Young Gyu Choi wins the Swan for ‘most impressive dance performance’
Young Gyu Choi, principal of Dutch National Ballet, received the Swan for ‘most impressive dance performance’ on Friday, September 30, at the Nederlandse Dansdagen Gala 2022 in Maastricht. Young received the award for his outstanding performance in Toer van Schayk’s 7th Symphony.
South Korean Young Gyu Choi demonstrated great dedication at the start of the 2021/2022 season in 7th Symphony, proving his ability to shine in both modern classic and contemporary ballets. His technical virtuosity is remarkable, and it coincides with his contagious joy and admirable freedom of his dancing.
From corps de ballet to principal
Young joined Dutch National Ballet as a corps de ballet dancer in 2011. He was promoted twice in 2013: first, he was promoted to coryphée and later to soloist. He eventually danced in leading roles in Don Quichot and Cinderella, among other productions. On January 1, 2016, he got promoted to principal.
Young already won numerous prizes, including first place in dance competitions in New York, Boston and Varna (Bulgaria). In 2017, he received the Alexandra Radius Prize in Amsterdam and was recently nominated for ‘Dancer of the Year’ by the British dance magazine Dance Europe.
Ted Brandsen about Young: “Young is a fantastic dancer and artist who continues to grow artistically in extraordinary ways. Young has a leading role in our company, and not without reason: he is one of the most successful dancers in the world right now. In other words, a superstar of the highest calibre who deserves all praise in the Netherlands.”
‘Oscars’ of Dutch dance
The Association of Theater and Concertgebouw Directors’ (VSCD) dance prizes, known as the Swans, were awarded Friday night at Theater aan het Vrijthof in Maastricht. They have been given out since 1983 and are dubbed the ‘Oscars’ of Dutch dance. Choreographer and visual artist Toer van Schayk creates a remarkable bronze sculpture for the yearly prize.
The members of the VSCD Dance Jury were: Rob van Steen (chairman), director of Theaters Tilburg; Geesje Prins, programmer Amare; Swantje Schäuble, dancer; Marcelle Schots, journalist; Leo Spreksel, former artistic director; Violien Vocks, programmer Parkstad Limburg Theaters; Joery Wilbers, director De Domijnen Sittard; John Agesilas, Summer Dance FOREVER, Foundation Hip Hop Academy, teacher ATD.