92 young dancers were selected to compete in the 2019 Brisbane International Contemporary Dance (BICD) Prix, which took place in Brisbane, September 29 – October 4. This is the second time the event has run.
The event saw contestants take part in a week-long program of workshops and classes, viewed by a panel of five judges: Victoria Columbus, from the New Zealand School of Dance, Adriaan Lutijen, from Introdans company in Holland, Rhiannon McLean, from Expressions Dance Company (Brisbane), Jason Beechey, from the Palucca Hochshule fuer Tanz, Dresden (Germany) and Anna Chan from the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts.
The candidates worked with coaches from Sydney Dance Company and Projection Dance, learning repertoire, creating solos and performing on stage. This year BICD Prix also offered training forums where dancers could hear about what programs each of the event’s partner schools offer and receive more information about partner companies.
Isabelle Crain won the senior division, taking home $10,000 to spend on furthering her career, with senior runner-up awarded to James Ewens, who received $5000.
Winner of the junior division was Billy Thomas, who received $5000 towards furthering his career, and runner up was Alex McNab, who received $2500.
These dancers have also been offered placements and secondments at Palucca, Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, New Zealand School of Dance, Codarts and Zurich University of the Arts, Sydney Dance Company PPY, Sydney Dance Company, Expressions Dance Company, City Contemporary Dance Company Hong Kong, Introdans to work with Akram Kahn and Projection Dance Company.
Pictured top: 2019 BICD Prix finalists.