English National Ballet Announces Winners of Emerging Dancer 2022

English National Ballet is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2022 Emerging Dancer Award is Eric Snyder.

Having performed a pas de deux from The Sleeping Beauty and Cha Cha and Tiara, a new contemporary piece choreographed by Rentaro Nakaaki, with his partner Chloe Keneally, Eric was announced as the winner during the worldwide broadcast of the event from the Holloway Production Studio at English National Ballet’s home, The Mulryan Centre for Dance last Thursday. 

Of winning the 2022 Emerging Dancer Award, Eric said: “I really am so grateful for this. A big thank you to my mentors James and Shiori who were a rock for both me and my beautiful, amazing partner Chloe. Thank you to those who nominated me and the panel for what they saw in me. My Mom arranged a huge viewing party back home, it’s so special to know they have been watching!”

The evening also saw Emilia Cadorin named as the recipient of the Corps de Ballet Award, acknowledging her exceptional work over the last year, while Precious Adams was awarded the People’s Choice Award, as voted for by members of the public throughout the season.

Of winning the 2022 Corps de Ballet Award, Emilia said: “I really was not expecting this! I want to thank my colleagues who inspire me to improve every day.”

Of winning the 2022 People’s Choice Award, Precious said: “This is a real surprise, it is great to receive this recognition! Since Covid every performance has felt so precious and I am honoured to have that acknowledged by the audience”

Emerging Dancer 2022 is supported by CHANEL, extending the House’s 100-year legacy of cultural engagement to imagine the next. The annual event allows English National Ballet to recognise the excellence of its artists. This year’s judging panel included Dana Fouras, Céline Gittens, Kamara Gray, Tamara Rojo CBE, Sir Alistair Spalding CBE and Joseph Toonga,

Tamara Rojo CBE, Artistic Director of English National Ballet said: “Emerging Dancer is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the bright future of ballet. Watching this incredible showcase of the immense talent among the Company’s rising stars is always a joy and a privilege. The talent and skill we saw on stage tonight was extraordinary. Eric showed beautiful qualities in both the classical and contemporary pieces. He is a dancer with enormous potential, and I am delighted this was seen by the jury who agreed unanimously on this year’s winner. Huge congratulations to all the finalists for an evening of fantastic performances.”

The other finalists this year were Matthew Astley, Ashley Coupal, Noam Durand, Chloe Keneally and Angela Wood. 

English National Ballet Philharmonic performed live throughout the evening and the event, which was hosted by radio presenter Jordan Lee, finished with a pas de deux from Le Corsaire performed by the reigning Emerging Dancer winner Ivana Bueno and People’s Choice Victor Prigent. 

A full recording of the broadcast will be available on English National Ballet’s YouTube channel for the next 30 days.