, Brazil. He is currently in Maikon Golini’s graduating class.

He has appeared in the school’s productions of The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.

Born in California, USA, on 3 February 2010, Ekaterina Pichkova began studying classical ballet at the age of eight and trained at Osipova Ballet Academy.

Her repertoire includes Medora in Le Corsaire, Paquita in Paquita, Dulcinea in Don Quixote, the Queen of the Night in La Gioconda, a solo from Rossini Cards choreographed by Mauro Bigonzetti, Pas de Quatre choreographed by Leonid Yakobson, Flora in the Rosary pas de quatre from The Awakening of Flora, Frescoes in The Little Humpbacked Horse, Pièce d’Occasion choreographed by Xin Peng Wang, Stardust choreographed by K. Keichel, and other works.

She is a laureate of Youth Grand Prix Paris (2026, First Prize), Youth Grand Prix Italy (2025, First Prize), the South African International Ballet Competition (2025, Third Prize), and Youth America Grand Prix (2024, Junior Grand Prix), among other competitions.

Born in Asti, Italy, on 8 November 2009, Riccardo Rotundu has studied since 2021 at the dance school of the Formazione Danza e Spettacolo Foundation in Genoa.

As a dancer, he has appeared in productions at Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa, including Il mio primo Debussy, Die Fledermaus, I Due Foscari, Idomeneo, Andrea Chénier, and Die Liebe der Danae.

He is a laureate of TANZOLYMP in Berlin (2023, Silver Medal in Choreographic Composition), IDC Spoleto (Italy, 2024, Gold Medal in Pas de Deux), and Youth Grand Prix Europe in Vicenza (Italy, 2024, Gold Medal in Pas de Deux; 2025, Bronze Medal, Senior Classical Division).

Born in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on 12 April 2011, Alexandra Ruminskaya began rhythmic gymnastics at the age of four at the Nelli Kim Gymnastics Academy, where she became a prizewinner and winner of numerous competitions. She studied at the Almaty Choreographic School from 2020 and has continued her education at the Novosibirsk State Choreographic School since 2024.

She performed the roles of the Bee and the Owl in the premiere of Winnie-the-Pooh at the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre. Her repertoire also includes the Pas de Trois from The Nutcracker, the Children’s Pas de Deux staged by Nikolai Tsiskaridze, and variations from the classical ballet repertoire.

She is a laureate of the VIII Orleu International Competition of Choreographic Educational Institutions in Almaty (Third Prize) and the II Children’s Bishkek Delphic Games (Second Degree Diploma).

Born in Rome, Italy, on 9 February 2007, Riccardo Sailis Santoni graduated with honours from the Ballet Academy of the Vienna State Opera in 2025 and continued his studies at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography under Mikhail Sharkov.

His repertoire includes Actaeon’s Variation from Esmeralda, Philippe’s Variation from The Flames of Paris, the Golden Idol Variation and the Drum Dance from La Bayadère, Franz’s Variation from Coppélia, and Lucien’s Variation from Paquita.

Born in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on 18 December 2006, Seunghyun Seo is a ballet major at the School of Dance of Kyung Hee University. She graduated from Busan Arts High School and performed with the Busan Youth Ballet Company and the Busan City Ballet Company.

Her repertoire includes Swanilda in Coppélia, Paquita, Medora and Gulnare in Le Corsaire, and Clara, the Spanish Dance, and the Arabian Dance in The Nutcracker.

She is a laureate of the World Ballet Grand Prix (2023, Silver Medal) and the 17th Korea International Dance Competition (2024, Bronze Prize).

Born on 22 August 2007 in Moscow, Russia, Eleonora Shaidullina is a third-year student at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, where she studies with Anna Antonicheva. She performs on the stages of the Bolshoi Theatre, the State Kremlin Palace, and the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Music Theatre.

Her repertoire includes solo and corps de ballet roles in productions of these theatres, as well as variations from the classical ballet repertoire. She was the first performer of the Tsar Maiden in the grand pas The Tsar Maiden choreographed by Sofia Gaidukova.

