The European Foundation for Support of Culture, together with the Brigitte Gauci Borda School of Dance, held the International Ballet Malta 2019 programme featuring master classes by leading principals of the world’s most famous theatres and ballet performances. The project was intended to attract the international dance community to Malta and to establish a unique venue for cultural exchange between talented young dancers. Eligibility: 9+.
Ballet classes were taught by leading choreographers from theatres and famous ballet schools and colleges: Australian dancer and Royal Ballet Principal Alexander Campbell and Royal Ballet Principal Claire Calvert (UK); former dancer with the English National Ballet, Nuremberg National Ballet, Dutch National Ballet and Principal at Oper Graz in Austria Jaiona Zabala Martin; lead principal at the Royal Swedish Ballet Luiza Lopes, Royal Swedish Ballet principal Arsen Mehrabyan; former principal of the National Ballet of Hungary Budapest, Companhia Nacional de Bailado in Portugal and guest Principal with the National Ballet of Macedonia Mark James Biocca; the leading principal of Russia’s Bolshoi Theatre Daria Lyakisheva, and many others.
The programme culminated in performances at the Pjazza Teatru Rjal in Valletta, European Capital of Culture 2018, of popular classical ballets featuring both world-class stars and young talents participating in the master classes.
Following International Ballet Malta, all participants were issued certificates and the top students were offered a chance to take part in international ballet competitions in Europe.