Students of Ballet East were honored at the Youth America Grand Prix semifinal competition that took place Jan. 9-11 in Tampa. Among the top finishers were Ballet East students Jules Mabie, who received second place in both classical and contemporary in the junior men’s category, while Carley Anderson and Erica Borden both received third place in the contemporary category in their respective age divisions.
In addition, multiple Ballet East students were honored with top 12 and top 24 achievements in both classical and contemporary categories. Students Nicole Alfaro, Carley Anderson, Erica Borden, Paige Lewis and Madison Russo placed among the top 12 in the classical ballet division. Aspen Bohn placed amongst the top 24 in the classical division. In the contemporary division, students Nicole Alfaro, Aspen Bohn, Paige Lewis and Madison Russo all received top 12 rankings.
In the ensemble division, Ballet East’s “Falling Gently, Floating Down,” choreographed by Chelsea and Bree Nasby, placed second and was one of the few pieces selected to perform in the Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow Gala. Ballet East students were honored to dance alongside numerous principal dancers from leading companies.
Furthermore, Director Chelsea Nasby was honored with the Outstanding Choreographer award for the many pieces she choreographed for her students. Students Erica Borden and Jules Mabie, and “Falling Gently, Floating Down,” will advance the New York finals held in April.
The Youth America Grand Prix, founded in 1999, is the world’s largest international ballet competition that awards full scholarships and job contracts to dancers from age 9 to 19.
Ballet East is now accepting students for its spring season, which will end with the premiere of “The Secret Garden” in June at the Eissey Campus Theatre. For more info., contact Ballet East at (561) 683-0096 or balleteastfl@gmail.com.
ABOVE: (Front row) Nicole Alfaro; (second row) Reese Rengstl, Erica Borden and Sophia Rose; (third row) Madison Russo, Aspen Bohn, Jules Mabie, Sydney Sheldon and Paige Lewis; (back row) Carley Anderson, Evelyn Borden, Tara Brigham and Daisia Pulz. Not shown: Sophia Balfour.
