English National Ballet's Emerging Dancer Competition

At the recent Emerging Dancer Competition of English National Ballet, held at London's Lyceum theatre, there were surprises in store. Both Junor Souza and Alison McWhinney were made joint winners of the prestigious competition, and the pair performed the pas de deux from Esmeralda. Junor also won the People’s Choice Award, as voted for by audience members throughout the year. The Competition, now in its fifth year was judged by a prestigious panel, including renowned dance industry figures such as Deborah Bull CBE, Clement Crisp OBE, Dame Gillian Lynne DBE, Arlene Phillips CBE, Tamara Rojo and Wayne Sleep OBE. The Emerging Dancer Competition is an annual event for English National Ballet to recognise and nurture the phenomenal talent of its up-and-coming dancers. The Award encourages excellence and potential within the Company. As well as the accolade of the title, the Emerging Dancer winner receives £2,500, the People’s Choice Award winner receives £1,000 and all nominees receive £500 each. Alison McWhinney, from Port MacQuarie, Australia, began dancing aged four. She trained at English National Ballet School, Ecole Ballet Studios and joined English National Ballet in 2005. Her favourite role is Harlots in Manon and her favourite production is Swan Lake in-the-round. Alison has also been an RAD Genée Silver Medal winner and Prix de Lausanne Prize winner. Junor Souza was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and began dancing aged seven. He was also trained at English National Ballet School and joined English National Ballet in 2008. He was promoted to First Artist in 2010 and Junior Soloist in 2011. Junor's career highlights include dancing the Prince in The Nutcracker and Albrecht in Giselle, Romeo in Nureyev’s Romeo & Juliet and Prince Siegfried in Derek Deane’s Swan Lake.