She is a laureate of the Grand Prix of Hopes International Youth Ballet and Choreography Competition in Moscow (2024, First Prize, junior group), the All-Russian Competition of Ballet Artists and Choreographers in Yoshkar-Ola (2025, First Prize, junior group), and the VII All-Russian Competition of Young Performers Russian Ballet in Moscow (2026, Second Prize). In 2024, she received the special Dream Award presented by Ballet magazine.

Born on 1 June 2007, Sergey Shcherbina is a third-year student at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography.

He has appeared in Bolshoi Theatre productions of The Winter’s Tale (Young Polixenes, Young Shepherd’s Son), Anna Karenina (Dolly and Stiva’s Children), Orlando (Orlando’s Son), as well as in productions of the Kremlin Ballet Theatre.

His repertoire includes the Friends of Franz in Coppélia, the Castanet Dance in Laurencia, the Seguidilla and Gypsy Dance in Don Quixote, the Drum Dance in La Bayadère, Harlequin, the Russian Dance and the Chinese Dance in The Nutcracker, as well as classical pas de deux and variations.

He is a laureate of the DANCEMOSCOW International Competition for Young Performers of Classical, Contemporary and Folk-Stage Choreography (2024, First Prize, Classical Dance category).

Born on 17 December 2007, Bartucan Şimşir has studied at the Ballet Department of the Ankara State Conservatory of Hacettepe University since 2023.

His repertoire includes the Blue Bird Pas de Deux from The Sleeping Beauty, the Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor, Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, Natur Mort, Ghost Dance, Zamansız, the Blue Boy in Les Patineurs, Prince Désiré in The Sleeping Beauty, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Lucien d’Hervilly in Paquita, and Actaeon in Diana and Actaeon.

He is a laureate of the Bosphorus Ballet Festival (2024, First Place, junior division) and the Istanbul International Ballet Competition (2024, Third Prize, junior division).

Born in Moscow, Russia, on 15 October 2007, Victoria Sokolova is a third-year student at the Moscow Choreographic School of the Gzhel Dance Theatre, where she studies with Lilia Vasilyeva.

In school productions, she has performed Alice in Alice in Wonderland, Snegurochka in The Snow Maiden, the Princess in The Princess and the Pea, and Malvina in The Golden Key.

She is a laureate of the All-Russian Competition of Ballet Artists and Choreographers in Yoshkar-Ola (2024, Third Prize, Character Dance category), the DANCEMOSCOW International Competition of Classical, Contemporary Stage and Folk-Stage Choreography (2024, Second Degree Diploma; 2025 and 2026, First Degree Diplomas, senior category), the X Yuri Grigorovich International Competition Young Ballet of the World in Sochi (2025, Second Prize, junior group), and the VII All-Russian Competition of Young Performers Russian Ballet in Moscow (2026, First Prize).

Born in Shenyang, China, on 18 August 2007, Jianheng Sun graduated from the Dance School of the Shenyang Conservatory of Music.

His achievements include reaching the final of the VIII Beijing International Ballet Competition (2021), winning First Prize and the Best Male Dancer Award in the Youth Division at the International Dance Talent Competition in Italy (2023), Second Prize in the Youth Division at the Lecce International Ballet and Contemporary Dance Competition (2023), qualifying for the finals of the Prix de Lausanne (2024, 2026), receiving the Bronze Award at the Liaoning (Shenyang) International Ballet Competition (2025), and reaching the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in Tampa (2025)

Born in Aichi, Japan, on 8 September 2009, Taki Suzuki has been studying at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography since January 2026.

Her repertoire includes Dulcinea from Act II of Don Quixote, Kitri’s Variation from Act III of Don Quixote, Tori Levy’s Variation and the role of Étoile from Paquita, and Gamzatti from Act II of La Bayadère.

