by Barry Kerollis | Apr 22, 2025 | Pointe+, Training
With spring comes the final rounds of youth ballet competitions, including Youth America Grand Prix, ADC | IBC, and the Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition. While we hope every dancer has the smoothest moment in the spotlight, the potential...
by Zoe G. Phillips | Apr 15, 2025 | Pointe+, Training
Ballet often acts as a universal language, and many are drawn to dancing for its ability to transcend the need for words. But what happens when you find yourself at a competition far away from home, unable to understand a teacher or coach’s words and lost in a barrage...
by Barry Kerollis | Apr 12, 2024 | Pointe+, Training
When Youth America Grand Prix was founded 25 years ago, ballet training experienced a big shift. While elite international ballet competitions have existed for decades, YAGP’s model helped democratize them by granting access to any student wishing to participate. Not...
by Gavin Larsen | Nov 3, 2023 | Pointe+, Training
Like anything in life, ballet is not immune to trends, not even when it comes to variations. And when the competition circuit gives a certain variation high visibility—usually following a winner’s standout performance—suddenly it seems to be everyone’s favorite,...
by Gavin Larsen | Apr 28, 2023 | Pointe+, Training
In her early teens, Claire Solis was a top student in her small school in upstate New York, and she had big ambitions. “There was never a doubt in my mind that I was going to be a principal dancer,” she remembers. Confident in how her future would play out, she...
by Katie Slattery | Mar 1, 2023 | Pointe+, Training
Let me open by saying that I admire you—choosing to enter a ballet competition must be daunting. I never had the opportunity myself, and in some ways, I am really relieved by that. My self-confidence was an issue when I was young, and I think I would have gone in with...
by Catja Christensen | Jun 7, 2022 | The Latest
The ninth Helsinki International Ballet Competition came to a close on Monday, June 6, with a celebratory gala and awards ceremony at the Finnish National Opera and Ballet. Sixty-two dancers representing 16 countries participated throughout the week of competitions,...
by Kyra Laubacher | May 29, 2022 | The Latest
Canceled twice during the pandemic, the ninth Helsinki International Ballet Competition is back. Held May 30–June 6, excitement is running high as this year’s competitors gear up for a week of intense training and performances. Of the 68 international competitors, 19...