Royal Ballet School students perform at the Winter Youth Olympics

On Thursday 9 January 2020, 14 2nd Year students had the incredible experience of performing in the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The students performed a short section from Didy Veldman’s piece Is to Be that she created for the Prix de Lausanne partner schools last year in front of 8,000 spectators.

Other performances throughout the Ceremony included world champion and Olympic medallist Stéphane Lambiel skating to a live orchestra rendition of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.

2nd Year student Viola Pantuso said: ‘Performing in the Winter Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will never forget. I was greatly inspired… dancing and celebrating the Olympic Spirit surrounded by the best, most elite young athletes from around the world.’

Artistic Director Christopher Powney said: ‘It was thrilling to see them up on stage with all of the young Olympic athletes from all over the world. A truly memorable experience for our students.’

Watch the students perform at the Winter Youth Olympic Games