Last October, American Ballet Theatre’s Xuelan Lu stepped out of the corps for the first time, to perform a leading role in Twyla Tharp’s Deuce Coupe. As one of two dancers who open the ballet, she provided a kind of throughline from beginning to end. It’s not a role that requires flash, but it takes […]
Choosing music for your first-ever choreography commission can feel daunting enough. But when you’re asked to create a ballet using the vast discography of the Rolling Stones—and you happen to be dating Stones frontman Mick Jagger—the stakes are even higher. So it’s understandable that as of Monday, American Ballet Theatre corps de ballet dancer Melanie […]
Since its inception in 1999, Youth America Grand Prix has grown to have an outsize impact on the ballet world, with more than 450 alumni now dancing with 80 companies across the globe. In the last two decades, the student competition has: facilitated more than $4 million in scholarships. hosted auditions in 15 countries. welcomed […]
Youth America Grand Prix, the world’s largest student ballet competition, is coming up on the end of its 20th-anniversary season. As aspiring pre-professionals gear up for this year’s New York Finals, we’re taking a look at a handful of YAGP participants who are already generating major buzz. Gabriel Figueredo Age: 18 School: John Cranko School […]
ABT corps dancer Melanie Hamrick will be taking a leave of absence from the company’s spring season, but for the best reason possible: She’s working on her own ballet. Her piece is set to premiere in March, and will feature music curated by Hamrick’s longtime boyfriend, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger (cue the moves like […]
In 2018, the Youth America Grand Prix added a rule: For participants under age 12, performing on pointe became strongly discouraged. For those under 11, it became prohibited. The competition organizers made these changes after jury members, teachers and others raised concerns about students being pushed to perform on pointe too early. Larissa Saveliev, YAGP […]
Since its founding in 1999, more than 80,000 ballet dancers have participated in Youth America Grand Prix events. While more than 450 alumni are currently dancing in companies across the world, the vast majority—tens of thousands—never turn that professional corner. And these are just the statistics from one competition. “You may have the best teacher […]
By itself, a competition trophy won’t really prepare you for professional life. Sometimes it is not even a plus. “Some directors are afraid that a kid who wins a lot of medals will come to their company with too many expectations,” says Youth America Grand Prix artistic director Larissa Saveliev. “Directors want to mold young […]