She is a laureate of the Miyazaki International Ballet Competition (2026, First Prize) and the Kyushu International Competition (2024, Second Prize in Classical Ballet, Junior B category). She was a finalist of Youth Grand Prix Japan in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and received Fourth Prize in Contemporary Dance Solo (Junior B) in 2024.

Born in Yakutsk, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), on 9 October 2009, Einara Tarkova is a first-year student at the A. and N. Poselsky Yakut Ballet School (College), where she studies with Oksana Abramova. She performs on the stage of the D.K. Sivtsev–Suorun Omolloon State Opera and Ballet Theatre of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).

She is a laureate of the III and IV L. Sakhyanova and P. Abasheev International Choreographic Competitions in Ulan-Ude (2023, Second Prize in Classical Dance; 2025, First Prize in Contemporary Dance and Young Choreographer, Second Prize in Classical Dance), the VIII Orleu International Competition of Choreographic Educational Institutions in Almaty, Kazakhstan (2023, Second Prize in Classical Dance), and the national competition Young Talents of Russia in Moscow (2023, Third Degree Diploma).

Born in Krasnoyarsk on 27 October 2008, Sofya Tikhonova has studied at the Krasnoyarsk Choreographic College since 2019, where she trains with Svetlana Mikheeva. In 2023, she received a Letter of Appreciation from the Governor of Krasnoyarsk Krai.

She is a laureate of the III and IV L. Sakhyanova and P. Abasheev International Choreographic Competitions in Ulan-Ude (2023, Third Prize; 2025, Second Prize, both in Classical Dance), the V Nadezhda Open National Children’s Ballet Competition in Perm (2024, First Degree Diploma in the Professionals category, Classical Dance), the IX Orleu International Competition of Choreographic Educational Institutions in Almaty, Kazakhstan (2025, Third Prize), and the VII All-Russian Competition of Young Performers Russian Ballet in Moscow (2026, Third Prize).

Born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on 16 August 2008, Anar Uyen is a student of the Mongolian State Conservatory. He takes part in productions of the State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Mongolia.

He is a laureate of the Korea International Ballet Competition in Seoul (2023, Third Prize, pre-junior division) and the XVIII Ekaterina Maximova Open Russian Ballet Competition Arabesque in Perm (2024, First Prize, junior group), where he also received First Prize for the performance of a contemporary work.

Born in Moscow on 25 February 2010, Elisey Volkov is a fifth-year student at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, where he studies with Sergey Manuylov.

He has performed on the stages of the Bolshoi Theatre, the State Kremlin Palace, and the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theatre. His roles include Orlando’s Son in Orlando, the Nutcracker Doll in Yuri Grigorovich’s The Nutcracker, Mamillius in The Winter’s Tale, Fritz in Yuri Possokhov’s The Nutcracker, Andryusha in Anyuta, and Franz and the Pas de Trois in Vasily Vainonen’s The Nutcracker.

He is a laureate of the Nadezhda Open All-Russian Children’s Ballet Competition in Perm (2025, First Prize), the national competition Young Talents of Russia in Moscow (2025), and the All-Russian Classical Dance Competition To the Music of Tchaikovsky in Izhevsk (2025, Grand Prix).

Born in Voronezh, on 1 July 2008, Ariadna Voznesenskaya is a student at the Voronezh Choreographic School, where she studies with Ekaterina Lyubykh. She performs on the stage of the Voronezh Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Her repertoire includes the Princess in The Snow Queen, Clara, the Chinese Dance and the Doll in The Nutcracker, the Pas de Deux from Harlequinade, the Cupid and Kitri variations (Act I) from Don Quixote, Maria from The Cavalry Halt, Diana from Esmeralda, the Third Odalisque from Le Corsaire, and other roles.

She has participated in the Big and Small television project on Russia–K and in educational programmes at the Sirius Educational Centre.

She is a laureate of the Silver Pointe International Choreographic Festival-Competition (First Prize), the Entrée All-Russian Competition of Choreographic School Students (Second Prize), and a recipient of the Voronezh Region Government Award.

