It's YAGP Time

Today marks the kickoff of the 2015 Youth American Grand Prix season, with competitions beginning in Tampa, Florida and Seattle, Washington. Started by former Bolshoi dancer Larissa Saveliev (and Dance Magazine Award winner!), and her husband, Gennadi, YAGP is in its 16th season. Upon moving to the United States in 1995, they felt there was a shortage of collaborative opportunities for teachers and students to share training information and methods. Three years later they created YAGP, now the largest student ballet competition in the world. Over the last 15 years, the competition has awarded over $3,000,000 in scholarships to students with exceptional talent and promise. Many alumni have gone on to great professional success (including a few of our cover stars, like Catherine Hurlin, Sara Mearns, Hee Seo, Sarah Van Patten and more!). Preliminary rounds will take place around the world from now until early March, culminating in the New York Finals in April.