KANSAS CITY BALLET SCHOOL PARTICIPATES IN 2019 YAGP NY FINALS
Kansas City Ballet School participates in 2019 YAGP NY Finals for the third year in a row. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). Kansas City Ballet School has been competing for the last four years.
KCB STUDENTS WHO ATTENDED THE YAGP FINALS IN NY
Soloists
Juniors Division (Classical and Contemporary): Kathryn Benson
Seniors Division (Classical and Contemporary): Hannah Zucht
Pas de Deux Division: Hannah Zucht and Timothy TV Cao
Ensemble Division: Claire Duritza, Madeline Duritza, Colleen McKenzie, and Hope Wampler
The group performed Fractals choreographed by Kansas City Ballet Master Parrish Maynard.
WHAT IS YAGP?
At its essence, YAGP is the world’s largest dance scholarship audition and a global network for dance. It fulfills its mission through scholarship auditions, master classes, alumni services, educational and outreach activities, performances and films. Worldwide, more than 100,000 students have participated in YAGP’s workshops, scholarship auditions and master classes. Through regional semifinals results, students are selected to participate in the New York Finals each spring.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
YAGP is an opportunity for the biggest dance and ballet schools in the world to see the talent that is out there. Often scholarships and other styles of ballet and forms of training are offered to students which can be nice validation for all of their hard work. In some ways, these judges watch these kids grow up year after year.
“Being part of this competition is great for students,” KCBS Principal and YAGP Coordinator Racheal Nye says. “It shows them what is possible with dedication and determination, but it also offers them a chance to cross state and country borders, as well as continental divides, to see what similarities and interests connect them to this global ballet community.”
This year’s seminars for students and coaches included:
- How to be Noticed by Artistic Directors
- Dancer Wellness
- Career Guidance
- How to Use Time in Class to Your Advantage
- Dance in Higher Education
BENEFITS FOR KCBS
Nye says: “I’m always really proud about how we present ourselves overall as a school. The things I learn I get to bring back to our school to improve and grow for the betterment of all. My kids know when I come back from NY I’m excited and ready to implement here, so everyone benefits. When ‘spring-itis’ rears its head, it is the perfect time for an infusion of enthusiasm. I’m already turning my attention to next year.”
FINAL THOUGHTS FOR 2019 YAGP
“Every year that we participate in YAGP, I am more and more impressed by our students. It is wonderful to see the fruition of their hard word and dedication as they perform for peers, family and friends, and judges,” says School Director Grace Holmes. “The growth of our dancers is exponential when given the opportunity to work towards a performance goal. And the one-on-one work with coaches gives the students insight into how they can be their best dancer and artist. I am SO proud of their work and accomplishments!”
