Dear Friends,
It is with great pleasure that we embark on the 21st
season of Youth America Grand Prix. Last year was a humbling and awe-inspiring celebration of twenty years as the largest global network of dance. Over 12,000 dance students from across the United States and 10 international locations participated in YAGP's scholarship auditions, educational workshops, and master classes, culminating in our 20th Anniversary NY Finals.
Our
20th Anniversary celebration was filled with thrilling events, including the “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow" Gala and the 1st International Dance School Festival at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. The Gala featured
YAGP alumni whose careers have flourished in renowned dance companies around the world, a tribute to the late Arthur Mitchell by the amazing Cicely Tyson, and two exciting world premieres from emerging choreographers: one by Brazilian choreographer Juliano Nunes to the music of Karen LeFrak, and one by YAGP alumna and American Ballet Theatre dancer Melanie Hamrick to a special musical arrangement by Mick Jagger. None of this would have been possible without friends and supporters like you.
As we travel to all corners of the globe this fall to find and nurture aspiring young talent wherever it may be, we hope that you will join us in helping these dancers achieve their dreams, make meaningful connections within the international dance community, and become even more inspired and enriched by the artform they love. We are convinced that the future of dance has never been brighter – here’s to ensuring it together.
With warmest regards,
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Larissa Saveliev
Artistic Director, Founder
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YAGP 2020 INTERNATIONAL SEMI-FINALS
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YAGP 2019
NY
Finals Top Winners // Video: VAM
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Madison Penney (Master Ballet Academy, AZ) & Antonio Casalinho (Academia Annarella, Brazil), 1st Place Classical Pas de Deux, YAGP 2019 NY Finals // Photo: VAM
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YAGP 2020 U.S. & CANADA SEMI-FINALS
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Grand Defilé, YAGP 2019 Gala, "Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow" at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center // Photo: VAM
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YAGP 2019 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
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Click
here
to read about YAGP's spectacular 20th Anniversary celebration in the
New York Social Diary
.
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Hee Seo & Cory Stearns (YAGP Alumni, ABT Principal Dancers) perform at YAGP 2019 Gala, "Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow" at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center // Photo: VAM
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World-renowned Principal Guest Artist, Lucia Lacarra, & Fabrice Calmels (Joffrey Ballet) perform at YAGP 2019 Gala, "Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow" at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center // Photo: VAM
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Kimin Kim (Principal Dancer, Mariinsky Ballet) performs at YAGP 2019 Gala, "Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow" at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center // Photo: VAM
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Melanie Hamrick (YAGP Alumna, Emerging Choreographer, & ABT dancer) & Mick Jagger at an event celebrating Melanie's World Premiere at YAGP's 20th Anniversary Gala // Photo: Rob Rich
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YAGP 2019 "Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow" Gala Co-Chairs, Mary-Kate Olsen & Ashley Olsen
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YAGP 2019 "Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow" Gala Co-Chairs: Annelise Peterson Winter, Candice Miller, Lesley Thompson Vecsler, Marcella Guarino Hymowitz, Ashley Olsen, Mary-Kate Olsen, and Rebecca Hessel Cohen
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YAGP INTERNATIONAL DANCE SCHOOL FESTIVAL
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As part of YAGP's 20th Anniversary Gala celebration at Lincoln Center, we were thrilled to present the 1st
International Dance School Festival
(IDSF). This unprecedented performance featured talented students from YAGP's partner schools and companies in one unforgettable dance evening. We are already preparing for the 2020 International Dance School Festival and looking forward to sharing more news about this exciting event throughout the season.
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2019 IDSF Participating Schools & Companies:
ABT Studio Company (USA)
Australian Ballet School (Australia)
Berlin State Ballet School (Germany)
Bolshoi Ballet Academy (Moscow State Academy of Choreography, Russia)
Boston Ballet II (USA)
English National Ballet School (UK)
Houston Ballet Academy (USA)
John Cranko School at The Stuttgart Ballet (Germany)
Palucca School, Dresden (Germany)
Princess Grace Academy (Monaco)
San Francisco Ballet School (USA)
The Rock School for Dance Education (USA)
University of North Carolina School of the Arts (USA)
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Princess Grace Academy (Monaco) dancers perform choreography by Jean-Christophe Maillot // Photo: VAM
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Palucca School Dresden (Germany) dancers perform choreography by David Dawson // Photo: VAM
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English National Ballet School (UK) dancers perform choreography by
Carlos Valcárcel
// Photo: VAM
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ABT Studio Company (USA) dancers perform the Don Quixote Pas de Deux // Photo: VAM
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YAGP 2019 International Dance School Festival participants take their final bow at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center // Photo: VAM
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SAVE THE DATE
YAGP 2020 GALAS
Featuring YAGP Alumni
YAGP Gala “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow”
David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa, FL
YAGP & Ballet West present:
“
Night of Shining Stars
”
Capitol Theatre, Salt Lake City, UT
YAGP 2020 Gala,
“Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow”*
David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, New York City
*For information about YAGP 2020 NYC Gala sponsorship, contact Julia Kramer, Manager of Operations, at 646.541.4592 or
jkramer@yagp.org
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NEW! JUDGES' CHOICE ENSEMBLE AWARD
In celebration of the multitude and diversity of talent in the Ensemble category, YAGP is pleased to present a new, special award this season: the
"Judges' Choice"
Award. This exciting new award will be presented during YAGP semi-finals,
by the discretion of the Jury,
to the Ensemble piece demonstrating exceptional artistry, impressive technique, and memorable choreography.
