Christopher Powney

The Prix de Lausanne represents an incredible opportunity for young aspiring dancers from all over the world who have excellent potential to be offered a chance to continue their training with some of the most prestigious training schools. It is also an incredible life experience that I am sure the candidates will never forget. Spending a week dancing alongside all of the other dancers, taking classes together, receiving coaching from some of the world’s top directors, teachers, and choreographers, and being seen by so many school and company directors is truly amazing. My message to the Prix de Lausanne 2023 candidates is to enjoy every aspect of what the week offers. If you place your focus on learning from all of the classes, the feedback you receive, the performance experience, and in addition if you hopefully receive a very special offer for a top school or company, then this has to be a win. Lastly, don’t miss this opportunity to make lifelong friendships, as you will spend a week with like-minded incredible people.

Christopher Powney has danced with Northern Ballet, English National Ballet and Rambert Dance Company. He performed and created many roles and worked with numerous prominent choreographers and artists, among them Christopher Gable, Lynn Seymour, Frederick Franklin, Ivan Nagy, Rudolf Nureyev, Glen Tetley, Christopher Bruce and Jiří Kylián.

During his dancing career, Christopher began to turn his focus toward teaching and qualified with The Royal Ballet School’s Professional Dancers Teachers’ Course. He was Assistant Artistic Director of Central School of Ballet’s graduate touring company and in 2000 he helped coordinate and performed at a Gala to celebrate the life and work of Christopher Gable CBE.

In 2000 he joined the faculty of The Royal Ballet School at the invitation of Gailene Stock, teaching 2nd Year boys at the Upper School. He then moved abroad in 2006 to take up the position of Graduate Teacher with the dance department of the Royal Conservatoire, The Hague. In September 2010 Christopher was appointed Artistic Director of the Dutch National Ballet Academy. Throughout this period, he helped to establish The Dutch National Ballet Junior Company and founded the Amsterdam International Summer School.

Christopher teaches internationally and participates as a jury member at many international competitions including the Prix de Lausanne and Youth America Grand Prix. In 2022 he became a member of the Windsor Leadership Alumni network.

Christopher returned to The Royal Ballet School and took up the post of Artistic Director in September 2014. In 2022 he was made Artistic Director and CEO.