Youth America Grand Prix
Alice Tully Hall
Lincoln Center
New York, New York
April 11, 2022
25th Anniversary Kick-Off Gala: Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow
Jerry Hochman
Five years after its creation by co-founders Larissa and Genadi Savaliev, Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) presented its first Lincoln Center gala program at Alice Tully Hall. Since then, YAGP’s, “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow” Gala, as well as certain other gala celebrations and the overall New York Finals (the “final” Final Round) moved to New York City Center, then back to Lincoln Center (to the David H. Koch Theater), including a season at Brooklyn Academy of Music while the Lincoln Center campus was undergoing renovations. During this time, the sight of bevies of little bunheads parading around the environs in and around Lincoln Center generated smiles by passersby as well as curiosity as to why they were all here.
They were here because, over time, YAGP had evolved into the premiere event by which young dancers could see and be seen: to take classes from renowned faculty who they would otherwise never see, and who would never have seen them, outside YAGP parameters; to earn invitations (i.e., scholarships) to a variety of programs offered by prestigious ballet companies and ballet schools world-wide; to be observed and noted, and in some cases monitored in social media through the course of their careers, by critics fortunate enough to have attended the various qualifying events and final round; to meet and at times make lifelong friends with other young dancers they wouldn’t otherwise have met; and, incidentally, to be recognized for their achievement by winning the variety of indicia of accomplishment that the program awards each year.
Then came Covid-19, and like everything else, the dance world, including YAGP, stopped in its tracks. For a time, YAGP qualifying events took place virtually, but during this time period it was decided to move the “final Final” events to Tampa, FL where, presumably, there were sufficient rehearsal / class spaces, costs were considerably less stratospheric, and the weather was more predictable … and predictably warmer. This was an unfortunate loss for New York.
Christine Shevchenko and Jacopo Tissi
in “Le Corsaire Pas de Deux”
Photo by LK Studio and Jennifer Wingrove
But now, on the cusp of its 25th Anniversary year, YAGP returned to the site of its first Gala 20 years ago, Alice Tully Hall, for its “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow” Gala program to kick-off its 25th Anniversary year. [The Gala is now presented in other locations as well, including Tampa, providing local audiences with the opportunities to see world-class dancers and probably to help generate enough funds to keep its now greatly expanded world-wide programming afloat.]
As in the past, this report will summarize the performances offered and highlight only a few of them. I’ll begin with the adults, the “stars of today,” then the young dancers who performed (including many of this year’s YAGP competition medalists, and conclude with a complete listing of those individual and paired young dancers recognized either with awards or high placement.
The “Stars of Today”
The program itself concluded with what to me was one of the evening’s highlights: in their NYC debuts, Evelina Godunova and Shale Wagman (who, together with Tulsa Ballet’s Jan Masuda, had also introduced the “Stars of Today” portion of the evening in Marco Goecke’s Hungarian Dances) in the Flames of Paris Pas de Deux. The piece, choreographed by Vasily Vainonen to a score by Boris Asafiev, is rarely seen here, although excerpts (and perhaps the complete ballet) have made their way to web sites and social media. For those who’ve seen Natalia Osipova in the same role, Godunova’s performance didn’t have the same bravura impact – but to me it was equally good in a very different way. Character rather than pyrotechnics was emphasized, and she came across as a highly engaging dancer. But it was Wagman’s electric display that brought the house down.
Shale Wagman in “Flames of Paris” pas de deux
Photo by LK Studio and Jennifer Wingrove
Earlier, Jacopo Tissi, now a Guest Principal with La Scala Ballet, similarly impressed the audience in two pieces: Le Corsaire Pas de Deux, partnering American Ballet Theatre Principal Christine Shevchenko, and the penultimate dance in the Stars of Today portion of the program, the U.S. premiere of an excerpt from The Ninth Wave, a piece choreographed by Bryan Arias that premiered in its entirety with the Bolshoi Ballet in 2020. Tissi, one of the evening’s few dancers who were not YAGP alumnae (Godunova and Claudia Moto were the others), is a compelling dancer who, then with the Bolshoi, first appeared in New York partnering Alena Kovaleva in George Balanchine’s “Diamonds” (from Jewels) at the Koch Theater during a multi-company celebration of the 50th anniversary of Balanchine’s landmark full-length plotless ballet. Kovaleva’s performance made the top of my “Tops in New York” list for 2017 – and I specifically indicated at the time that had I not been so focused on the mesmerizing Kovaleva, I would be similarly gushing about Tissi’s superb performance. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Tissi left the Bolshoi to return to La Scala (he graduated from the La Scala ballet school). His elegant athleticism appeared here as it had previously, albeit limited by the size of the Alice Tully stage.
