N E W S L E T T E R
Fall 2020
Dear Friends,
 
It is with gratitude and appreciation for our global community of dancers, teachers, schools, friends, and supporters that we welcome you to the YAGP 2021 Season. As the performing arts world has suddenly found itself on pause, YAGP has not stopped its critically important work of providing education and performance opportunities to young dancers from across the globe. 
 
If there is one thing we’ve learned over the past several months, it is that creativity and innovation knows no bounds. We have been deeply inspired by dancers all over the world as they took ballet class in their kitchens and living rooms, attended virtual summer programs, took coaching and master classes on Zoom, and used their online platforms to create stunning works of art. In doing so, they gave hope and inspiration to countless other artists — and audiences — of all ages. 
 
So although this season may look a little different, what has not changed is our commitment to the young artists of tomorrow. Whether through virtual auditions, online master classes, or digitally streamed, socially-distanced live events, we will continue connecting the world’s most promising young dance talent with scholarship and performance opportunities at the world’s leading schools and dance companies. 
 
We invite you to join us in our 22nd season of ensuring the future of dance. And remember, we are #StrongerTogether. 
 
We hope you keep dancing – whether in your studio, or in your heart!
Larissa Saveliev
Artistic Director, Founder
Gennadi Saveliev
Founder
20 years ago, Youth America Grand Prix revolutionized dance education by reinventing the way the world’s dance schools and companies find talent. It was the first competition where you could get a scholarship even if you were not a winner – and it has now become a new standard for student ballet competitions around the world.
 
This year, YAGP has done it again – by building the world's first global platform for virtual scholarship auditions, matching young dancers everywhere with education opportunities worldwide. While the world was on lockdown, hundreds of young dancers were able to audition by video using YAGP’s online platform. 
 
As a result, more than $200,000 was awarded in scholarships to dancers from 21 countries. Some started as early as this September. As YAGP continues to innovate and evolve, we wish to thank the many dance schools and programs that joined YAGP’s new virtual audition platform. Click here to see the current list of scholarships and acceptances from our spring 2020 Virtual Scholarship Audition.
Aviva Gelfer-Mundl
Currently dancing with Boston Ballet II (USA) as a result of the YAGP Virtual Scholarship Audition
Wilhelm Josue Gomez Sarria
Currently studying at Elmhurst Ballet School (UK) as a result of the YAGP Virtual Scholarship Audition
Ha Nhi Tran
Currently studying at Dutch National Ballet Academy (NETHERLANDS) as a result of the YAGP Virtual Scholarship Audition
J A P A N
YAGP 2021 season Japan semi-finals (held October 22-25, 2020 in Osaka) is a testament to YAGP’s determination and innovation in these challenging times: the travel restrictions actually worked to dancers’ benefit!

Because of not having to deal with the logistics of travel, 30 (!) judges and scholarship presenters from 12 countries on 4 continents were able to tune in online and adjudicate a digitally streamed, LIVE competition. Hundreds of dancers performed in a safe, socially distanced environment, received personalized feedback – and even scholarship invitations.

Among the highlights was a new component designed to inspire the dancers, create a sense of community, and provide further performance opportunities onstage in a year when so many dancers worldwide were suddenly left without live performances. 

Dancers in the Senior Age Division were each given the chance to use their creativity and perform a one minute segment of classical ballet repertoire (learned at home) as part of their preliminary evaluations. Participants were then placed into groups of five to perform their individual sections, along with a coda for each group learned onsite, in a “Tchaikovsky Spectacular” of waltzes from The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and The Sleeping Beauty.
Enjoy this display of beauty, creativity, and dedication of the YAGP Japan participants - and watch YAGP social media this weekend for the announcement of winners and scholarship recipients.
K O R E A
YAGP’s first international semi-final of the 2020-2021 Season took place earlier this summer, July 10-13, in Seoul, Korea, with approximately 200 young dancers — marking the world's first live ballet competition since global quarantine restrictions began to ease.

