In early summer 2026, Helsinki will host talented young dancers competing in both classical ballet and contemporary dance. The tenth Helsinki International Ballet Competition will take place at the Finnish National Opera and Ballet from May 28 to June 5.
The Helsinki International Ballet Competition has attracted interest from around the world. A total of 230 applications from 36 countries were received to take part in the event. Eighty-one dancers from fifteen countries were selected. See the list of selected dancers here.
“We are pleased with the record number of applicants and the geographical diversity. It is an important opportunity for young dancers to develop and build professional networks. There is also plenty for audiences to enjoy during the week, both on stage and through related events,“ says Hannele Niiranen-Mattsson, chair of the Helsinki International Ballet Competition Association.
The Royal Ballet School’s seminars for ballet teachers
During the competition week, Inspire Seminars for ballet teachers will be held by The Royal Ballet School. The seminar series can be attended either as a six-day intensive course or as individual seminar days. They will be led by Sarah Daultry, Teacher Training Manager at The Royal Ballet School, London.
The seminars are non-syllabus-based and grounded in good teaching practice, giving strategies for applying pedagogical, technical and artistic knowledge in the studio. All seminars include theoretical and practical study, class discussion and reflection.
Star dancers at the gala
The competition will conclude with a gala performance and awards ceremony. Guest performers appearing at the gala will be Yuka Masumoto, Clark Eselgroth, and Violetta Keller.
“In their long collaboration, the Finnish National Ballet and the Helsinki International Ballet Competition have been a key part of the lives of national and international ballet stars. Inviting artists rooted in either of these institutions is the fairest way to pay tribute to the work they do for the art of ballet”, says Javier Torres, chair of the ballet competition jury and artistic director of the Finnish National Ballet.
In the 2022 competition, Yuka Masumoto received the main prize, the Jane Erkko Grand Prix, as well as the Pas de Deux Award together with Clark Eselgroth. Currently, Masumoto works as a principal dancer with the Finnish National Ballet. Clark Eselgroth, who represented the United States, also took first place in the men’s junior series in the 2022 competition. Eselgroth danced as a first soloist with the Finnish National Ballet until 2025, after which he moved to the Bayerisches Staatsballett as a demi-soloist.
Violetta Keller danced with the Finnish National Ballet from 2018, quickly progressing from the Youth Company to principal dancer in 2022. The director of the Bayerisches Staatsballett, Laurent Hilaire, invited her to join his company as a principal dancer for the 2025/2026 season, which also meant a return to her home country, Germany.
Suzanne Innes-Stubb is the Patron of the Competition
The spouse of the President of Finland, Suzanne Innes-Stubb, serves as the patron of the Helsinki International Ballet Competition 2026.
“I am delighted to serve as the patron of the Helsinki International Ballet Competition. It is among the most prestigious international ballet competitions. Events like this highlight talent and spread the joy of dance to everyone”, says Mrs Suzanne Innes-Stubb.