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 […]

Not only has Larissa Saveliev made competition “acceptable” for ballet students, but her blockbuster Youth America Grand Prix has given those students a chance to measure themselves against peers from across the world—and be seen by directors. More than 450 YAGP alums are currently dancing in professional companies around the world. Read the rest of […]

Throw together a night of performances by international dancers, sprinkle in some teenage competition winners’ solos, and call it something cute: That would seem to be the recipe for Youth America Grand Prix’s “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow” gala, happening this Thursday and Friday at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Except, the name of this annual program is eerily prescient. When […]

Five years ago, a little dance documentary took the ballet world by storm. First Position, former dancer Bess Kargman’s film that followed several top dancers competing at Youth America Grand Prix, took a slew of awards at film festivals. Not only did it give viewers an unprecedented look at the pressure-filled world of ballet competitions, […]

How has the rising popularity of competitions affected the concert dance world? Backstage at Youth America Grand Prix finals. Photo by Kyle Froman. Showstopper hosts more than 50 events each year. Photo courtesy Showstopper. A disembodied voice calls out a number, name, age and title of the dance. Out of the wings comes an expert […]