Alina Cojocaru
Principal Dancer with the Royal Ballet of London
Dance Open: 2010, 2011Dance Open Award: Special Prize from Sberbank 2011
Born in Bucharest, she trained in Kiev for seven years before joining the Royal Ballet School in 1997 on a Prix de Lausanne scholarship. Upon completion of her training, six months later, she returned to Kiev to dance with Kiev Ballet for a year.
She joined The Royal Ballet Company in November 1999 and at the end of the season was promoted from Artist to First Soloist. She was promoted to Principal after her performance of Giselle on 2001. Prize-winner at different international competitions.
Sebastian Kloborg
Freelance dancer, choreographer
Dance Open: 2017, 2019
Graduated from the Royal Danish Ballet School in 2003 and joined the Royal Danish Ballet that same year. Thanks to his acting skills and outstanding technique Sebastian can dance solo parties in almost all the productions both in his theatre and all over the world.
In 2012 he joined Gauthier Dance where he ventured into different type of works. He has been equally successful in neoclassical and modern ballet proving his status as universal dancer.
He staged Ways to Go (2013) for Gauthier Dance, Strangers (2015), Betty Be Black (2016), 1970 now (2016) for the Royal Danish Ballet and Limberly (2016) for the German National Youth Ballet.
Recently Sebastian ventured a new step in his career: now he prefers to work as a freelance dancer and tries himself as a choreographer.
Daria Klimentova
Principal Dancer of the English National Ballet
Dance Open: 2014
Born in the Czech Republic, graduated from of Prague State Conservatory. Worked at ballet theaters in Prague, Cape Town, as well as with the Scottish Ballet. Since 1996 with the English National Ballet. Critics have called her «the most classical ballerina of the Company, pointing out her perfect lines» and «icy blinding glitter beauty». Among the awards — first place Prix de Lausanne and the award of «Outstanding Modern Dancer», awarded by the Association of British critics. Her repertoire is extremely rich, but her favorite roles are: Odile (Swan Lake), Marguerite (The Lady with the Camellias), Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), Manon (Manon) and Sphinx (Sphinx).
Minjung Kim
Korean National University of the Arts
Dance Open: 2012
Studied at the Korean National University of the Arts (Coaches: Margarita Kullik — ex-Principal Dancers at the Mariinsky theatre). Prize-winner of various international competitions: 2009 — Korean International Ballet Competition (category Juniors), 2nd prize. 2010 — Seoul International Ballet competition (category Juniors), 1st prize. 2010 - "Youth America Grand Prix" (category Pas de deux) 1st prize. 2011 — "Youth America Grand Prix" (category Solo). 3rd prize.
Yoel Careño
Principal Dancer with the Norwegian National Ballet
Dance Open: 2009, 2014, 2015, 2018Dance Open Award: People's Choice Award 2014
Born in Havana, Cuba. Graduated from the National School of Ballet with the Golden Diploma. Over the years awarded with Silver and Gold Medals at International Ballet Competitions. Since 1998 danced for the Cuban National Ballet under the direction of Alicia Alonso. In three years was promoted to Principal Dancer. With this company has toured in both Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa. He has been invited by important ballet companies, among which was the Washington Ballet. In 2003 he was awarded «For Contribution to National Culture», granted by the Cuban Ministry of Culture. In the autumn of 2010 he joined the Norwegian National Ballet. His repertoire is remarkably wide; as a performer he tends to romantic classical pieces. Dance Open Award - People's Choice Award 2014.