Claudia Mota and Constantine Allen
in Anjelin Prejlocaj’s “Le Parc”
Photo by LK Studio and Jennifer Wingrove
Constantine Allen, a Principal with the Dutch National Ballet, also appeared in two pieces: together with Brazilian dancer Claudia Mota (Theatro do Municipal Rio de Janeiro) in Anjelin Prejlocaj’s Le Parc (to Mozart), and later in the evening in Hans van Manen’s 5 Tangos (to music by Astor Piazolla). It’s difficult to make Le Parc look anything other than the extraordinarily sensual piece it is, and this performance was no exception. However, Mota, whom I’d not previously seen, lent an aura of innocence (as well as awakened lust) to the role that I don’t recall noticing before. Allen’s partnering here was exemplary, as was his execution of the van Manen solo.
The performances by New York City Ballet Principals Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia in Balanchine’s Tarantella was more than exemplary. The dance is always a crowd-pleaser, and one that encourages its dancers to add their individual expression to the joie de vivre that permeates the pas de deux. With respect to contemporary interpretations, Mejia’s execution was different from, but in its own way as exciting as, Daniel Ulbricht’s celebrated execution of the same role. And in an all too brief appearance, ABT soloist Chloe Misseldine flawlessly danced an excerpt from August Bournonville’s William Tell.
Chloe Misseldine
in an excerpt from August Bournonville’s “William Tell”
Photo by LK Studio and Jennifer Wingrove
I must admit that I found Reflective Response #1, presented here in its world premiere performance, difficult to follow. Choreographed by My’Kai Stromile, a member of Boston Ballet, to a song, “Green,” by 15-year-old prodigy Paloma Dineli Chesky, which she performed live accompanied by her father David Chesky (a Grammy-nominated pianist), the brief piece was well-executed by Michaela Mabinty DePrince (now also with Boston Ballet), and it certainly included reflective movements, but I didn’t get what the solo was about – if it was about anything. The song’s title implies some environmental issue (one of many social consciousness issues that D. Chesky has addressed in prior pieces he’s created). But I didn’t see that in the movement, and, probably because of my position in the theater, I couldn’t make out the song’s words. Nevertheless, as an abstract dance, Reflective Response #1 did succeed as an unusual piece that further exhibits dePrince’s talent. Perhaps it will look better upon a second view, with better acoustics and moving dePrince farther downstage. [An aside: One of D. Chesky’s pieces is an intriguing-sounding multi-part children’s utopian fantasy composition titled “The Zephyrtine Ballet,” which sounds like it might make an equally intriguing children’s ballet (a visual one) that could appeal to adults as well.]
Michaela Mabinty dePrince (right) and Paloma Dineli Chesky
in My’Kai Stromile’s “Reflective Response #1”
Photo by LK Studio and Jennifer Wingrove
Rounding out the “Stars of Today” programs was a piece that, as performed, seemed a combination of both prongs of the program.
Decadance is a dance created by Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin in 2000, which at the time was an agglomeration of takes from “old” Naharin dances mixed with new ones. Over the years there have been numerous iterations of Decadance, one of which, Decadance / Chicago, was presented several years ago at the Joyce Theater by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. In this incarnation (which might be titled “Decadance / YAGP”) young dancers with YAGP’s International Contemporary Ensemble (“ICE”), were trained in Israel in three dances, one of which was Decadance. The group of young dancers who were selected to participate ranged in age from 12 to 17, and came from six different nations.
