We’re not looking for perfection. We’re looking for potential.
Everything you’ll need to prepare, laid out step by step.
Recipients will be announced at the end of August. Use this page to prepare for the next cycle — the requirements below are what we ask for each year.
Two Ways to Apply
Choose your award
Regular Award
Open to any dancer training at a pre-professional level or higher at a studio or school focused on ballet. This includes bridge programs, tuition-based trainee positions, and college dance programs.
Requires photos, an essay, an introductory video, and a technique video.
Platinum Award
Our top honour. Everything in the Regular Award, plus two classical variations filmed in a studio setting.
Finalists are invited to a video call with the EJB team to talk about their training and goals.
Failure to provide the requested items in the requested format will result in loss of consideration.
Regular Award
What to submit
Photographs
- A web-sized headshot, under 1MB
- A first arabesque photo
- One dance photo of your choice
Written essay
500 words or fewer on what ballet means to you.
Introductory video — 1 minute or less
Tell us your name, your age, where you are currently training, and your favourite style of ballet or dance.
Technique video — 12 minutes or less
- Barre — one side only, maximum 5 minutes: tendus, pliés, grand battement, adagio.
- Centre — maximum 7 minutes. En pointe is optional for dancers under 14. Échappés and retirés; adagio; double pirouette diagonally across the floor, en dehors and en dedans; petit allegro; medium allegro (brisé, pas de chat, piqués, sissonne fermé or ouverte — your choice); grand allegro (grand jetés or saut de basque — your choice).
- Male applicants — all of the above plus tour en l’air right and left. Dancers 16 and over should perform a double tour.
Video format
All videos must be submitted as unpublished YouTube links, and those links must remain active until 31 August.
Everything above, plus two variations
For women
- One variation of your choice, 2 minutes or less
- Raymonda, Act III — Henriette variation
For men
- One variation of your choice, 2 minutes or less
- La Sylphide, Act I — James solo
These variations must be performed in a studio setting. Performance footage is not accepted.
Platinum finalists are asked to join a Zoom call with the EJB team to discuss their goals. Applicants who are minors may have one parent on the call, but we ask that the dancer leads the conversation.
Deadlines at a glance
Send your application materials here
Email everything to our applications address. Questions about eligibility are welcome any time.
See who came before you
Ninety-three dancers across fifteen countries have started here.