YYOUTH AMERICA GRAND PRIX

15th ANNIVERSARY SEASON

NEWSLETTER

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Whether you have been supporting YAGP for the past 15 years or are joining us for the first time this season, we would like to thank you on behalf of our Board of Directors and staff for helping YAGP become the world's largest dance education initiative!

It is through the many achievements of our illustrious alumni and

their contributions to the worldwide ballet community that speak to
the strength of YAGP's educational programming. When we hear stories
from our alumni about how the scholarships and exposure they received
at YAGP helped springboard their careers, we are reminded of the
generosity of our supporters like you who make YAGP accessible every
year to a new generation of young dancers. Your support is integral to
our organization and we look forward to your continued involvement in
YAGP for years to come.

Please click here to help us help dancers by making a tax-deductible gift of any size right now.

With deep appreciation,

Larissa and Gennadi Saveliev
Founders, Youth America Grand Prix

Fifteen Years of Excellence

2000

Brooklyn Mack

8 schools agree to award scholarships at the YAGP New York City Finals to students selected at 5 audition sites in the US - a new model for connecting talented students to educational resources through a competition model.

Among the first group of scholarship and award recipients are Elizabeth McGrath (First Soloist, Ballet West), Simone Messmer (Soloist, San Francisco Ballet), Bo Busby (Second Soloist, Boston Ballet), Christian Tworzyanski (Les Ballets de Monte Carlo), and Brooklyn Mack (The Washington Ballet).

2001

Marcelo Gomes

The Grand Prix is awarded to Bo Busby (Second Soloist, Boston Ballet).

The first "Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow"Gala, featuring American Ballet Theatre's then corps de ballet dancer Marcelo Gomes, takes place at Pace University.

Among the scholarship and award recipients are Isabella Boylston (Soloist, American Ballet Theatre) Mathias Heymann (Etoile, Paris Opera Ballet), Sara Mearns (Principal, New York City Ballet), Cory Stearns (Principal, American Ballet Theatre), and Angelina Zucarinni (Soloist, Stuttgart Ballet).

2002

Sarah Lane (ABT): Variation from "Paquita"

YAGP 2002

The Grand Prix is awarded to Matthew Golding (Principal, The Royal Ballet/ Dutch National Ballet).

Among the scholarship and award recipients are Sarah Lane (Soloist, American Ballet Theatre), Hee Seo (Principal, American Ballet Theatre) and Kenta Shimizu (Principal, K Ballet, Miami City Ballet).

The Royal Ballet School becomes the first international scholarship presenter.

The "Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow" Gala moves to Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center.

2003

Katherine Williams (ABT): Variation from the ballet Coppélia | YAGP 2005 Age 15

Katherine Williams (ABT): Variation from "Coppelia" YAGP 2005

Hee Seo (Principal, American Ballet Theatre) is awarded the Grand Prix.

Katherine Williams (American Ballet Theatre) is awarded the Youth Grand Prix.

The John Cranko School at Stuttgart Ballet and the Canada's National Ballet School join as scholarship presenters.

Among the scholarship and award recipients are Lia Cirio (Principal, Boston Ballet), Isaac Hernandez (Principal, Dutch National Ballet), Melanie Hamrick (American Ballet Theatre), and Puanani Brown (American Ballet Theatre).

2004

Whitney Jensen

Gray Davis (American Ballet Theatre) is awarded the Grand Prix.

Isaac Hernandez (Principal, Dutch National Ballet) is awarded the Youth Grand Prix.

Whitney Jensen (Principal, Boston Ballet) receives the Hope Award.

Among the scholarship and award recipients are Ryan Steele("West Side Story," "Newsies"), Skylar Brandt (American Ballet Theatre), April Giangeruso (American Ballet Theatre) and Puanani Brown (American Ballet Theatre).

As part of YAGP's Emerging Choreographers Series, YAGP presented a new work by Christopher Flemming at the "Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow" Gala.

2005

Ashley Bouder and Joaquin De Luz

The "Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow" Gala moves to New York City Center .

