PAST JURY PRESIDENTS

KAZUKO HIRABAYASHI

2002–2011

President of the jury from 2002 to 2011. Kazuko Hirabayashi (1933-2016) was born in Nagano (Japan). In 1957 she moved to New York to study contemporary dance. She graduated from the Julliard School and danced as a professional in Martha Graham's company. After ten fruitful years, in 1967 she founded the acclaimed dance-theater company Kazuko Hirabayashi, touring Europe and the United States. In her creative career she has at least 60 choreographic works and international awards such as the Nimura, the Doris Humphrey in Choreography awarded by the National Council for the Arts of the State of New York and the Chancellor of New York, among others.  She also stands out as a great teacher of modern dance in the most prestigious schools in Europe and Japan. However, she has concentrated her teaching activity in the United States at the Julliard School, the Martha Graham School, the Alvin Ailey Dance Center and the State University of New York at Purchase, where she is also dean.

JOSÉ CARLOS MARTÍNEZ

2012-2013

President of the jury from 2012 to 2013. Dancer and choreographer José Carlos Martínez (Cartagena), former artistic director of the National Dance Company of Spain and current director of the Paris Opera Ballet, began his ballet studies in Cartagena with Pilar Molina. Between 1984 and 1987 he studied at the Centre de Danse International Rosella Hightower. In that last year he won the 'Prix de Lausanne' and entered the school of the Paris Opera. In 1988 he was personally chosen by Rudolf Nureyev to join the corps de ballet of the Paris Opera Ballet. In 1992 he won the Gold Medal at the International Competition of Varna being the first and only Spanish to achieve this distinction. In 1997 he was named star dancer of the Paris Opera Ballet, the highest category in the hierarchy of the formation. Throughout his career he has received important awards such as the National Dance Prize. The French Ministry of Culture named him Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters and the Japanese magazine Shinshokan Dance Magazine recognizes him as one of the best dancers in the world. His repertoire includes great classical ballets such as 'Swan Lake', 'Giselle' or 'Romeo and Juliet' or neoclassical ballets by Ashton, Balanchine, MacMillan, Graham, Grigorovich, Tudor, Lifar, Lander, Taylor, among others. He has worked with most of the great choreographers of the 20th century and some of them have created ballets for him. He has also danced in other companies as a guest artist. Parallel to his activities at the Paris Opera, in 2002, José Martinez launched 'José Martinez en Compagnie', where he carefully chooses the programs of his training, combining the tradition of the classical repertoire with contemporary creation. In this way, he seeks to offer the public a wide range of possibilities to enjoy the richness of dance. In 2006 she began her collaboration with the Conservatoire Supérieur de Paris where she created 'Favoritita' and 'Ouverture en Deux mouvements'. He has given master classes and workshops in several Spanish conservatories and at the Andalusian Dance Center. In 2010 he is a guest teacher at the National Ballet of Turkey where, at the same time, he staged 'Mi Favorita' for the company. As a choreographer he has created several pieces such as 'Mi Favorita', 'Delibes-Suite', 'Scaramouche', 'Paréntesis 1', 'Soli Ter', 'El Olor de la Ausencia', 'Les Enfants du Paradis' or 'Marco Marco Polo, the Last Mission'.

IVÁN GIL-ORTEGA

2014-2015

President of the jury from 2014 to 2015. Born in Madrid, he trained at the school of the Gran Teatro del Liceo Joan Magrinya Barcelona and later at the school of Carmen Roche in Madrid. In 1995 he joined the Stuttgart Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet, in 1996 he became a soloist at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, returning to Stuttgart also as a soloist in 1997, being promoted there in 2001 to principal dancer until 2007 when he left Stuttgart to join the Het National Ballet Amsterdam also as principal dancer. During his career he has danced all the principal roles of the Stuttgart Ballet. In September 2009 he was awarded the Leonide Massine International Dance Prize, also known as Premio Positano 'Léonide Massine' per l'Arte della Danza. Her repertoire also includes leading roles in choreographies by Hans van Manen, Uwe Scholtz, David Bintley, Jerome Robbins, William Forsyte, George Balanchine, Mauro Bigonzeti, Nicolo Fonte, Goyo Montero, Christian Spuck or Derek Deane, among others. Many of these choreographers have created roles especially for him. Since the end of 2007 Gil-Ortega has been working as a freelance dancer being invited by major companies worldwide and since 2009 he has expanded his activities working as an assistant director and staging of ballets of great choreographers, including Goyo Montero, who since the beginning of their respective careers as dancers have worked in close collaboration. He also works with the renowned English choreographer Derek Deane, the current director of the Zurich Opera Ballet Christian Spuck and the Spanish choreographer Cayetano Soto. Special mention should also be made of his work at the Royal Ballet in London with Carlos Acosta.