Winners of this award will be eligible for consideration for inclusion in YAGP Gala performances and will receive a $500 cash prize for the school presenting the winning number, an invitation to the NY Finals, and features in YAGP social media.
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Unison Dance Academy (Israel) performs excerpts from Decadance by Ohad Naharin,
1st Place Ensembles, YAGP 2019 NY Finals // Video: VAM
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Students perform at the YAGP 2019 Gala, "Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow" at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center // Photo: VAM
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NEWS FROM YAGP PARTICIPANTS
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Throughout YAGP's 20th Anniversary Season, hundreds of scholarships and acceptances were offered to the leading schools, companies, and institutions worldwide. Below are only a few highlights of where YAGP participants are heading next. We congratulate all scholarship recipients and wish them the very best on their journeys ahead!
Click
here
for the complete list of YAGP 2019 season finalists who have accepted their scholarships offers.
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Darrion Sellman
(Los Angeles Ballet Academy, CA), recipient of the Youth Grand Prix Award at YAGP 2019 NY Finals, will be joining the Princess Grace Academy in Monaco this fall.
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Summer Duyvestyn
(Classical Coaching Australia, AU), who placed among the Top 12 Junior Women and received the Shelley King Award for Excellence at YAGP 2019 NY Finals, received a scholarship to the Paris Opera Ballet School. She will be joining POBS this fall.
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Ruth Schultz
(Ellison Ballet - Professional Training Program, NY), who placed among the Top 12 Senior Women at YAGP 2019 NY Finals, will be joining the John Cranko School at Stuttgart Ballet in Germany this fall.
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Arthur Erlanson
(Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy, CA), has joined ABT Studio Company this season.
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JOLIE ROSE LOMBARDO'S INSPIRING STORY
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After being diagnosed with a spinal tumor earlier this year and being told she might never walk
–
or dance
–
again, Jolie Rose Lombardo refused to give up and worked hard to regain her strength. Her unwavering belief, resiliency, and bravery led her to a recovery that was nothing short of a miracle. Here is her
inspiring
story
, as it appeared in
Pointe
Magazine.
Jolie Rose was the recipient of the first Shelley King Award in 2016 and the Junior Women’s Gold Medalist in 2018. She is currently studying at the John Cranko School at Stuttgart Ballet on the scholarship she received at YAGP.
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Jolie Rose with YAGP Founder & Artistic Director Larissa Saveliev at the YAGP 2019 NY Finals // Photo: Instagram
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Click
here
to see the complete (and constantly growing) list of Alumni Success Stories.
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American Ballet Theatre
Aran Bell
and
Joo Won Ahn
promoted to Soloist.
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Aran Bell (ABT) performs at YAGP in 2009 // Photo: VAM
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Joo Won Ahn (ABT) performs Le Corsaire // Photo: Rosalie O’Connor
Aran Bell (ABT) performs Swan Lake // Photo: Gene Schiavone
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Boston Ballet
Chrystyn Fentroy
promoted to Soloist.
Emily Entingh
promoted to Second Soloist.
Chisako Oga
joined the company as Second Soloist.
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Chisako Oga (Boston Ballet) performs at YAGP in 2011 // Photo: VAM
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English National Ballet
Ken Saruhashi
promoted to First Soloist.
Julia Conway
and
Daniel McCormick
promoted to First Artist.
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Daniel McCormick (ENB) performs at YAGP in 2013 // Photo: VAM
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National Ballet of Canada
Donald Thom
promoted to First Soloist.
Koto Ishihara
joined the company as First Soloist.
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Koto Ishihara (National Ballet of Canada) // Photo: Erik Thomasson
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The Royal Ballet
Marcelino Sambe
promoted to Principal Dancer.
