ballet competitions

future ballet superstars, recently announced their list of 81 finalists. One of the finalists and the only African American selected to participate at the Prix de Lausanne, Sydney Upchurchage (age 15), is a talented young dancer from Cary Ballet.

This variation is ferocious. It isn’t your typical 5 part female principal variation. In fact, this variation is 50 seconds of pure jumping. It is a mix of petit allegro, moderato, and grand allegro all finished with extremely fast pointe work.

It is that time of the year where high-end tutu makers or costume makers are taking deposits for the next competitive season. If you are new to the ballet competitive circuit, brace yourself, because it’s about to get very tricky, sort of expensive, and somewhat intense. Looking at photos on Instagram will show you that when it comes to finals or a major international competition, the cost is the last thing people think of. But, how much is too much for a tutu? What are you paying for? And, is it even necessary?

Early Thursday morning, the sparks were flying with the announcement of the selection of Final Round Competitors for the Junior (ages 12-14) Women. A total of 35 exceptionally talented young dancers from the US, Canada and Mexico were selected to compete in the first act of YAGP’s Junior Women’s Gala at The Straz later this evening.

And the winners are… “78 out of the 82 initially selected candidates have participated…

It is that time of year again, where the best of the best in the ballet industry gather to celebrate the 2018-2019 season and honor those who made an impact on audiences, critics and the jury.

You might think they are lame or boring, but these six variations are the key to classical ballet. When picking a variation for A Ballet Competition, don’t overlook these classics.

It was the year of Dulcinea, and I died… Thank the Baby Jesus that the ballet competition season is over. If the 2018-2019 season was the year of “Satanella,” then this was the year of “Dulcinea.” While I appreciated that people have listened to the first article published back in 2015 about 5 Variations to Stay Away from, people have searched high and low for the replacements to these five- and they have found them.

Inside the world’s largest ballet competition. This year over 10,000 kids auditioned and competed at the Youth America Grand Prix and tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships were given out to promising young talent across the world. This issue is packed with the enormous talents emerging from the Youth America Grand Prix.

A Ballet Education has committed/pledged to raise $27,000 dollars in scholarship funds for various…

As the YAGP moves on, the list gets smaller and smaller as tonight is…

In less than a week I will be off to the YOUTH AMERICA GRAND…

Whether you are twelve or twenty, this variation is one of the most recognizable…

When American Ballet Theatre Principal, Hee Seo calls, you answer… It is that time…

The Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow: Thursday, April 13, 2017 @…

Thank you to my list of donors who have helped make this trip possible.…

Catching up with social media sensation, entrepreneur, and ballet dancer Robbie Downey. And, if…

YAGP FINAL ROUND // Elisabeth Beyer in Stantinella, photographed by VAM, courtesy of the…

If you missed it…. The finals are finally uploaded. To see the winners click…