LA NOTTE MAGAZINE

We have spoken with Denis Watanabe, who won the Silver Medal in the Boys’ Solo category at the International Ballet Competition in Moscow last week. Denis has proven himself an expressive and technical dancer on stage, but it’s time to ‘meet the talent’ offstage.

Denis, congratulations on winning a Silver medal at the Moscow Ballet Competition! This isn’t your first competition. What are your impressions of participating? How do you usually cope with the nerves?

Honestly, since it’s been a long time after I did my last competition which was YAGP in 2022, I felt like it’s the first time I’m in a competition. It felt completely different sensation than just performing in galas. More pressure, more fear before stepping onto the stage.

You came across as a vibrant and charismatic performer in expressive roles such as Basilio and Philippe in The Flames of Paris. Did you choose the roles for the competition because they reflect your personality, or did you want to challenge yourself by showing something different?

Don Quixote and Philippe in the Flames of Paris have always been in my blood since childhood, but since I started studying in Monaco, I haven’t really had an opportunity to perform them. Then I thought this competition could be a chance to come back to my origin and show what I’m good at.

In the second round, you performed a contemporary piece (Urge) that you choreographed yourself. What did you want to express through it?

I wanted to express my feelings about the competition. An urge to go for it, an urge to show who I am. This was my concept of the piece.

Was this your choreographic debut, or had you created anything before?

No, I have actually done it a few times because in our school (Academie Princesse Grace Monaco), once a year there is an examination of our own choreographic work. So I was more or less used to choreographing and dancing it.

Did you watch the other competitors, or did you support your friends in other categories?

Yes, I supported a few of my friends, for example, Crystal Huang, Alexei Orohovsky, and especially Ryoma Hudzeleu from the Senior group since we have know each other from our childhood and we’re still close friends.

What inspires you, both in ballet and in everyday life?

Music and the pure joy inside me inspire me to give the excitement to the people watching and to feel good in life (smiles).

Thank you, Denis, for sharing about yourself and your emotions after the competition. Good luck on your way forward!

Interview: Julia Sumzina
Photos: International Ballet Competition in Moscow (www.moscowballetcompetition.com ), Yoshihito Sasaguchi, David Raccanello