The next year he won a gold medal at the International Prix de Lausanne Competition, and joined the Basel Ballet, where he danced for a year.

What that seems to mean is that he was trained in France and danced with Maurice Béjart, the Basel Ballet, Ballet West and the Boston Ballet.

During his tenure the Basel Ballet was recognized as one of the foremost ballet companies in all of Europe.

There followed guest appearances in Europe and a stint with the Basel Ballet, until a foot injury forced him to stop dancing for a few months.

As conductor and pianist of the Basel Ballet, Peter Dala conducted Coppélia, La fille mal gardée, The Nutcracker, and Giselle.

Take "La Fille Mal Gardee," which the Basel Ballet produced in a version by its director, Heinz Spoerli.

After returning home for a time in 1960 to perform the classics with the Basel Ballet, he went to Cologne to dance a wider contemporary repertory, including works by Balanchine.

For the young dancers, the Basel Ballet offers an early opportunity to perform star roles, which Mr. Spoerli rotates so that everyone has a chance to develop.

Other dancers in that competition have joined such companies as the San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, the Basel Ballet and the National Dance Company of Mexico.

She was accepted by the newly formed Basel Ballet, Switzerland, directed by Heinz Spoerli.