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Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) brought
an exciting lineup of young talent to
Jacob's Pillow this past weekend with
Fresh Voices in Dance, a showcase of
original choreography and exceptional
performers. Presented October 16–18 at
the Doris Duke Theatre, the program
featured approximately 50 dancers and
eight rising choreographers: Alexander
Mockrish, Braylon Browner, Davidson
Farias, Isabella Howard, Manoela
Gonçalves, My'Kal Stromile, Nnamdi
Nwagwu, and William Dugan. Participating
artists represented leading dance
companies and training institutions,
including ABT Studio Company, the Ailey/Fordham
BFA Program, Alberta Ballet School,
Boston Ballet II, Houston Ballet II, and
the San Francisco Ballet Trainee
Program, among others. With its
impressive range of choreographic
styles, technical virtuosity, and
creative ambition, the program offered a
compelling look at the talent shaping
contemporary ballet.
The performances marked the inaugural
public presentation of works developed
through the Marcella Hymowitz Creative
Fellowship for Choreography, established
through the generosity of Marcella and
Gregg Hymowitz. Designed to give
promising choreographers the resources
and artistic freedom to develop original
works, the fellowship represents an
important expansion of YAGP's mission.
Its debut at Jacob's Pillow, one of
America's most revered dance
institutions, provided a prestigious
stage for these new voices and an
opportunity to introduce their work to a
wider audience.
A former professional dancer, Marcella
Guarino Hymowitz has long been one of
YAGP's most dedicated champions, serving
on its Board of Trustees and as Creative
Chair of its annual New York Gala at
Lincoln Center. She has played an
important role in introducing the
organization to new audiences and
supporters from the worlds of fashion,
art, and entertainment. Among her
initiatives is YAGP's popular Pointe
Project, which has enlisted leading
designers, including Carolina Herrera,
Michael Kors, and The Row, to create
one-of-a-kind pointe shoes auctioned to
benefit young dancers. Hymowitz has also
helped establish the annual gala as a
highlight of New York's cultural and
social calendar, bringing together
celebrated performers, philanthropists,
and arts enthusiasts in support of
YAGP's work.
Founded in 1999 by former Bolshoi Ballet
dancer Larissa Saveliev, YAGP has grown
into the world's largest global network
of dance scholarship and education,
reaching more than 15,000 young dancers
annually through auditions, master
classes, workshops, and performances
around the world. The organization has
become a vital bridge between aspiring
dancers and professional careers,
connecting talented young artists with
scholarships, mentorship, and training
at prestigious international
institutions. Its alumni now perform
with many of the world's foremost ballet
companies, including American Ballet
Theatre, Dutch National Ballet, New York
City Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, and The
Royal Ballet. Under Saveliev's
leadership, YAGP continues to break down
geographic and financial barriers to
world-class dance education, ensuring
that talent and potential—not
circumstance—determine a young artist's
opportunities. |