CATHERINE ALLARD

2016-2017

President of the jury from 2016 to 2017. Born in Brussels in 1960, she studied classical dance in Brussels with Carmen Roche and Victor Ullate. In 1978, she entered Maurice Béjart's Mudra School of Performing Arts, where she worked in classical dance with teachers José Parés and Azari Plissetski, and contemporary dance with teachers Lydia Azzopardi and Flora Cushman, among others. Her first professional contract was signed in 1980 with the Junior Ballet of the Nederlands Dans Theater, and two years later she joined the Nederlands Dans Theater. During these years, besides dancing most of the creations of Jiri Kylián, director of the company, she also worked with other choreographers such as Billy Forsythe, Christopher Bruce, Ohad Naharin, Mats Ek, Nils Cristie, Hans Van Manen, Daniel Larrieu and Nacho Duato. It was at this time that her relationship with Duato began, dancing all the choreographies created for the NDT and forming a dance partnership. For her performance in starring roles in 'Bolero' and 'Arenal' by Nacho Duato, she received the Dutch Zilveren Theater Dans Prijs award in 1988. In September 1990 she joined the National Dance Company as a principal dancer. In May 1991 she danced at the Jerusalem Festival as a guest artist with the Bathseva Dance Company in the choreographies 'Tabula Rasa' and 'Queens of Golub', by its director Ohad Naharin. The beginning of her own choreographic creations were the pieces 'Elle et Aile' (1995) and 'Poco a Poco' (1996) for the workshops of the National Dance Company and 'En informe de soi' (1999) for IT Dansa. In 1996 she recreated for the Grand Ballet Canadien and the Grand Ballet de Genève, the 'Cor perdut' by Nacho Duato. In Barcelona she gave her last performance with the National Dance Company in the Grec 96 festival, to begin a new professional stage with the proposal of the Diputació de Barcelona to be in charge of the artistic direction of IT Dansa Joven Compañía del Institut del Teatre. In December 1996 she took on the new challenge, work that she did simultaneously with her career as a dancer. In 2001 she won the National Dance Prize, awarded by the Department of Culture of the Generalitat de Catalunya. She is currently the artistic director of the company IT Dansa.

ANTONIO NAJARRO

2018

President of the jury in 2018. Antonio Najarro (Madrid, 1975) is a dancer and choreographer, trained by the most prestigious dance masters in all styles. He graduated with honors in Spanish Dance at the Real Conservatorio Profesional de Danza Mariemma in Madrid, performing as prima ballerina choreographies by masters Rafael Aguilar, Antonio Gades, Alberto Lorca, Mariemma, José Antonio Ruiz and José Granero, among others. Antonio Najarro was appointed director of the Ballet Nacional de España in April 2011, a position he held until September 2019. His professional career began when he was 15 years old, when he was part of the most renowned Spanish dance companies such as Ballet Antología, Ballet del Teatro Lírico de La Zarzuela, Compañía Antonio Márquez, José Antonio y los Ballets Españoles and Compañía de Aída Gómez, performing as Principal Dancer choreographies by Mariemma, José Granero, Alberto Lorca, José Antonio, Antonio Gades, among others. In 1996, he is guest soloist in the work 'La Gitana', choreographed by José Antonio Ruiz and Paul Chalmer, with the Ballet del ́Arena di Verona under the direction of Carla Fracci. He joined the Ballet Nacional de España (BNE) in 1997, under the direction of Aurora Pons, Nana Lorca and Victoria Eugenia and three years later, he ascended to the category of Prima Ballerina with Aída Gómez in the artistic direction of the company. His creative vocation soon led him to choreograph, participating in several editions of the Choreographic Contest of Spanish Dance and Flamenco of Madrid with 'Suspiro del Moro', 'Movimientos Reversos' and 'Nereidas', first prize for best choreography in the VIII edition of the same contest and later included in the repertoire of the BNE. He created his own Antonio Najarro Company in 2002, for which he has choreographed four productions. He is also a regular creator of pieces for great figures of figure skating on ice, winning the Gold Medal at the Olympic Winter Games Salt Lake City (2002) with 'Flamenco' for the French couple Marina Anissina and Gwendal Peizerat and with 'Poet and Autumn Porteño' (2006-2008) for the Swiss World Champion, Stephane Lambiel and Gold Medals at the Boston World Championships (2016) and European Championships (2017) for the Spanish Javier Fernandez with the choreography 'Malagueña' by Ernesto Lecuona. In the months of October and November 2021 Antonio Najarro presents and directs with great success the program 'Un País en Danza' for La2 of RTVE. A program that features several of the most relevant faces of dance in Spain, as well as personalities from the world of theater, cinema, sports, music, fashion, etc. Currently Najarro has premiered the new show for his dance company, 'Querencia', a large-format show created for 16 dancers. For it he has commissioned the pianist and composer Moisés Sánchez an original score for symphony orchestra that has been recorded by the Orquesta de Extremadura. The premiere of 'Querencia' has meant a new press and public success for the company.

