Pre-Professional Program students announced as finalists in Prix de Lausanne choreographic award

Queensland Ballet Academy Pre-Professional Program students, Louis van Etten and Joshua Ostermann have been announced as two of five finalists in the prestigious Prix de Lausanne’s Young Creation Award. Their choreographies were selected from 55 submissions across 18 international partner schools.

Louis van Etten

Originally from Perth, Western Australia, 19-year-old van Etten created his contemporary piece Self Control, under the mentorship of Academy Contemporary Program Coordinator and Resident Choreographer, Louise Deleur. Fellow Pre-Professional Program dancer, Sophie Kerr performed the solo for van Etten’s submission.

Regarding the creative process behind the piece and his nomination as a finalist, van Etten said:

“When I created Self Control, I was inspired by Stoicism and Stoic Philosophers. I wanted to show the fight for wanting to be in control of ourselves and our surroundings. Throughout the creative process I realised that this could become self-destructive when taken too far, so I also wanted to show the internal struggle of a behaviour that is thought to be beneficial but is actually harmful to oneself. Ultimately, this choreography is about the learning process of self-control and all the different stages that come with it.

“Being selected as a finalist for the Young Creation Award is such a privilege and couldn’t have happened if it weren’t for Queensland Ballet Academy. I have always wanted to be involved with the Prix de Lausanne, so this is a dream come true.”

Joshua Ostermann*

Originally from Newcastle, New South Wales, 18-year-old Joshua Ostermann entered his contemporary variation, The Question into the Young Creation Award. His submission was choreographed as an abstract piece focusing on pure, organic shapes, forms, and lines of the body. Fellow Pre-Professional Program dancer, Edison Manuel performed the solo for Ostermann's submission.

“Throughout the creative process I was inspired by the concept of searching for meaning or answers in life and was interested in the notion that sometimes life has no answers or meaning. The music that I chose came with great inspiration for the movement that was created, and I find it takes you on a beautiful journey during the piece,” Ostermann said.

Reacting to the news from the Prix de Lausanne, Ostermann said:

“I feel deeply honoured to have made it into the finals of the Young Creation Award. We are very fortunate here at Queensland Ballet Academy to be provided with these invaluable opportunities. I never thought I would be a part of the Prix de Lausanne, so I am very excited to be involved in 2021.”

Queensland Ballet Academy is a partner school of the Prix de Lausanne International Ballet Competition. Announced as a new partner project in February 2020 for the 2021 edition, the Young Creation Award aims to discover young new talent in aspiring choreographers. Entrants must be enrolled in a partner school or company and are required to create an original choreography of a contemporary variation between 2:48 – 3:12 minutes, set on a partner school student or partner company dancer.

Speaking of his excitement for the Award and Queensland Ballet Academy’s involvement, Head of Pre-Professional Program, Wim Broeckx said:

“The Young Creation Award is a wonderful initiative that the Prix de Lausanne brings to the dance industry. This amazing opportunity to discover and nurture future choreographers provides many ambitious young people with the time and possibility to experiment and develop their art.

“The students of Queensland Ballet Academy’s Pre-Professional Program have benefitted tremendously by being provided with this unique opportunity.”

The Prix de Lausanne Jury will come together to select two winners from the five finalists in February 2021. Candidates of the 2022 edition will be able to choose and perform the winning pieces, which will become part of the Prix de Lausanne’s contemporary repertoire.

Louis van Etten and Joshua Ostermann head shots by David Kelly.

*This press release was amended on 15 December 2020 to reflect Joshua Ostermann’s placement as a finalist in the Prix de Lausanne’s Young Creation Award, which was announced after the original release was published on 10 December 2020.

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