Headed by YAGP Alumna and Board member Hee Seo, Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre, thorough mask and social distancing guidelines were followed to ensure the health and safety of all participants.

Dancers were filmed performing live onstage, with the YAGP jury panel evaluating them virtually. As a result, several scholarships were offered to the world's leading dance academies.
P A R T I C I P A N T | S P O T L I G H T

1st Place winner Taeryeong Kim (pictured) was awarded a full-year scholarship to The Royal Ballet School at this year's YAGP Korea Semi-Finals and has already begun her studies in the UK.
Enjoy this beautiful compilation of this year's YAGP Korea participants.
The YAGP 2021 Season will consist of socially-distanced live events in the United States and several international locations, along with European, Asian Pacific, South & Central America, and U.S. virtual auditions and semi-finals for the participants who choose not to travel at this time. Each event will be conducted with strict adherence to local health and safety regulations, with master classes and awards ceremonies held virtually this season to avoid unnecessary exposure.

To accommodate students who were not able to audition for professional placement this year, YAGP will expand the Senior Age Division to include dancers up to 20 years of age in the upcoming season. 

With a full schedule of live and virtual events, we look forward to our 22nd season of connecting talented young dancers everywhere to education, performance, and scholarship opportunities worldwide. For more information, visit us online.

International Semi-Finals
 
  • Seoul, KOREA | July 10-13, 2020
  • Osaka, JAPAN | October 22-25, 2020
  • Asia Pacific (Virtual Competition) | December 12-13, 2020
  • NEW - Riccione, ITALY | February 18-21, 2021
  • Paris, FRANCE | February 20-21, 2021
  • NEW - Leiria, PORTUGAL | March 6-7, 2021
  • NEW - Tel Aviv, ISRAEL | March 15-16, 2021
  • Barcelona, SPAIN | March 27-28, 2021
  • NEW - Bucharest, ROMANIA | April 2-4, 2021
  • NEW - Kiev, UKRAINE | TBA
  • NEW - Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS | TBA
  • South & Central America (Virtual Competition) | April 10-11, 2021
  • Europe (Virtual Competition) | April 17-18, 2021
North America Semi-Finals

  • Philadelphia, PA | November 6-8, 2020
  • San Diego, CA | November 13-14, 2020
  • Seattle, WA | January 7-9, 2021
  • Tampa, FL | January 8-10, 2021
  • Calgary, CANADA | January 12-13, 2021
  • Atlanta, GA | January 16-17, 2021
  • Phoenix, AZ | January 16-17, 2021
  • Winston-Salem, NC | January 21-24, 2021
  • Chicago, IL | January 21-24, 2021
  • Austin, TX | January 22-24, 2021
  • Dallas, TX | January 28-31, 2021
  • Los Angeles, CA | January 28-31, 2021
  • San Diego, CA | February 5-6, 2021
  • New York, NY | February 5-7, 2021
  • Salt Lake City, UT | February 6-7, 2021
  • Boston, MA | February 12-14, 2021
  • Houston, TX | February 19-21, 2021
  • Philadelphia, PA | February 19-21, 2021
  • San Diego, CA | February 25-28, 2021
  • Kansas City, MO | February 25-28, 2021
  • Denver, CO | February 26-28, 2021
  • San Francisco, CA | March 5-7, 2021
  • Indianapolis, IN | March 11-14, 2021
  • Toronto, CANADA | March 12-14, 2021
  • Pittsburgh, PA | TBD
  • Las Vegas, NV | TBD
  • United States (Virtual Competition) | TBD
Sponsored Content - Dance Media

Dance has the power to inspire, uplift and transform – but when it comes to young minds, its power to elevate goes far beyond the stage. 

Sharing the stage at YAGP with fellow dancers from around the globe creates an environment where diversity and inclusion are not just aspirational goals, but a shared reality – helping students become not only better artists, but better global citizens. 

HELP ENSURE THE FUTURE OF DANCE!
Photography Credits: Staff TES, VAM Productions