Born in Tokyo, Japan, on 14 October 2007, Denis Watanabe began ballet training in 2014 at Watanabe-Buber Ballet Academy. Since 2022, he has continued his studies at the Académie Princesse Grace in Monaco. In 2020, he performed the title role in the musical Billy Elliot.

His awards include First Prize at the NBA National Ballet Competition (2019 and 2021), First Prize in the Pre-competitive category at the Italian International Ballet Competition (2019), First Prize at the Youth America Grand Prix Japan semi-final (2021), First Prize at the National Dance Competition sponsored by Tokyo Shimbun (2021 and 2022), and First Prize in the junior category at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals (2022).

Born in Jiangsu Province, China, on 3 December 2008, Mingyue Xia is a student at Beijing Dance Academy and a member of its Junior Dance Troupe.

She is a laureate of the Global Dance Challenge International Youth Dance Competition (2023, Second Prize), the XI North China Five Provinces, Autonomous Regions and Municipalities Dance Competition (2024, First Prize in Contemporary Dance, junior group), and the XIX Beijing Dance Competition (2025, First Prize for performance and choreography in contemporary dance). She received the New Star Award for classical variation performance at the VI, VII and VIII New Stars shows of the Ballet Department of Beijing Dance Academy (2023–2025).

Born on 2 October 2009, in Hong Kong, Xiao Yang Ricky Ling began his professional ballet training at Shanghai Dance School in 2020.

In 2024, he won Third Prize at the Youth America Grand Prix in Shanghai and qualified for the Finals in the United States. In 2025, he participated in the Liaoning Ballet Competition and the Beijing International Ballet Competition for Dance Schools and Performers.

In 2026, he took part in the Prix de Lausanne.

Born in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on 4 March 2008, Yeonjoo Jung began studying ballet at an early age and received her professional dance training in Korea.

Her repertoire includes roles and excerpts from The Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Le Corsaire, Paquita, and other works of the classical ballet repertoire.

She is a laureate of international ballet competitions, including Youth America Grand Prix, the Seoul International Dance Competition, and the Korea International Ballet Competition.

Born in Changchun, Jilin Province, China, on 28 October 2008, Zixuan Yu began studying ballet at the age of four. She is currently a student at Beijing Dance Academy.

She is a laureate of the Asian Elite Dance Competition Beijing Finals (2024, Second Prize in Ballet and Third Prize in Contemporary Dance), the XIX Beijing Dance Competition (2025, First Prize in Contemporary Dance, junior division, and the Choreography Award), the Ailian International Youth Ballet Competition (2024, Second Prize), and the IV Fanghua Cup Professional Dance Education Competition (2025, First Prize).

Born in New York, USA, on 4 December 2008, Alisa Zakovics studied at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of American Ballet Theatre from 2016. In 2024, she accepted a trainee position with the School of Philadelphia Ballet.

Her repertoire includes Dulcinea from Don Quixote excerpts, Coppélia and Coppélia’s Friends from Coppélia excerpts, the Big Swan from Swan Lake excerpts, Myrtha from Giselle excerpts, Cupid from Don Quixote excerpts, Esmeralda from Esmeralda excerpts, and Nikiya from La Bayadère excerpts.

Her awards include First Prize at Connecticut Classic (2024), Second Prize at the MAB Association Competition in Milan (2025), and Third Prize at Youth America Grand Prix Philadelphia (2026).

Born on 19 April 2011, Xien Zhang entered the Affiliated Secondary Dance School of the Shenyang Conservatory of Music with the highest entrance score nationwide.

She is a laureate of the Hong Kong Elite Dance Competition (2021, First Prize, Junior Preparatory Group A), the Forbes China Dance Showcase (2023, Organizing Committee Grand Prize, Professional Group B7), and the PDE France Youth Dance Showcase (2025, Organizing Committee Grand Prize).