Universal Ballet Competition and World Ballet Competition Name 2026 Winners

The Universal Ballet Competition crowned its 2026 Grand Prix winners May 27–31 at the CFISD Visual and Performing Arts Center in Houston, Texas, while the 19th annual World Ballet Competition, held June 15–20 in Orlando, Florida, awarded more than $5.55 million in scholarships, prizes, contracts, and dancewear to dancers from over 18 countries.

Three American dancers — Crystal Huang, Alexei Orohovsky, and Yana Peneva — also earned gold medals in their respective divisions at the Moscow International Ballet Competition this summer, with a fourth American, Ekaterina Pichkova, receiving a diploma. The Helsinki International Ballet Competition announced its awardees separately.

Universal Ballet Competition

The Houston finals recognized solo dancers, duos and trios, and ensembles across four age divisions, each split into classical and contemporary categories.

Top honors:

• Rising Star: Hunter Moreland, Orlando Ballet School
• Aspire Award Winner: Kenedi Sampson, Pavlova Professional Coaching
• Legacy Award Winner: Lena Garcia, Hollywood Ballet Academy

Garcia had a standout competition, placing second in Senior Classical and third in Senior Contemporary in addition to her Legacy Award.

Senior Division (Ages 15–21)

Classical

1. Dulcianna Jonak, Feijoo Ballet School
2. Lena Garcia, Hollywood Ballet Academy
3. Auburn Busselberg, Concept Pavielle

Contemporary

1. Laci Bloss, Larkin Dance Studio
2. Eden Hardy, Concept Pavielle
3. Lena Garcia, Hollywood Ballet Academy

Junior Division (Ages 12–14)

Classical

1. Evelyn Allen, Pavlova Professional Coaching
2. Harper Anderson, Concept Pavielle
3. Claire Wu, Li's Ballet Studio

Contemporary

1. Rhauri Samuels, Gateway Classical Ballet
2. Kelsey Sukla, Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy
3. Jade Stanaway, Concept Pavielle

Primary Division (Ages 9–11)

Classical

1. Olivia Wang, MorningStar Dance Academy of Atlanta
2. Jion Heo, Atlanta Professional Dance Academy
3. Evelyn Shen, N&D Ballet

Contemporary

1. Nola Paulina, Concept Pavielle
2. Oliva Wang, MorningStar Dance Academy of Atlanta
3. Xinrui Yang, OAEC

Pre-Competitive Division (Ages 7–8)

Classical

1. Mary Zhou, N&D Ballet
2. Lily Knopps, Club Dance Studio
3. Georgie Peteris, Gateway Classical Ballet

Contemporary

1. Lily Knopps, Club Dance Studio
2. Georgie Peteris, Gateway Classical Ballet
3. Mary Zhou, N&D Ballet

World Ballet Competition

The Orlando competition awarded medals with cash prizes across five categories.

Professional Category (Ages 16–24)

Female

• Gold Medal and $3,000: Minori De Silva, USA
• Silver Medal and $2,000: Kelly Zhong, USA
• Bronze Medal and $1,000: Claire Ling, USA

Male

• Bronze Medal and $1,000: Aiden Moss, USA
• Gold and Silver Medals: Not awarded

Pre-Professional (Ages 14–15)

Female

• Gold Medal and $1,500: Megan Jarvis, UK
• Silver Medal and $1,000: Amelia Legault, USA
• Bronze Medal and $500: Eleanor Kim, USA

Male

• Gold Medal and $1,500: Giancarlos Rangel, USA
• Silver and Bronze Medals: Not awarded

Preparatory Category (Ages 12–13)

Female

• Gold Medal and $600: Elynn Nie, USA
• Silver Medal and $400: Chloe Li, USA
• Bronze Medal and $200: Leonela Piovesan, Ecuador

Introductory Category (Ages 9–11)

Female

• Gold Medal and $350: Jion Heo, South Korea
• Gold Medal and $350: Celestine Magadia, New Zealand
• Silver Medal and $250: Jennifer Wen, USA
• Bronze Medal and $150: Olivia Wang, USA

Ensemble Category (Ages 9–24)

• Gold Medal and $1,500: Atlanta Professional Dance Academy, USA
• Silver Medal and $1,000: Etoile Dance Academy, USA
• Bronze Medal and $500: MorningStar Dance Academy, USA

Several names appear on both winners' lists. Jion Heo took second place in Primary Classical at UBC representing Atlanta Professional Dance Academy and won a gold medal in the Introductory Category at WBC — the same Atlanta academy that claimed the ensemble gold in Orlando. Olivia Wang, first in Primary Classical at UBC, added a WBC bronze medal in the same age category.

The WBC's decision not to award gold and silver medals in the male Professional category, and silver and bronze in male Pre-Professional, signals where the judging bar sat this season — a gap the 20th-anniversary edition in Orlando will presumably invite next year's male competitors to close.