Ballerino Park Yoon-jae, KNIGA, Wins Prix de Lausanne 2025

Ballet dancer Park Yoon-jae, who completed a curriculum at the Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts (KNIGA), won first place at the Prix de Lausanne 2025. The competition is known as a gateway to success for young ballet dancers. Park is the first Korean to win the top prize in the contest’s history.

Park Yoon-jae mesmerized the jury and audience with his perfection, completed by his tall height, powerful movements, and outstanding interpretation of music.

After the final stage, Park Yoon-jae was announced as the winner of the “Grand Prix.” The Prix de Lausanne annually selects up to 9 scholarship recipients. The winners are announced in reverse order. The winners are granted the opportunity to join world-renowned ballet schools or ballet companies with scholarships sufficient to cover a year's course.

Immediately after accepting the award, Park said in Korean, “I’m honored to be here at the Prix de Lausanne, the stage I have always dreamed of since I was five, the age I started dancing. It’s truly unbelievable that not only did I make it to be one of the finalists but win the top prize.” In addition, he earned the Best Young Talent Award on that day.

On the final stage, Park danced “Flame of Paris” for classical repertoire and “Rain” by Kinsun Chan for the contemporary program. Park Yoon-jae’s high-flying jumps with remarkable elasticity, steady turns, and movements and facial expressions on the beat were par excellence.