YAGP’s ICE Ensemble and Audience
in Ohad Naharin’s “Decadance”
Photo by LK Studio and Jennifer Wingrove
The ICE dancers’ presentation was very well executed, and even more engaging than usual because of their youth. One of the components of Decadance is a segment in which the dancers on stage select audience-members to join them onstage. It’s always good-natured great fun, as it was here, particularly with a gala audience stocked with former (or would-be) dancers primed for a fun evening.
The “Stars of Tomorrow”
The youthful participants presented in the opening “Stars of Today” portion of the program proved an engaging group as well. Although the medal winners at this year’s YAGP Finals were not determined until a few days before this Gala, the participating young dancers included many of them, including the year’s ultimate winner of the Grand Prix (which is not always awarded in any given year).
Reviewing these young dancers’ performances would be inappropriate. Suffice it to say that each displayed the level of talent, and of future promise, that one would expect.
Anne Takahashi in a variation from “Harlequin”
Photo by LK Studio and Jennifer Wingrove
The evening opened with pint-sized Anne Takahashi, age 10, from Japan, dancing a variation from Harlequinade with the aplomb of a far more seasoned dancer. [She was awarded 2nd place in Classical Dance Category in YAGP’s Pre-Competitive Division.] She was followed by 12-year old Kya Massimino (U.S.) dancing Für Elise (choreographed by YAGP alumnus and ABT Studio Company member Brady Farrar).
“Two Corals,” a synchronized duet from Little Humpbacked Horse, followed, danced by 15-year old twin sisters Mackenzie and Skylar Chu-Robin (U.S.). This was succeeded by another duet, Memoir (choreographed by Catherine Livengood Lewellen), in a very impressive performance by 11-year old Morgan Ligon, this year’s Hope Award winner (the top award in the Pre-Competitive category), and Keenan Mentzos, 13, one of the top 12 finalists in the Junior category (both U.S.). [Together they earned second place in the Ensemble / Pas de Deux/ Contemporary Dance category.]
Morgan Ligon and Keenan Mentzos
in Catherine Livengood Lewellen’s “Memoir”
Photo by LK Studio and Jennifer Wingrove
Eighteen year old Brasilian Ana Luisa Arantes Negrao, who was awarded first place in this year’s Senior Women’s Division Finals, followed with a smooth as silk performance of Grand Pas Classique, and thereafter, super-turner Alexei Orohovsky (Germany), 15, danced an excerpt from Paquita. In between, the aforementioned ICE ensemble performed an excerpt from Sharon Eyal and Gai Nejar’s OCD Love.
Tiny Crystal Huang (U.S.) 14, who earned a third place tie in this year’s Classical Dance category / Junior Women’s Division, followed with a very flamboyant rendition of a piece titled Gamzatti, choreographed by Maria Konrad. Jade Connor, 18, and Nikita Malaki, 16, both U.S. and each placing in the top 12 in their respective Senior Womens and Junior Mens Divisions, then danced Gounod Duet, choreographed by Peter Stark. [Together they earned third place in the Ensemble / Pas de Deux/ Contemporary Dance category.]
The Stars of Today section concluded with a performance of a Cupid Variation from Don Quixote by 15-year old Taylor O’Meara (U.S.). [With her partner, she was awarded first place in the Ensemble / Pas de Deux/ Contemporary Dance category.] This was preceded by an explosive performance of Vortex, choreographed by Jorge Garcia Perez, danced by this year’s winner of Senior Division Grand Prix, YAGP’s highest award, 16 year-old Fabrizzio Ulloa Cornejo (Mexico and Switzerland).
A list of this year’s Finals award-winners can be found below.
As noted at the outset, this Gala was the initial event in a year-long celebration of YAGP’s Twenty-Fifth Anniversary. The celebration will conclude with another Gala program, this time at Lincoln Center’s Koch Theater, in April, 2024.
