WHO WE ARE

It all began with the first national Ballet/Contemporary dance competition in 1996 in Vienna, organized by the Austrian Dance Council (ÖTR) under Prof. Karl Musil and Prof. Evelyn Teri. It quickly became an important international event, producing winners such as Jana Salenko, Dinu Tamazlacaru, Nina Poláková, Liudmila Konovalova, Roman Lazik, Mihail Sosnovschi, Jakob Feyferlik, and Daniil Simkin. Held in 1997, 1999, 2001, 2004, and 2007, the competition aimed to revitalize professional dance in Vienna and Austria.

In 2013, the NCCEA, led by President Sophia Li, took over the competition, renaming it WienWeltWettbewerb. They organized events in 2014, 2019, and 2021, making it a prestigious European competition. The 2021 edition, due to the pandemic, was held online for the first time, leading to the rebranding as Ballet Grand Prix Vienna.

Prof. Karl Musil and artistic director Prof. Evelyn Téri are a solid foundation of knowledge and experience for the present event, which has grown into an international cultural exchange platform for aspiring dancers.

The Ballet Grand Prix Vienna also features masterclasses and workshops by renowned professionals such as world ballet star Vladimir Malakhov, and closes with a gala featuring winners and international guest dancers. It aims to promote dance excellence, cultural diversity, and public education through high-quality events and programs, providing opportunities for students and professionals to learn from top artists.

„Wie erhebend – noch junge Menschen mit Einsatz, Fantasie und uneingeschränkter Liebe zum Tanz auf der Bühne sehen zu dürfen!“ - Karl Musil, 2007

Sophia Li
Executive Director