A NOTE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
On behalf of everyone at YAGP it gives me great pleasure to say that our 2018 season was the most successful on record. With added Semi-Final locations in the U.S. and abroad, more scholarships awarded to students at regional events and Finals, and with record funds raised during the “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow” Gala, we were able to provide greater opportunities for ballet students than ever before. This means that your partnership with YAGP has had a direct impact on the lives of a new generation of aspiring dancers. I look forward to our continued investment in the future of dance, as we celebrate YAGP’s 20th Anniversary together.
Larissa Saveliev
Artistic Director, Founder
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF YAGP
In 2000, YAGP held its first Finals in New York City at a small auditorium. 500 young dance students participated that year.

This past year, YAGP had over 10,000 young dance students participating in scholarship auditions in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Spain, and 25 cities in the United States. 495 solo and pas de deux dance students and 1,055 ensemble members were selected for the Final scholarship auditions and performance opportunities in New York City. At the 2018 "Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow" Gala, we raised over $100k to create a new financial aid fund to allow a greater number of young dancers from challenging economic backgrounds to participate in YAGP scholarship auditions.

 Over the past 20 years, YAGP has given over 90,000 students the opportunity to take part in workshops, auditions, and Gala performances. There are 450 alumni currently dancing in world-renowned dance companies and YAGP has partnered with over 200 judges representing many of the world's greatest ballet schools and companies. Thanks to your continued support, YAGP has changed the landscape of the dance world, growing into the world's largest ballet scholarship auditions for students, and becoming a global network for dance. YAGP has facilitated over $3.5m in scholarships to our deserving young dance students and provided opportunities to perform all over the world.
YAGP ALUMNI IN THE NEWS
Hee Seo performing at YAGP in 2003
Hee Seo debuting as Kitri in American Ballet Theatre's "Don Quixote" in 2018
Sarah Lane in 2002 when she performed at YAGP
Sarah Lane rehearsing for her debut as Kitri in American Ballet Theatre's "Don Quixote" in 2018
Aran Bell performing at YAGP in 2011
Aran Bell debuting as Romeo in American Ballet Theatre's "Romeo and Juliet" in 2018
Christine Shevchenko performing at YAGP in 2003
Christine Shevchenko as Giselle in American Ballet Theatre's "Giselle" in 2017
Jeffrey Cirio performing at YAGP in 2009
Jeffrey Cirio as the Prodigal Son in American Ballet Theatre's production of George Balanchine's "The Prodigal Son" in 2016
Skylar Campbell performing at YAGP in 2009
Skylar Campbell in The National Ballet of Canada's John Neumeier's "Nijinsky" in 2014
Francesco Gabriele Frola performing in YAGP's 2017 Gala
Francesco Gabriele Frola as a Principal dancer of The National Ballet of Canada in 2018
NEWS FROM OUR PARTICIPANTS
We’d like to tell you about several talented YAGP participants from this past season that your contributions supported.
Darrion Sellman - 13 years old - Los Angeles, CA
Despite the teasing and adversity he faced early on in his training, Darrion committed himself to dance like so many YAGP participants and alumni have done. Originally from Virginia, Darrion’s family moved to Los Angeles to better support his dance training while facing financial challenges. YAGP provided mentoring and financial support for registration fees, enabling him to accept his invitation to YAGP’s Finals where he received several scholarship offers and the Shelley King Award for Excellence, which affords him more special mentorship opportunities. Darrion will be attending the San Francisco Ballet Summer Intensive on a scholarship facilitated by YAGP.
Corbin Holloway - 10 years old - Rockville, MD
Highlighting young talent such as Corbin's is YAGP’s mission. Like so many YAGP participants, he is passionate about ballet and dreams of training abroad. This past May, Corbin performed in a fundraiser that supports tuition-free dance programs in underserved communities. YAGP covered Corbin's registration fees for Semi-Finals and Finals and this year he received the Hope Award, which is awarded to participants who display outstanding technique. Since he is so young, he will continue training at his local dance studio with mentoring opportunities from YAGP.
Petra Johnson - 13 years old - Los Angeles, CA
Petra’s first love is dance, however she is also a gifted musician. This past April, Petra was invited to play the third movement of Ravel’s "Sonatine" at Carnegie Hall and her background in piano only adds to her musicality. YAGP has covered her registration fees for the past 3 years so she can continue pursuing her dream of becoming a professional ballerina. This year she was awarded First Place at the Los Angeles Semi-Finals. This fall she will attend the Houston Ballet Academy on a short-term scholarship facilitated by YAGP.
WHAT'S NEXT
The 2019 season kicks off with our first Semi-Final in Brazil on July 12 - 16. Visit our website for the full schedule, and we hope to see you often during the season!