YAGP 2023 Tampa Final Finals Award Winners:
Fabrizzio Ulloa Cornejo in Jorge Garcia Perez’s “Vortex”
Photo by LK Studio and Jennifer Wingrove
SENIOR AGE DIVISION
GRAND PRIX Fabrizzio Ulloa Cornejo (16) Ballet Theater Basel, Switzerland
WINNERS WOMEN
1ST PLACE Ana Luisa Arantes Negrão (18) Balé do Teatro Escola Basileu França, Brasil
2ND PLACE Soo Min Kim (18) Korea National University of Arts, South Korea
2ND PLACE Julie Joyner (17) International City School of Ballet, GA, USA
3RD PLACE Olimpia Georgia Carauleanu (15) JOY2DANCE, Romania
Ana Luisa Arantes Negrão at YAGP Tampa Finals
Photo by LK Studio and Jennifer Wingrove
TOP 12 WOMEN
Madison Bevilacqua (15) Timothy M Draper Center for Dance Education, NY, USA
Sophia Koo (15) Southland Ballet Academy, CA, USA
Sana Matsukawa (15) Symphony Ballet Studio, Japan
Olimpia Georgia Carauleanu (15) JOY2DANCE, Romania
Lucia Abril Marcucci (16) Balé do Teatro Escola Basileu França, Brasil
Kailin Kratz (16) City Ballet – San Francisco, CA, USA
Ashley Burks (16) BTB, Switzerland
Julie Joyner (17) International City School of Ballet, GA, USA
Yeeun Lee (17) Korea National University of Arts, South Korea
Ana Luisa Arantes Negrão (18) Balé do Teatro Escola Basileu França, Brasil
Soo Min Kim (18) Korea National University of Arts, South Korea
Jade Conner (18) The Rock School for Dance, PA, USA
WINNERS MEN
1ST PLACE Daniel Alejandro Guzman (19) Fort Lauderdale Youth Ballet, FL, USA
2ND PLACE Julio Santos (17) Escola do Teatro Bolshoi do Brasil, Brasil
3RD PLACE Minchul Jeon (18) Korea National University of Arts, South Korea
TOP 12 MEN
Leonidas Adarmes (15) Master Ballet Academy, AZ, USA
William Gyves (15) UNCSA, NC, USA
Corbin Holloway (15) CityDance Conservatory, MD, USA
Fabrizzio Ulloa Cornejo (16) BTB, Switzerland
Killian Rudd (16) International Ballet Academy, NC, USA
Jacob Duehring (16) UNCSA, NC, USA
Ryoma Hudzeleu (16) Belarusian State Choreographic Gymnasium-College; Ballet School Vezhnovets; M&R Studio, Belarus & Japan
Julio Santos (17) Escola do Teatro Bolshoi do Brasil, Brasil
Frederick Stuckwisch (18) Southold Dance Theater, IN, USA
Seungmin Lee (18) Korea National University of Arts, South Korea
Minchul Jeon (18) Korea National University of Arts, South Korea
Daniel Alejandro Guzman (19) Fort Lauderdale Youth Ballet, FL, USA
JUNIOR AGE DIVISION
YOUTH GRAND PRIX NOT AWARDED
Chae Eun Lee at YAGP Tampa Finals
Photo by LK Studio and Jennifer Wingrove
WINNERS WOMEN
1ST PLACE Chae Eun Lee (14) Yewon School, South Korea
2ND PLACE Yuzuki Okubo (13) Ballerina School, Japan
2ND PLACE Krysante Shiren Bianinova (14) Marlupi Dance Academy, Indonesia
3RD PLACE Crystal Huang (14) Nevada School of Dance and The Rock Center for Dance, NV, USA
3RD PLACE Tamara Arandia (13) Fomento Artistico Cordobes, México
TOP 12 WOMEN
Mikaela Cameron (12) A&A Ballet, KS, USA
Yuzuki Okubo (13) Ballerina School, Japan
Minori De Silva (13) MorningStar Dance Academy, GA, USA
Ana Lorenza Blanco Peniche (13) Chasse Ballet, México
Tamara Arandia (13) Fomento Artistico Cordobes, México
Hina Sakae (13) Hikichi Ballet Studio, Japan
Grace Woodbury (14) International Ballet Academy, NC, USA