RUBÉN OLMO

2019

President of the jury in 2019. Rubén Olmo discovered his love for dance at an early age. At the age of nine he entered the Conservatory of Seville, where he graduated in Spanish Dance and Classical Dance in 1996. There she had as teachers, among others, Marisol Delgado, José Manuel Moreno and Pepa Coral. During his training period he also took classes at the schools of Manolo Marín, Carmen Montiel and José Galván and attended courses with Pedro Azorín, Juanjo Linares, Victoria Eugenia, 'Manolote', 'Güito', Mario Maya, José Granero, Javier Latorre, Aída Gómez, Nadín Astor, Antonio Canales, Teresa Nieto, Rosa Naranjo and Carmina Ocaña. His professional career as a dancer began at the age of 16, when he joined the Javier Barón Company, with which he participated in the show 'El pájaro negro', with Belén Maya as the main dancer. A year later he joined the Spanish Dance Company of Aída Gómez, where he performed as a soloist dancer in the show 'Estamos solos', choreographed by José Antonio, Javier Latorre and Aída Gómez. He also participated in the production of the Teatro de la Zarzuela 'El barberillo de Lavapiés', choreographed by Ramón Oller. In 1998, at the age of 18, he joined the corps de ballet of the Spanish National Ballet (BNE) under the direction of Aída Gómez and was promoted to soloist dancer a year later. During his time at the BNE he performed as a principal dancer in the productions 'Luz de alma', choreographed by Javier Latorre; 'La Celestina', choreographed by Ramón Oller and stage directed by Adolfo Marsillach; 'Poeta', by Javier Latorre; 'Carmen', by José Antonio Ruiz; 'Ritmos', by Alberto Lorca; 'Oripando (Farruca)', by Israel Galván; and 'Grito (Alegrías)', by Antonio Canales. In 2002, she decided to leave the BNE and join Eva Yerbabuena's Company. Although he has continued to collaborate with the BNE subsequently as a choreographer and guest dancer in, among others, the production 'Fallen Angels'. Before fulfilling his dream of forming his own company in 2006, he worked as first dancer, choreographer and assistant director in Rafael Amargo's company. For the company that bears his name, Rubén Olmo has created several productions. He has been a teacher at the Centro Andaluz de Danza (CAD) from 2008 to 2019 and director of the Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía (BFA) from 2011 to 2013. He has also collaborated, as a guest dancer or choreographer, with the most important dance companies and artists in Spain. National Dance Award in 2015, Rubén Olmo has been awarded throughout his career with the Max Award (2014), the Silver Slipper of Indanza (2012), the Giraldillo of the Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla (2010) or the Pilar López Dance Performance Award (2007). His stagings have also received awards, including the Critics' Prize of the Festival de Jerez (2019) for 'Horas contigo' or the Giraldillo Ciudad de Sevilla (2016) for 'Toda la vida bailando'. Since September 2019 Rubén Olmo has been the director of the Ballet Nacional de España.

LUIS MARTÍN OYA

2023

He was born in Madrid and began her classical dance studies with maestro Pedro de la Cruz. He graduated from the Real Conservatorio Superior de Danza de Madrid and from L'École de Danse Clasique Princesse Grace de Monte Carlo directed by Marika Bessobrasova.  In 1987 he joined the National Dance Company under the direction of Maya Plisetskaya, a period in which he began to perform his first roles as a soloist dancer. With the incorporation of Nacho Duato to the direction of the company, he was promoted to first dancer. 

Throughout 16 years, he participated in all the creations of Valencian choreographer and danced most of the repertoire of the CND, which also included pieces by great international choreographers such as Jiri Kylian, William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin or Mats Ek, with whom he had the opportunity to work personally.  He performed in numerous international galas and was invited by Alicia Alonso to participate in the gala of the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Ballet of Cuba. After finishing his career as a performer, Nacho Duato incorporates him into the production team of the CND as tour manager, reaching the position of Production Director. During this time, and on behalf of the CND, he has collaborated with EmprendeEscena-Factoría Cultural as a mentor, advising new cultural projects nationwide. 