Mary Mills Thomas of American Ballet Theatre wins the Grand Prix.

Among the scholarship and award recipients are Daniel Camargo (Principal, Stuttgart Ballet), Katherine Williams (American Ballet Theatre), Joseph Gorak (American Ballet Theatre), Roderick George (The Goteborg Opera), Meghan Hinkis (First Artist, The Royal Ballet), and Charles Andersen (Royal Danish Ballet).

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognizes YAGP's contribution to international dance education with a membership in UNESCO's prestigious

Conseil International de la Danse (CID)

2006

The Grand Prix is awarded to Joseph Gorak (American Ballet Theatre).

The Hope Award is awarded to Kiril Kulish ("Billy Elliot").

Among the scholarship and award recipients are Jeffrey Cirio (Principal, Boston Ballet) and Calvin Royal III (American Ballet Theatre).

Darcy Bussell and David Makhateli

Joseph Gorak

YAGP presents Darcey Bussell's (The Royal Ballet) final New York appearance.

YAGP presents the New York Debuts of Denis and Anastasia Matvyenko (Bolshoi Ballet) and Artem Shpilevsky (Berlin State Opera Ballet).

2007

Melissa Hamilton (Royal Ballet): Variation from "Don Quixote"
YAGP 2007

The Grand Prix is awarded to Melissa Hamilton (First Soloist, The Royal Ballet).

Among the scholarship and award recipients are Jim Nowakowski (Demi-Soloist, Houston Ballet), Kiril Kulish ("Billy Elliot").

YAGP becomes the first organization in the 50-year history of Italy's prestigious Spoleto Dance Festival to present performances by dance students.

Marianela Nunez

YAGP presents Manuel Legris' (Paris Opera Ballet) final New York appearance, and the New York debuts of Cecilia Kerche, (Ballet Teatro Municipal de Rio de Janeiro) and Vitor Luiz (San Francisco Ballet), Alicia Amatriain (Stuttgart Ballet), Jason Reilly (Stuttgart Ballet), and Marianela Nunez (The Royal Ballet).

YAGP presents two brand new works at the "Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow" Gala by Dwight Rhoden of Complexions and Benjamin Millepied.

2008

Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev

Among the scholarship and award recipients are Vadim Muntagirov (Principal, The Royal Ballet), "First Position" star Aran Bell, Michaela de Prince (Dutch National Ballet), Caroline Baldwin (Soloist, Royal Danish Ballet), and Taylor Stanley (Soloist, New York City Ballet).

The Hope Award is given to Catherine Hurlin (American Ballet Theatre).

YAGP presents the New York Debuts of Natalia Osipova (The Royal Ballet), Polina Semionova (American Ballet Theatre), Mizuka Ueno (Tokyo Ballet), and Ivan Vasiliev (American Ballet Theatre).

YAGP premieres two new works at the "Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow" Gala by Marcelo Gomes and Adam Hougland as part of its Emerging Choreographers Series.

Jeffrey Cirio

2009

Jeffrey Cirio (Principal, Boston Ballet) receives the Grand Prix, Elisa Badenes Vazquez (Principal, Stuttgart Ballet) receives a Gold Medal, and "First Position" star Aran Bell receives the Hope Award.

Among the scholarship and award recipients are Alys Shee (Birmingham Royal Ballet), and Miko Fogarty (Indianapolis City Ballet).

Peter Pestov at "Legends in Dance"

YAGP launches its Dance in Higher Education series, connecting young dancers with college opportunities.

YAGP begins its "Legends in Dance" series, honoring master teacher Peter Pestov, and presenting the final performances of the Bolshoi Ballet's Nikolay Tsiskaridze and Berlin State Opera Ballet's Vladimir Malakhov.

During the "Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow" Gala, YAGP participants breaks the Guinness World Record for most dancers en pointe.

2010

Vladimir Vasiliev at "Legends in Dance"

William Bracewell (First Artist, Royal Birmingham Ballet) receives the

Grand Prix.