Crystal Huang (14) Nevada School of Dance and The Rock Center for Dance, NV, USA
Clara Riggs (14) Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy, CA, USA
Krysante Shiren Bianinova (14) Marlupi Dance Academy, Indonesia
Samantha Striplin (14) Peninsula School of Performing Arts, CA, USA
Chae Eun Lee (14) Yewon School, South Korea
WINNERS MEN
João Pedro dos Santos Silva at YAGP Tampa Finals
João Pedro dos Santos Silva
1ST PLACE João Pedro dos Santos Silva (14) Balé do Teatro Escola Basileu França, Brasil
2ND PLACE Eric Poor (13) CityDance Conservatory, MD, USA
3RD PLACE Rhett Davies (14) Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching, Australia
TOP 12 MEN
Carlos Rubén Dominguez Auerbach (12) Centro de Formación y Promoción de Danza Clásica Isaac y Esteban Hernández A.C., México
Mordhechai Ozora Christoffelo (12) Marlupi Dance Academy, Indonesia
Eric Poor (13) CityDance Conservatory, MD, USA
Yahel zaid Hernandez(13) ProVer, México
Marcus Vinicius Rufino (13) Balé do Teatro Escola Basileu França, Brasil
Keenan Mentzos (13) Elite Classical Coaching, TX, USA
João Pedro dos Santos Silva (14) Balé do Teatro Escola Basileu França, Brasil
Soma Kato (14) Panda Ballet School (Mori Takako Ballet School), Japan
Maddux Ellison (14) Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy, CA, USA
Evan Hull (14) Westside School of Ballet, CA, USA
Maito Shimizu (14) Airi Ballet Studio, Japan
Rhett Davies (14) Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching, Australia
PRE-COMPETITIVE AGE DIVISION
HOPE AWARD Morgan Ligon (11) Elite Classical Coaching, TX, USA
Tiffany Emmanuela Tanugraha at YAGP Tampa Finals
Photo by LK Studio and Jennifer Wingrove
CLASSICAL DANCE CATEGORY WOMEN
1ST PLACE Tiffany Emmanuela Tanugraha (10) Marlupi Dance Academy, Indonesia
2ND PLACE Anne Takahashi (10) Flora Ballet, Japan
3RD PLACE Victoria Carrillo (10) Master Ballet Academy, AZ, USA
TOP 12 WOMEN
Hina Suzuki (9) YARITA YU BALLET STUDIO, Japan
Julianna Eva Pollak (10) Hungarian National Ballet Institute, Hungary
Milana Dzeniakina (10) Vezhnovets Ballet School, Belarus
Mao Ehira (10) Panda Ballet School (Mori Takako Ballet School), Japan
Victoria Carrillo (10) Master Ballet Academy, AZ, USA
Anne Takahashi (10) Flora Ballet, Japan
Kako Nakata (10) K-Grace Ballet, Japan
Tiffany Emmanuela Tanugraha (10) Marlupi Dance Academy, Indonesia
Akane Nakada (11) Allee Ballet Studio, Japan
Rebeca Maria Zamfir (11) Soleil Ballet School, Romania
Morgan Ligon (11) Elite Classical Coaching, TX, USA
Minji Gu (11) Gimpo Ewha Ballet Academy, South Korea
TOP 24 WOMEN
Candice Yeo Zhi Jing (9) Yan Ballet Academy, Singapore
Hina Suzuki (9) YARITA YU BALLET STUDIO, Japan
Munteanu Ioana Anastasia (10) Prime Agency, Romania
Yukiha Mizuishi (10) HAGA Ballet Academy, Japan
Julianna Eva Pollak (10) Hungarian National Ballet Institute, Hungary
Milana Dzeniakina (10) Vezhnovets Ballet School, Belarus
Lydia Bachman (10) Independent, TX, USA
Mao Ehira (10) Panda Ballet School (Mori Takako Ballet School), Japan
Victoria Carrillo (10) Master Ballet Academy, AZ, USA
Anne Takahashi (10) Flora Ballet, Japan
Kako Nakata (10) K-Grace Ballet, Japan
Tiffany Emmanuela Tanugraha (10) Marlupi Dance Academy, Indonesia
