Top ballet awards are childhood dream, says dancer

The only UK entrant at the coveted Prix de Lausanne ballet competition has seen a childhood dream realised after scooping three awards.

Jakob, 17, from Malvern, Worcestershire, is a scholarship student at Tring Park School for Performing Arts, in Hertfordshire.

The talented dancer was one of 85 selected from more than 1,000 global entrants at the awards in Switzerland, and came away with the Contemporary Dance Award, Web Audience Favourite - and the Aud Jebsen Scholarship.

Jakob said seeing the exceptional standard represented from around the world "lit a fire underneath me, making me push harder".

The Prix de Lausanne - now in its 53rd year - is a prestigious international event for 15 to 18-year-olds, often propelling exceptional young dancers into careers with renowned ballet companies.

Jakob was one of only 20 dancers to reach the finals of the prestigious competition at the Beaulieu Theatre in Lausanne, Switzerland.

He was also the first UK finalist since 2013, the competition confirmed.

"His success at this internationally renowned competition highlights his dedication, skill, and potential in the world of dance," his school said.

The event was live-streamed, enabling viewers all over the world to follow every stage of selection and the finals as well as the results of a public vote.

"Travelling to Lausanne to compete in the Prix de Lausanne has been my dream since I was a young child," Jakob said.

"I have watched it for years, so it's surreal to be given a spot to perform.

"The reality of these past 10 days have been both daunting and exhilarating at the same time.

"Witnessing the standard technically and artistically of the other dancers, lit a fire underneath me making me push harder."

He added: "I am deeply humbled by the support from everyone, especially those who voted for me in the public vote, and for allowing me to experience a once-in-a-lifetime moment to gain such immense knowledge from the most talented young dancers in the world."

Jakob said the win had opened doors to him and he should be "able to pick a job that suits me the best".

He said his goal was to "travel the world and to learn as much as I can and meet lots of interesting people."

Simon Larter-Evans, principal at Tring Park School, said Jakob's success was "a defining moment for such a talented and deserving young dancer".

"The Prix is the most prestigious dance competition in the world, and catapults young dancers into extraordinary careers," he said.

"Jakob was the only UK dancer in the competition, selected from over 1,000 dancers worldwide, which in itself is an incredible achievement."

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