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| YAGP | |
|---|---|
| Name | Youth America Grand Prix |
| Formation | 1999 |
| Founder | Igor Yebra; actually co-founded by Larissa Saveliev |
| Headquarters | New York City |
| Website | Official website |
YAGP is an international ballet competition and non-profit organization that organizes regional semi-finals and a global final, awarding scholarships and career opportunities to classical dancers. Founded to connect pre-professional dancers with major conservatories and companies, it operates through partnerships with institutions across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The organization has influenced training pathways for dancers who later appear with leading companies and in major productions.
YAGP was established in 1999 by Larissa Saveliev and others to create an international platform for pre-professional dancers, expanding from regional auditions to an annual final in New York City. Early seasons brought participants who later joined companies such as American Ballet Theatre, The Royal Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, English National Ballet, La Scala Theatre Ballet, and Australian Ballet. Over time YAGP expanded its reach with regional rounds in cities linked to institutions including Juilliard School, School of American Ballet, Royal Ballet School, Paris Conservatoire, Vaganova Academy, Perm State Choreographic College, Canada’s National Ballet School, Harid Conservatory, Kirov Academy of Ballet, Russian Imperial Ballet Academy, and Universal Ballet Academy.
The organization runs international semi-finals and a finals week held in New York City where finalists perform at venues such as Lincoln Center and audition for apprenticeship and scholarship panels. Each regional event is juried by artistic directors and répétiteurs from companies including Mikhailovsky Theatre, Het Nationale Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Polish National Ballet, Czech National Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, Norwegian National Ballet, and Royal Danish Ballet. Partnerships have been formed with conservatories like Boston Conservatory, Colburn School, Curtis Institute of Music (dance collaborations), Ailey School, Boston Ballet School, Elmhurst Ballet School, Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln, State Ballet School Berlin, and institutions tied to festivals such as Jacob’s Pillow and Vail Dance Festival.
Divisions accommodate age groups and repertoire: categories parallel classical variations, contemporary solos, pas de deux, and ensembles, with awards recognizing male and female seniors and junior divisions. Entrants perform works drawn from the repertoires of choreographers and ballets such as Marius Petipa classics, George Balanchine ballets, Frederick Ashton repertory, Sir Kenneth MacMillan pieces, Jerome Robbins numbers, Maurice Béjart creations, and contemporary works by William Forsythe, Alvin Ailey, Christopher Wheeldon, Wayne McGregor, Jiří Kylián, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Twyla Tharp, Liam Scarlett, John Neumeier, David Dawson, Angelin Preljocaj, and Akram Khan-influenced pieces. Prizes have been named for or sponsored by organizations and awards such as Princess Grace Awards, Benois de la Danse, Dance Magazine Awards, COSTA Ballet Prize, and institutional scholarships from schools like Royal Ballet School and Paris Opera Ballet School.
Alumni and winners have gone on to prominent positions with companies and productions, including principals and soloists at American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Het Nationale Ballet, English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, La Scala Theatre Ballet, Berlin State Ballet, Staatsballett Berlin, Australian Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Kirov Ballet, Mikhailovsky Theatre, National Ballet of China, and Dutch National Ballet. Individual alumni have appeared in galas and competitions associated with Varna International Ballet Competition, Prix de Lausanne, Tokyo Ballet Competition, Jackson International Ballet Competition, and awards circuits including Dancing Times Awards. Alumni have also collaborated with choreographers like George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, Angelin Preljocaj, William Forsythe, John Neumeier, and staged works at venues such as Metropolitan Opera House, Sadler’s Wells, Opéra Bastille, Teatro alla Scala, Bolshoi Theatre, Royal Opera House, and Sydney Opera House.
Juries typically comprise artistic directors, choreographers, répétiteurs, and former principals from companies and schools like American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Royal Ballet School, Paris Opera Ballet, Bolshoi Theatre, Mariinsky Theatre, Stuttgart Ballet, Het Nationale Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, National Ballet of Cuba, National Ballet of Canada, Bayerisches Staatsballett, and Hamburg Ballet. Scoring balances technical criteria, artistic interpretation, and potential for professional development, with adjudication panels sometimes including representatives from funding bodies and foundations such as Ford Foundation, Guggenheim Foundation, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and philanthropic patrons tied to performing arts centers like Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.
The organization provides scholarships to schools including Juilliard School, School of American Ballet, Royal Ballet School, Paris Opera Ballet School, Vaganova Academy, Boston Conservatory, Harkness Center for Dance, National Ballet School of Canada, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater School, Kirov Academy, and community outreach with festivals like Jacob’s Pillow, Vail International Dance Festival, Spoleto Festival USA, and collaborations with cultural institutions including UNESCO initiatives and municipal arts councils in cities like New York City, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Moscow, Beijing, Sydney, Toronto, and Madrid.
Coverage has appeared in outlets and programs including The New York Times, The Guardian, Le Monde, Der Spiegel, La Repubblica, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Telegraph, BBC, PBS, NPR, CNN, Dance Magazine, Ballet Magazine, Vogue, TIME, and arts segments on ABC and CBS. Cultural impact is noted through participants’ appearances in films and television projects tied to productions at Metropolitan Opera, collaborations with choreographers who work with Royal Ballet, New York City Ballet, and contributions to tours organized by agencies such as OPERA America and promoters like Nederlander Organization and AEG Presents.
Category:Ballet competitions