Scholarship and award recipients include Michaela de Prince (Dutch National Ballet), Beckanne Sisk (Soloist, Ballet West), Miko Forgarty, and Gabe Stone Shayer (American Ballet Theatre) .

YAGP honors Vladimir Vasiliev as part of its"Legends in Dance" series, which featured the first time pairing of Polina Semionova (American Ballet Theatre) and David Hallberg (Bolshoi Ballet).

YAGP presents the New York Debuts of Yevgenia Obraztsova (Bolshoi Ballet) and Mathilda Froustey (San Francisco Ballet).

YAGP presents a new work by Susan Jaffe of American Ballet Theatre as part of its Emerging Choreographers Series.

First Position - Official Trailer 2012

2011

As part of its Emerging Choreographers

Series, YAGP presents new works by Marcelo Gomes and Roderick George.

Among the scholarship and award recipients are Mayara Magri, "First Position" star Aran Bell, Miko Fogarty (Indianapolis City Ballet), Kozu Tashiro and Song Woo Han.

YAGP is highlighted in the documentary "First Position," the first runner-up for Best Documentary at the Toronto International Film Festival where it premiered.

YAGP appears on the Guggenheim's "Works & Process" program giving audiences an inside look at "How Judges Judge". YAGP's presentation has become the most watched program in the history of the series.

2012

Natalia Makarova at "Legends in Dance"

Kimin Kim (First Soloist, Mariinsky Ballet) receives the Grand Prix award.

Among the scholarship and award recipients are Derek Dunn, Hannah Bettes, Blake Kessler, Cameron McCune, and Juliet Doherty.

YAGP honors Prima Ballerina Natalia Makarova as part of its "Legends in Dance" series.

YAGP moves to the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, and presents the New York Debut of Yonah Acosta (English National Ballet).

YAGP presents a new work by Justin Peck (Choreographer-in-Residency, New York Choreographic Institute) as part of its Emerging Choreographers Series .

As part of its collaboration with The Juilliard School, YAGP presents The Musical Protege Series, featuring performances by Charles Yang on violin and Dimitri Dores on piano at the annual Gala.

2013

Lil Buck and Nina Ananiashvili

Among the scholarship and award recipients are Rachel Richardson, Miko Fogarty, Cesar Corrales, and Mackenzie Richter.

YAGP presents rising jookin' dance star Lil Buck, the final New York appearance of Nina Ananiashvili (State Ballet of Georgia) and a world premiere by Emery LeCrone as part its Emerging Choreographer Series.

As part of its collaboration with The Juilliard School, YAGP presents The Musical Protege Series featuring a performance by Elli Choi on violin at the annual Gala.

Calvin Royal III

2014

Among the scholarship and award recipients are Mackenzie Richter, Cesar Corrales, Juliet Doherty, Haruo Niyama, Feng Hao Liang and Blake Kessler.

Karen LeFrak and Ralph Rucci

For its 15th Anniversary Season, YAGP presents a sold out "Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow" Gala at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, featuring a world premiere of "Ameska" by Dancing with the Stars Derek Hough featuring American Ballet Theatre's Misty Copeland, and a world premiere by ABT's Gemma Bond with costumes by Ralph Rucci and music by Karen LeFrak.

As part of its Emerging Choreographers Series, YAGP premieres a new work by Andrea Schermoly.

YAGP presents the New York Debut of Evan McKie (National Ballet of Canada).

In its 15th year, thanks to generous Foundation funding, YAGP is now able to offer all talented students the opportunity to attend the New York City Finals by covering expenses for underserved, deserving young dancers.

With your help we can continue to do so and provide education and performance opportunities to young dancers across the globe.

YAGP could not have accomplished any of this without your dedication to our mission to provide scholarship auditions and performance opportunities to participants and alumni across the globe.

Click here to take part in continuing our mission by making a gift of any size right now.

YOUTH AMERICA GRAND PRIX

115 West 29th Street, Suite 803

New York, NY 10001

646.465.5933

All photos provided by VAM, Hidekai Tanioka, Gene Schiavone, and Liza Voll.