The YGP International Summer Workshop at Nervi Festival

Genoa, Italy | July 22-28, 2024

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF DANCE IN A MAGICAL SETTING

The Nervi Ballet Music Festival is one of the oldest and the most prestigious cultural events in Italy, having welcomed some of the most celebrated artists of all time, including Margot Fonteyn, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Rudolf Nureyev, the beloved late Italian prima ballerina, Carla Fracci, and companies like Paris Opera Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Mariinsky Ballet and New York City Ballet.

As YAGP continues its 25th Anniversary Semi-Final Tour, we are thrilled to announce the dates for our 4th annual YGP Nervi Festival Summer Workshop, in partnership with the esteemed Festival.

The YGP International Summer Workshop at Nervi Festival is a unique chance for young dancers to experience the life of a professional dancer in a magical setting, while also adding a meaningful line to one's professional resume: performing in an international ballet gala.

This special one-week program, now in its fourth year, is designed to give participants a taste of life in a professional dancer company. In addition to master classes, dancers will go through the process of casting, staging of new works, and rehearsals - all culminating in two spectacular Gala performances.

Daily classes and rehearsals will take place in the heart of Genoa on the historic stage of the Teatro Carlo Felice, as well as its onsite studios located in the same theater. The two Gala performances will take place on the beautiful, open-air main stage of the Nervi Festival, about a 25-minute drive from the Genoa city center.

At the signature YAGP “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow” Gala, participants will share the stage with international ballet artists from the world’s leading dance companies.

The YAGP “Future of Dance” Gala will allow ballet enthusiasts to see some of the most promising young dance students from around the globe. Both performances will feature all Nervi program participants in the signature YAGP piece d’occasion, the Grand Defilé.

THE LOCATION 

Nervi is a charming Mediterranean coastal town between the historic town of Genoa – the birthplace of Christopher Columbus – and Portofino, in the heart of the Italian Riviera. 

Genoa’s architectural gems, cozy alleyways, excellent seafood cuisine, renovated old port, and beautiful sights (including one of Europe's biggest aquariums) well justify it being selected as the European Capital of Culture in 2004 – and Portofino needs no introduction. 

Whether you stay in Genoa or Portofino, it is a great starting place to explore other charming towns, including Cinque Terre, one of the top attractions in Italy — or Monaco, which sits just two hours away along the famed Côte d’Azur. 

For those who like to shop, boutiques abound throughout the area, and the annual summer sales at the well known Serravalle Designer Outlet will have just begun the same week.

This will surely be an unforgettable Italian experience with plenty of day trip options.

MASTER TEACHERS

The faculty of the YGP International Summer Workshop at Nervi Festival will include directors of the world's leading dance schools and companies as well as international ballet stars and master teachers. Past faculty has included the directors of ABT Studio Company (USA), Alberta Ballet School (CANADA), European School of Ballet (NETHERLANDS), John Cranko School of Stuttgart Ballet (GERMANY), Princess Grace Academy (MONACO), and numerous others.

Tadeusz Matacz, Director of John Cranko School of Stuttgart Ballet (GERMANY)

Sascha Radetsky, Artistic Director of ABT Studio Company (USA)

Jean-Yves Esquerre, Director of European School of Ballet (NETHERLANDS)

In addition to daily classes taught by directors and teachers from YAGP partner schools worldwide, participants also have the rare opportunity to learn repertoire and new works from world-renowned choreographers. Over the past few summers, students have had the chance to rehearse and perform unique works by Ohad Naharin, Mauro Bigonzetti, and Goyo Montero - and this year's program will again offer exciting choreographic opportunities to talented young dancers.

Participants in Mauro Bigonzetti's iconic "Rossini Cards", staged by Vincenzo Capezzuto

YAGP alumna Ava Arbuckle (The Stuttgart Ballet)

THE PROGRAM INCLUDES:

• Daily ballet technique classes
• Contemporary dance and repertoire with the faculty of the world’s leading contemporary dance schools
• Pointe work / men's allegro
• Classical repertoire
• Daily rehearsals for the Grand Defilé
• Daily rehearsals for new works
• Opportunity to be part of special YAGP social media projects
• Performance as part of the “Future of Dance” Gala on July 27, 2024
• Performance as part of the YAGP “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow” Gala on July 28, 2024
• Opportunity to receive private coaching/evaluation from master teachers and directors of the world's leading dance schools
• Opportunity to receive scholarships from YAGP partner schools

YAGP alumni Kyra Coco and Brady Farrar (ABT Studio Company) with 2023 YGP Nervi participants

GALA GUESTS ARTISTS

YAGP Galas around the world are known for their star-studded casts, and this year's YAGP “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow” Gala at Nervi Festival on Sunday, July 28th will be no exception. The performance will feature some of the most exciting artists performing today from the world’s leading dance companies, including American Ballet Theatre, The Royal Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, and other esteemed companies.

Natalia Osipova and Reece Clark (The Royal Ballet)

YAGP alumna Emma Von Enck (New York City Ballet)

Maria Khoreva (Mariinsky Ballet) and YAGP alumnus Vsevolod Maievskyi (English National Ballet)

ACCOMPANYING TEACHERS

YAGP invites teachers of participating dancers to accompany their students for this unique educational opportunity in a picturesque setting for a week of inspiration, networking, and beauty on the Italian Riviera.

All classes taking place on the stage at Teatro Carlo Felice will be open for teachers to observe, and a special event for accompanying teachers will be held during the week.

Parents and teachers will also receive complimentary admission to the "Future of Dance" Gala on Saturday, July 27th and other special events.

ACCOMMODATIONS

There are many hotel options in the historic center of Genoa, ranging from simple accommodations (Best Western) starting at €145/night, to more upscale accommodations at historic hotels (like the Bristol Palace), all within short walking distance of the Teatro Carlo Felice, where dancers will have their daily classes and rehearsals.

- For booking at the Best Western City Plus, please email city.ge@bestwestern.it directly for all pricing options and availability.

- For booking at the Bristol Palace, a 10% discount over best available rates is available by contacting the hotel via email at bookingbristolpalace@duetorrihotels.com, with the subject line "Special YAGP Rate 2024".

HOW TO JOIN THE PROGRAM

Participation in this unique YAGP educational program is primarily by invitation from a YAGP semi-final or this year's YAGP Finals.

Dancers who have placed in the Top 3 at any YAGP event during the 2024 Season are eligible for automatic invitation to the program.

A limited number of dancers will also be accepted through a video audition process, on a first come, first served basis.

APPLICATION PROCESSS

To audition, please email a video link to yagpeurope@yagp.org with “YAGP 2024 Nervi Program – YOUR NAME” in the subject line. The video should include either:

1) a ballet variation filmed on stage or in the studio



OR

2) a separate video from a ballet class (center and jumps, no longer than 5 minutes in length)

VIDEO AUDITION DEADLINE: May 1st, 2024

PROGRAM FEE

For dancers selected for the 7-day program, the flat-rate registration fee will be: €900 *

* Information about payment options will be sent to accepted participants by e-mail.

Photo credits: LK Studio, Jennifer Curry Wingrove, Travis Jennings, Hailey Kolker