He collaborates in conservatories, universities and international dance schools as a choreographer and guest teacher specializing in works by Nacho Duato. He holds an advanced degree in business management from ESERP (Madrid) and a Master in Internalization and Cooperation in Cultural and Creative Sector Management from the Complutense University of Madrid. He has been a lecturer in the area of cultural management at the Complutense University of Madrid and has worked on various cultural development projects between public and private entities at national and international level. He is currently the assistant director of the Nacho Duato Academy in Madrid.

ROSÁNGELES VALLS

2020

President of the jury in 2020. She is second vice-president of the Academy of Performing Arts of Spain in the first and second Board of Directors. Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts 2019; National Dance Award 2006, in the modality of creation; and Precrea 2020 Award in Performing Arts granted by the five Valencian public universities. She holds a degree from the Professional Dance Conservatory of Valencia, a degree in Choreography and Dance Performance and a Master in Cultural Management -Music, Theater and Dance- from the Complutense Institute of Musical Sciences of the Complutense University of Madrid, promotion 1995-1997.

With extensive training in classical ballet and contemporary dance, her professional career includes choreographic creation, stage direction, performance and teaching, as well as management and production. He consolidated his training in Paris under the guidance of great masters. Since 1981, together with his brother Edison, he has directed Ananda Dansa, one of the most consolidated companies on the Spanish stage, whose shows develop their own language, the result of years of research and experimentation, in which he incorporates many elements from the theater into creative dance. After thirty-eight years of constant presence on stage, Ananda Dansa said goodbye to the public on February 22, 2020, in the Sala Roja of the Teatros del Canal in Madrid, with 'Âtman, el comiat', the show with which it closed its career. His shows have won 10 Max awards.

CARMEN ROCHE

2021

President of the jury in 2021. The work of this choreographer, director and former dancer is as extensive as it is relevant in the dance of our country. She began studying with María de Ávila in Zaragoza and at the age of 13 she was already dancing in the Ballet de Antonio, where she performed roles as a soloist. Her passage through the Ballet Gulbenkian of Portugal in 1966 began an international career that she would develop until 1979. In the Ballet of the 20th Century, directed by Maurice Béjart, Carmen Roche developed an important artistic work. First as a dancer, soloist of the main works of the company as 'Cantata 51', 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'The Rite of Spring'. Later, as a ballet teacher and director of teaching at the Mudra School, led by Béjart, her pedagogical work has been very significant and she has developed it with advanced courses, master classes and conferences for prestigious schools and international companies. She returned to Spain in 1979 as assistant director of the National Classical Ballet and director of the National School of Classical Dance. In 1984 she created the Centro Internacional de Danza de Madrid and since 2002 she has directed the Centro de Artes Escénicas SCAENA. The Carmen Roche Ballet and a foundation complete the vast curriculum of this dance personality. In 2012 she was awarded the Gold Medal of Fine Arts and had already held the Silver Medal since 1995. In 2020 she was recognized with the Actúa Award of the AISGE Foundation.

GOYO MONTERO

2022

President of the jury in 2022. Goyo Montero trained with Carmen Roche and completed his studies at the Royal Conservatory of Dance in Madrid and at the National Ballet School of Cuba. Among the awards in his career as a dancer are the 'Prix de Lausanne' and the Gold Medal at the International Competition in Luxembourg. In the 2003-2004 season he was nominated Best Dancer by the critics of the specialized magazine Dance Europe. Montero was Principal Dancer at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, as well as soloist at the Leipzig Opera, the State Theater of Wiesbaden and the Royal Ballet of Flanders, being also invited to the National Ballet of Mexico, the Perth City Ballet and the Ballet of Europe, among others. As a choreographer he has created for companies such as the Royal Ballet London, Les Ballets de Montecarlo, the Compañía Nacional de Danza, the Ballet Nacional Sodre, the Ballet Oper Perm/Diana Vishneva Context Festival, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Kiel Opera, Ankara and Izmir State Ballet, Modern Dance Turkey, the Gregor Seyffert Company, the Carmen Roche Ballet, the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, the Ballet de Teatres de la Generalitat Valenciana and Maggio Danza Fiorentino. Since the 2008-2009 season he is director and principal choreographer at the Nuremberg State Theater Ballet -Staatstheater Nürnberg Ballett (Germany). For his company he has created 22 creations. Since 2019 he is resident choreographer of the company Acosta Danza and a long relationship links him to the prestigious competition 'Prix de Lausanne'. His awards as a choreographer include the Villa de Madrid Prize, the First Prize of the Ibero-American Choreography Competition, the Villanueva Prize awarded by the UNEAC (Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba) and the Teatro de Madrid Prize, all in 2006. In 2011 he was awarded the National Dance Prize and in 2014 he received the Bavarian Cultural Prize. In 2018 Montero and his company the Nuremberg State Ballet receive the German National Dance Prize for their extraordinary achievements.