David Yudes
promoted to Soloist.
Yu Hang, Harrison Lee, Katharina Nikelski,
and
Amelia Townsend
joined the company.
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Marcelino Sambe (Royal Ballet) performs at YAGP in 2009 // Photo: VAM
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David Yudes (Royal Ballet) performs at YAGP in 2010 // Photo: VAM
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San Francisco Ballet
Esteban Hernandez
and
WanTing Zhao
promoted to Principal Dancer.
Madison Keesler
and
Cavan Conley
promoted to Soloist.
Sasha Mukhamedov
joined the company as Soloist.
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Esteban Hernandez (SFB) performs at YAGP in 2008 // Photo: VAM
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Sasha Mukhamedov (SFB) performs at YAGP in 2007 // Photo: VAM
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We are always delighted to share alumni updates with the dance community. Please
email us
if you have any news you wish to share, and we will be sure to include it in future newsletters.
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YAGP Alumna and NYCB Principal Dancer
Sara Mearns
has been named a
2019 Dance Magazine Award Honoree
.
This prestigious award, dating back to 1954, recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact in the world of dance. Larissa Saveliev, YAGP Founder and Artistic Director, was an Honoree in 2014. We congratulate Sara with this well-deserved honor. The 2019 Dance Magazine Awards will take place Monday, December 9, at the Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York City.
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Sara Mearns (YAGP Alumna, NYCB Principal) // Photo: Erin Baiano
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YAGP Alumnus and ABT Principal
James Whiteside
’s new work,
New American Romance
, will receive its
New York premiere
at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center this fall following its world premiere at the Vail Dance Festival in July.
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Calvin Royal III and Joo Won Ahn (YAGP Alumni, ABT Soloists) and Devon Teuscher (ABT Principal) performing New American Romance at the 2019 Vail Dance Festival // Photo: Instagram
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YAGP Alumna and ABT Soloist
Catherine Hurlin
recently starred in the world premiere of Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY's innovative
@giselle
at the Vancouver Playhouse in British Columbia, alongside National Ballet of Canada Principal
Harrison James
and YAGP Alumnus & Pennsylvania Ballet Principal
Sterling Baca.
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Watch Catherine Hurlin rehearse choreography by Joshua Beamish // Video by Jacob Hiss
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Enjoy a peek inside Veronika Part's YAGP
Master Class
from the 2019 Finals and this video of the
White Swan Pas de Deux
, which she performed with Marcelo Gomes, in
YAGP presents
"Ballet's Greatest Hits."
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English National Ballet School
, a YAGP partner school, has appointed
Viviana Durante
as Director of Dance for the 2019/2020 academic year.
Photo: Chris McAndrew
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YAGP SUMMER SOIREE HONORING LAUREN LOVETTE
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Summer Soirée Guest of Honor Lauren Lovette (YAGP Alumna, NYCB Principal Dancer) & Matt Tolstoy // Photo: Richard Lewin
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YAGP's 20th Anniversary Season celebrations have included a Summer Soirée in the Hamptons, honoring YAGP alumna and long-time friend, NYCB Principal Dancer and choreographer,
Lauren Lovette
. Enjoy this
photo slideshow
from
Vogue
’s coverage of this special event, and sign up
here
to receive future invitations.
A special
thank you
to John and Elizabeth Sills, YAGP board members, who graciously hosted YAGP friends and supporters at their beautiful home for this lovely event celebrating 20 years of YAGP empowering young dancers.
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CELEBRATING MARCELINO SAMBE
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Friends gathered while YAGP Alumnus
Marcelino Sambe
was performing in New York to celebrate his recent promotion to Principal Dancer at The Royal Ballet.
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There are many ways to
support YAGP's efforts
and
make a difference
in young dancers' lives across the globe, such as these students from the
Institut de Danse Lynn Williams Rouzier
in Haiti.
After a devastating year that included being struck by a hurricane and losing their school in a fire, they were still able to attend the 2019 NY Finals and participate in this life-changing experience
—
all thanks to a generous donation from one of our sponsors.
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To ensure the future of dance and help facilitate scholarships for deserving young dance students worldwide, for any questions, or to personalize a donation,
contact Julia Kramer, Manager of Operations, at 646.541.4592 or
jkramer@yagp.org
.
As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization, all gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
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Do you shop on Amazon? By shopping on
smile.amazon.com
and naming
Youth America Grand Prix Inc
as your charity, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to YAGP to help us realize the next generation of dancers' dreams.
Go to
smile.amazon.com
today and select
Youth America Grand Prix Inc
as your charity of choice.
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SAVE THE DATE
April 16, 2020
"Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow"
David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center
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