Jessi Seymour claims major ballet prize

The Sydney Eisteddfod recently announced that the winner of its 2017 Ballet Scholarship is Jessi Seymour, an accomplished student at Alegria Dance Studios in Sydney’s Surry Hills. Performing to a full crowd on Sunday, July 30, Seymour presented two pieces – La Esmeralda’s Variation from Act I of La Esmeralda and a contemporary solo entitled Dusk by Shelley Moore.

The Second Scholarship for best dancer of the opposite sex was awarded to Cameron Holes, an 18-year-old student of Lucinda Dunn’s at the renowned Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy. Holes presented a version of Basilio’s Variation from Act III of Don Quixote and his own contemporary solo, which he named Burdened. He also won the Performance Award from the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet.

In addition to Holes and Seymour, the other six finalists “proved through the Preliminary rounds, Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals that they are exceptional dancers and deserved to be on the stage,” according to Sydney Eisteddfod officials.

The process to get to this Final at the Sydney Opera House is tough and training at a superior, advanced level is required. Therefore, Dance Informa congratulates Seymour and Holes on their achievements, and salutes the other 2017 finalists like Janae Kerr, Isaac Shaw, Ashlee Crowe, Emma Dowling, Nichola Schapendonk and Tahlia Downey.

As the downright winner, Seymour has won a total of $18,000 ($3,000 cash plus a $15,000 Scholarship.) Cameron Holes won $12,000.

For more information on the Sydney Eisteddfod, visit sydneyeisteddfod.com.au.

Photo: The Sydney Eisteddfod Ballet Scholarship’s 2017 Winners with adjudicators David McAllister AM, Prudence Caldwell and Hao Bin. Photo by WinkiPoP Media.