Meet Stephan Azulay, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Principal Creating Art in the Kitchen
When Royal Winnipeg Ballet principal Stephan Azulay was a child, his parents brought him into two of the family businesses: flamenco and food. His father was a flamenco dancer who also owned several restaurants. “Food is more integrated into flamenco culture than other styles of dance,” Azulay says. “Flamenco is the performances, but it’s also […]
The Australian Ballet’s Sam Akins Shares His Daily Routine
American-born dancer Sam Akins is already a world-traveler. Born in Alabama, he graduated from the School of American Ballet before joining the Los Angeles Ballet and then Alabama Ballet. In 2021, he became the first African American to dance with the Paris Opéra Ballet. “The whole point of me traveling and moving to different countries […]
Friend or Foe?: What to Do When Your Peers’ Behavior Changes Around Auditions
Mary* once carpooled to a professional audition with a friend. They each had their own day to take company class, and her classmate went first. “But the next day, when it was my turn, she said she was coming along ‘just to take class,’ ” says Mary. Her friend said she had asked permission the day […]
Iain Mackay on Changes at The Royal Ballet School, Plus Its First U.S.-Based Summer Intensive
This year, The Royal Ballet School is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Founded in 1926 by Dame Ninette de Valois, the school has since grown into a major international ballet academy producing world-class dancers. “When we look at where we started and where we are today, in some ways it’s like night and day,” says Iain […]
Congratulations to the 2026 Prix de Lausanne Winners
The Winter Olympics may have gotten underway in Milan and Cortina this weekend, but just a few hours north in Switzerland, the ballet world was holding its own elite international competition: the 2026 Prix de Lausanne. Seventy-eight candidates between the ages of 15 and 18, and representing 18 countries, took part in the weeklong scholarship […]
Your February 2026 Roster Roundup: Dancers and Directors on the Move
The past few weeks have brought another exciting round of ballet career news—check out the latest farewells, appointments, promotions, and more in your February 2026 roster roundup. Michael Vernon. Photo courtesy Indianapolis Ballet. Promotions and Appointments Indianapolis Ballet has announced that Michael Vernon will lead the company as interim artistic director for the remainder of […]
Can Ballet Majors Study Abroad?
University ballet majors hoping to have a performing career may feel like they have to sacrifice typical college experiences in favor of their training. Instead of parties, they have rehearsal, and instead of attending football games, they have performances. But what about another common college experience: studying abroad? Pointe spoke with two ballet majors and […]
10 Fresh Ballets in February 2026
This month, companies across the country are proving that February isn’t just for Romeo and Juliet. From Alexei Ratmansky’s newest commission to a 1980s twist on The Little Mermaid, read on to learn what’s hitting the stages. Book of Esther and Carmen Suite: Carolina Ballet Carolina Ballet presents two world premieres in its Carmen Suite […]
Get to Know the U.S.’s 2026 Prix de Lausanne Competitors
For more than five decades, the Prix de Lausanne has welcomed talented young dancers from around the world for an intense week of classes, rehearsals, and performances as they compete for awards and scholarships. This year, the Prix runs February 1–8, 2026, at Switzerland’s Beaulieu Lausanne. Out of 444 applicants, 81 dancers (43 girls and […]
Rochester City Ballet’s Lydia Marbach’s Favorite Pilates Exercises for Dancers
When Lydia Marbach tried Pilates growing up, and later as a dance major at the University of Arizona, mat classes didn’t quite resonate. It wasn’t until a few years later, after joining Rochester City Ballet, that she accompanied fellow dancer Jessica Tretter to a reformer-based class and fell in love. “I’m obsessed with the reformer,” […]