Junior Ballet de l'Opéra de Paris

Under the direction of José Martinez, Director of Dance at the Paris National Opera, the creation of the Junior Ballet reflects the Opera’s desire to always be in motion and to offer innovative forms of creation, education, and transmission, while preserving the centuries-old heritage of the institution.

Designed as a nursery for young talents, the Junior Ballet of the Paris Opera aims to address several objectives: diversifying the profiles of dancers, facilitating their professional integration, strengthening the connections between the School of Dance and the Ballet, and enhancing public engagement through tours and outreach activities.

By offering the public a more travel-friendly program, featuring small-scale repertoire pieces and contemporary creations, the Junior Ballet promotes a virtuous circle of transmission and enriches the Paris Opera’s choreographic season. Conceived as a means to reach new audiences, it addresses the challenge of expanding the reach of choreographic performances both nationally and internationally. In addition to touring, it will conduct artistic and cultural outreach activities across France, including meetings, practice workshops, and on-stage classes.

The Junior Ballet’s program will alternate between intensive training periods and stage performances. Throughout their training, dancers will deepen their mastery of both classical and contemporary Paris National Opera repertoire, refine their technique, elevate the quality of their interpretation, and gain invaluable stage experience through in-house performances and tours.

By offering opportunities to talents from across the globe, the Junior Ballet reflects a strong commitment to diversifying the dancers who grace the stages of the Paris Opera, aligning with the institution’s dedication to diversity and inclusion.

Following the Paris Opera Ballet’s external competition held in July 2024, 18 talented young male and female dancers were selected to join the Junior Ballet for the 2024/2025 season under a two-year professional training contract. This group will be further enhanced by the addition of 6 new dancers starting in September 2025, ultimately bringing the Junior Ballet to a total of 24 dancers.

From August to December 2024, these dancers will undergo intensive training, including daily dance classes, sessions focused on learning the Junior Ballet repertoire, artistic workshops led by specialized speakers, and thematic training sessions.

To further solidify their training and prepare them for their future careers, the Dance Direction pf Paris Opera Ballet will provide opportunities for real professional immersion, allowing the young dancers to participate in rehearsals and performances of Sleeping Beauty at the Opera Bastille from January to April 2025.

Starting in mid-March 2025, the young dancers will begin preparing for their tour program, set to commence in May 2025. The Junior Ballet has already attracted significant interest from several venues eager to host them. Among these, the Royal Opera of Versailles will feature performances by the young dancers on June 12, 13, and 14, 2025.