Kanon Clark (11) Deparc Ballet School, Japan
Akane Nakada (11) Allee Ballet Studio, Japan
Silvia Rives Rives (11) Alba Martínez Ballet Academy, Spain
Katarina Carney (11) Southland Ballet Academy, CA, USA
Quinlin Maconachy (11) The Dallas Conservatory, TX, USA
Jenna Migliorelli (11) N&D Ballet, MA, USA
Lola Sacks (11) Independent, FL, USA
Rebeca Maria Zamfir (11) Soleil Ballet School, Romania
Minami Gonda (11) Ballet Studio Concerto, Japan
Morgan Ligon (11) Elite Classical Coaching, TX, USA
Minji Gu (11) Gimpo Ewha Ballet Academy, South Korea
CLASSICAL DANCE CATEGORY MEN
1ST PLACE Shinji Mitoma (11) Watanabe Buber Ballet Academy, Japan
2ND PLACE Leon Yusei Sai (11) Southland Ballet Academy, CA, USA
3RD PLACE Charley Toscano (11) Independent, TX, USA
TOP 6 MEN
Ryoma Asada (10) Symphony Ballet Studio, Japan
George Alex Kremnev (11) A&A BALLET, IL, USA
Shinji Mitoma (11) Watanabe Buber Ballet Academy, Japan
Dylan Custodio (11) Fort Lauderdale Youth Ballet, FL, USA
Charley Toscano (11) Independent, TX, USA
Leon Yusei Sai (11) Southland Ballet Academy, CA, USA
CONTEMPORARY DANCE CATEGORY WOMEN
1ST PLACE Rebeca Maria Zamfir (11) Independent-Arts, Romania
2ND PLACE Lior Wieder (10) Muza Dance Academy, Israel
3RD PLACE Kako Nakata (10) K-Grace Ballet, Japan
TOP 12 WOMEN
Ellary Day Szyndlar (10) Master Ballet Academy, AZ, USA
Victoria Carrillo (10) Master Ballet Academy, AZ, USA
Anne Takahashi (10) Flora Ballet, Japan
Radja Galdo (10) Lapidari, Brazil
Kako Nakata (10) K-Grace Ballet, Japan
Lior Wieder (10) Muza Dance Academy, Israel
Hannah Lemieux (11) OAEC, TX, USA
Aria Du (11) Yoko’s Dance & Performing Arts Academy, CA, USA
Rebeca Maria Zamfir (11) Independent-Arts, Romania
Emilia Dubiel (11) Independent, Poland
Morgan Ligon (11) Elite Classical Coaching, TX, USA
Maura Moggi (11) Professione Danza Pescara, Italy
TOP 24 WOMEN
Candice Yeo Zhi Jing (9) Yan Ballet Academy, Singapore
Ashley Demi Otano (10) The Art of Classical Ballet, FL, USA
Milana Dzeniakina (10) Vezhnovets Ballet School, Belarus
Ellaina Josephine Yudiantyo (10) Marlupi Dance Academy, Indonesia
Ellary Day Szyndlar (10) Master Ballet Academy, AZ, USA
Victoria Carrillo (10) Master Ballet Academy, AZ, USA
Anne Takahashi (10) Flora Ballet, Japan
Radja Galdo (10) Lapidari, Brazil
Kako Nakata (10) K-Grace Ballet, Japan
Tiffany Emmanuela Tanugraha (10) Marlupi Dance Academy, Indonesia
Lior Wieder (10) Muza Dance Academy, Israel
Rylie Borden (10) Dance Unlimited, FL, USA
Hannah Lemieux (11) OAEC, TX, USA
Catarina Bykadorova (11) CAB-Classical Academy of Ballet, Portugal
Aria Du (11) Yoko’s Dance & Performing Arts Academy, CA, USA
Tiffany Jocelyn Ong (11) Hope Academy Of Dance, Philippines
Skylar Wong (11) Woodbury Dance Center, MN, USA
Rima Masuda (11) BALLET・LE・COEUR, Japan
Rudie Bolton (11) Dancemakers of Atlanta, GA, USA
Lola Sacks (11) Independent, FL, USA
Rebeca Maria Zamfir (11) Independent-Arts, Romania
Emilia Dubiel (11) Independent, Poland
Morgan Ligon (11) Elite Classical Coaching, TX, USA
Maura Moggi (11) Professione Danza Pescara, Italy
CONTEMPORARY DANCE CATEGORY MEN
1ST PLACE Neo Del Corral (11) Stars Dance Studio/Stars Ballet Academy, FL, USA
