Siphesihle November of The National Ballet of Canada and Catherine Hurlin of American Ballet Theatre Win The Erik Bruhn Prize

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that Siphesihle November, 20, of The National Ballet of Canada'and'Catherine'Hurlin, 23, of American Ballet Theatre'are the winners of The International Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize. The competition took place last night at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto. Each dancer receives a cash prize of $7,500 and a sculpture by Jack Culiner. Kristian Lever'from The Hamburg Ballet is the winner of the Choreographic Prize for his specially commissioned work, An intimate distance and also receives a sculpture by Jack Culiner and a cash prize of $2,500.'

Mr. November, a Corps de Ballet Member with The National Ballet of Canada, danced a pas de deux from Act II of La Sylphide for the classical section and The Other Side, a new work by Alysa Pires, for the contemporary section with Jeannine Haller.'

Ms. Hurlin, a Soloist with American Ballet Theatre, danced a pas de deux from Act III of Don Quixote for the classical section and Let Me Sing Forevermore, a new work by Jessica Lang, for the contemporary section with Aran Bell.''

Mr. Lever's award-winning new work, An intimate distance, for the contemporary section was performed by Corps de Ballet Member Sara Ezzell and Soloist Matias Oberlin of The Hamburg Ballet and was set to music by Kellen McDaniel and Marshall McDaniel.''

Participating companies included American Ballet Theatre, The Hamburg Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada and The Royal Danish Ballet.'

The evening was hosted by Principal Dancer Harrison James.'