OVERVIEW

In alignment with the continued growth of the Ballet Arkansas School for Dance, the school proudly offers its students the exclusive opportunity to participate in the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), one of the most prestigious international ballet competitions for aspiring dancers. Membership on the YAGP team is a distinguished privilege that demands unwavering dedication, commitment, and a strong work ethic. Participation is by invitation only, at the discretion of Ballet Arkansas, and team members will receive coaching from the esteemed Artistic Staff and Company Artists. **Ballet Arkansas will offer YAGP programs based upon the level of interest received from School for Dance students. The spring 2025 program is designed as an introduction to summer and fall YAGP training. YAGP classes are arranged around studio availability and Community Cast rehearsals scheduled for "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

 

ABOUT YOUTH AMERICA GRAND PRIX (YAGP)

YAGP is the largest student ballet scholarship audition in the world, providing a platform for young dancers, ages 9-19, to showcase their talent, receive constructive feedback, and compete for scholarships to renowned dance schools.

Key Features of YAGP:

• Global Reach: YAGP hosts auditions in cities around the globe, offering dancers from diverse backgrounds the chance to participate.

• Scholarship Opportunities: The competition awards prestigious scholarships, helping talented dancers further their professional dance education.

• Mentorship and Networking: YAGP connects dancers with industry professionals, fostering mentorship and networking opportunities that can shape their careers.

• Performance Experience: Participants perform on stage, gaining invaluable experience that enhances their growth as dancers.

• Educational Workshops: YAGP offers masterclasses and workshops led by world-renowned dancers and instructors.

YAGP is renowned for discovering and nurturing young talent, with many alumni going on to achieve successful careers in prestigious professional dance companies globally. For detailed information, refer to the YAGP Rules and Regulations.

 

CLASS SCHEDULE & ENROLLMENT

We are excited to announce the start of our YAGP classes at Ballet Arkansas School for Dance, offering a unique opportunity for dancers to refine their skills, explore artistry, and prepare for competition in the 25|26 season.

Class Schedule: Classes will be held on the following weekends:

• March: 2, 9, 16

• April: 6, 13, 19

• May: 4

 

What to Expect: Participants will learn initially variations and present them in a format inspired by Bournonville's Konservatoriet during this year’s costumed concert, Jubilee, for Ballet Arkansas School for Dance. While individual costumes will not be used in the demonstration, dancers will be responsible for purchasing:

• A practice tutu or romantic tutu (make and model specified by Ballet Arkansas). Example: https://www.danceleotard.com/products/rehearsal-ballet-tutu-skirt

• A single assigned royal blue leotard for Ballet Arkansas’s YAGP Team.

  • Blue - Tanks | Mariia Crown ME632C | DiscountDance.com

  • Women's Mock Neck Tank Leotard - Tanks | Mariia Crown ME632 | DiscountDance.com

 

Variations learned during these classes will be a touchpoint to explore each student's grasp of classical repertoire and will be further perfected over the summer in our YAGP intensive program, preparing dancers for competition as part of the 25|26 season. *Each students' assigned competition variation is subject to change. 

 

YAGP team members will enjoy the following exclusive opportunities:

• Access to customized Ballet Arkansas YAGP merchandise.

• Use of practice tutus for all YAGP classes and rehearsals.

• Participation in classical and contemporary solos and a group piece (Junior or Senior participants) for competition, with a focus on achieving excellence individually and as a team.

• Masterclasses led by répétiteurs and stagers working with Ballet Arkansas company artists in Spring 2025.

 

ELIGIBILITY

• Enrollment: To participate in the YAGP team, students must be enrolled one ballet class per week at the Ballet Arkansas School for Dance, at minimum. Classes taken at other studios do not count toward this requirement. Only Ballet Arkansas students will be presented at YAGP competitions. Students enrolled in two or more classes per week are eligible to compete with multiple solos and in the ensemble piece.

• Age: Students must meet the age requirements for the YAGP competition groups: Pre-Competitive (9-11), Junior (12-14), and Senior (15-19).

• Technique: Students must demonstrate a high level of technical skill and artistry, as well as consistent progression in their classical ballet training. Students must complete assigned classes at a commendable level, as assessed by their instructors.

• Professionalism: Students on the YAGP team are considered ambassadors of Ballet Arkansas and the School for Dance and shall be expected to comport themselves in a professional manner while in the studio and in all instances when representing Ballet Arkansas. 

• Absence of injury: Competitors will not be presented if risks to their development or execution of assigned material are present due to injury. 

• Applicants who wish to join the YAGP team in the Spring of 2025, must have attended the informational meeting in the Fall of 2024, unless approved by Ballet Arkansas. 

 

TUITION AND FEES

• Monthly Tuition: YAGP team membership includes a monthly tuition fee covering classes, rehearsals, and team-specific training. Students are responsible for paying their own YAGP registration fees and any additional costs associated with ballet workshops or conventions related to YAGP.

• Costumes: Students must purchase or rent their own competition costumes for YAGP.

• Team Garb: Students wishing to purchase YAGP Team apparel are responsible for these costs.

• Transportation: Travel to and from YAGP competitions and events is the responsibility of the student and their family.

 

SCHEDULE - SPRING 2025

Sunday Evenings:

• 3:00 - 4:15 pm: Pre-competitive/Junior Class

• 4:15 - 5:45 pm: Rehearsal

• 5:45 - 7:00 pm: Senior Class

• 7:00 - 8:30 pm: Rehearsal

 

MEMBERSHIP

Membership on the YAGP team is contingent upon the student’s performance in class and rehearsals. Ballet Arkansas reserves the right to remove any student from the team if their technique is not up to standard, if they are consistently absent or tardy, if they engage in unbecoming conduct, or if they fall behind on tuition payments.

 

COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS

• Classical Solo: All YAGP team members must compete with a classical solo.

• Contemporary Solo: Students may also compete with a contemporary solo, if invited. In these cases, Ballet Arkansas will select the choreographer, and additional costs will apply for the choreography.

By joining the Ballet Arkansas YAGP team, students will receive intensive training, the opportunity to compete at a high level, and the potential to earn scholarships to top dance programs, helping them advance toward their professional dance careers.

 

ENROLLMENT DETAILS

Enrollment for spring YAGP classes will open on February 11th and remain open until March 1st. Students enrolled in this this year's sample offering of YAGP classes will be eligible to perform as part of the YAGP exhibition within Jubilee, the costumed concert of the Ballet Arkansas School for Dance on May 10th. Dancers interested in joining the YAGP team in the fall of 2025 may do so at upon the opening of registration for fall classes, following the approval of Ballet Arkansas. Fall class times will be announced in the spring of 2025.

​​

​

YAGP INTENSIVE - JUNE 9-11, 2025

Students interested in enrolling in YAGP team activities in the fall of 2025, and current members, are invited to attend the YAGP Intensive. The intensive will introduce elements of classical variations and provide concentrated guidance at the start of the summer in advance of the start of summer training. If you are enrolled at the Ballet Arkansas School for Dance, to enroll in the YAGP intensive, you must be approved for Level 2/3 and above. 

​

Pre-Competitive (9-11), Junior (12-14), and Senior (15-19).

Monday, June 9

9:00 - 11:00 Junior Team Class

11:00 - 2:00 Junior Team Repertory 

​

Tuesday, June 10

9:00 - 11:00 Senior Team Class 

11:00 - 2:00 Senior Team Repertory 

​

Wednesday, June 11

9:00 - 11:00 Pre-competitive Team Class 

11:00 - 2:00 Pre-competitive Team Repertory ​