2ND PLACE Leon Yusei Sai (11) Southland Ballet Academy, CA, USA
3RD PLACE Owen Simmons (10) The School of Cadence Ballet, Canada
TOP 6 MEN
Spencer Collins (9) Westside School of Ballet, CA, USA
Owen Simmons (10) The School of Cadence Ballet, Canada
Shun Saito (11) Aristo BALLET STUDIO, Japan
Neo Del Corral (11) Stars Dance Studio/Stars Ballet Academy, FL, USA
Charley Toscano (11) Independent, TX, USA
Leon Yusei Sai (11) Southland Ballet Academy, CA, USA
ENSEMBLES CLASSICAL PAS DE DEUX WINNERS
1ST PLACE Soo Min Kim (18), Minchul Jeon (18) Korea National University of Arts, South Korea: Grand Pas Classique
2ND PLACE Grace Woodbury (14), Bryson Woody (14) International Ballet Academy, NC, USA: Harlequinade
3RD PLACE Leon Yusei Sai (11), Afina Gosla (12) Southland Ballet Academy, CA, USA William Tell
TOP 12
Brendan Mccanta (9), Charlotte Case (9) South Coast Conservatory, CA, USA: La Fille Mal Gardee
Leon Yusei Sai (11), Afina Gosla (12) Southland Ballet Academy, CA, USA: William Tell
Grace Woodbury (14), Bryson Woody (14) International Ballet Academy, NC, USA: Harlequinade
Adeline Dunlap (13), Max Berg (15) Elite Classical Coaching, TX, USA: Coppelia
Macie Miersch (13), Jason Shuman (17) The Sarasota Ballet’s Margaret Barbieri Conservatory, FL, USA. : Coppelia
Leonidas Adarmes (15), Chloe Hennessy (15) Master Ballet Academy, AZ, USA: La Fille Mal Gardee
Lillian Rossmann (14), Ben Dunlap (18) Master Ballet Academy, AZ, USA: Satanella
Lola Lybarger (15), Killian Rudd (16) International Ballet Academy, NC, USA: Paquita
Isabella Howard (15), Pavel Kulev (17) Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy, CA, USA: Le Corsaire
Sojeong Park (16), DongHui Kim (16) Pose Ballet Academy, Yoo’s Ballet Conservatory, South Korea: La Sylphide
Axel Rickard (18), Sarah Claire Martin (18) Colorado Ballet Academy, CO, USA: The Sleeping Beauty Act III
Soo Min Kim (18), Minchul Jeon (18) Korea National University of Arts, South Korea: Grand Pas Classique
CONTEMPORARY PAS DE DEUX
1ST PLACE Taylor O’Meara (15), Cruz Vining (18) Master Ballet Academy, AZ, USA Stone Wings
2ND PLACE Morgan Ligon (11), Keenan Mentzos (13) Elite Classical Coaching, TX, USA: Memoir
3RD PLACE Jade Conner (18), Nikita Malaki (16) The Rock School for Dance, PA, USA: Gounod Duet
TOP 6
Milania Leone (11), Bryce Young (13) All American Classical Ballet School, FL, USA: Transcendence
Morgan Ligon (11), Keenan Mentzos (13) Elite Classical Coaching, TX, USA: Memoir
Felipe Meijueiro Gozález (14), Ainhoa Souto Tilves (16) Ballet de Galicia, Spain: Ágape
Taylor O’Meara (15), Cruz Vining (18) Master Ballet Academy, AZ, USA: Stone Wings
Jade Conner (18), Nikita Malaki (16) The Rock School for Dance, PA, USA: Gounod Duet
Akari Kato (19), Alexander Marmolejos (22) Joffrey Ballet School, NY, USA Reflections On The Pond
SPECIAL AWARDS
SHELLEY KING AWARD
Ana Lorenza Blanco Peniche (13) Chasse Ballet, México
MAKAROVA AWARD
Sophia Koo (15) Southland Ballet Academy, CA, USA
OUTSTANDING SCHOOL AWARD
Korea National University of Arts, South Korea
For the listing of winners in Small Ensembles and Large Ensembles, see the YAGP website at: https://yagp.org/yagp-2023-tampa-fl-finals-winners/
