IrvingKids.com

Ballet Academy of Texas receives Top Awards
Feb 28th, 2009

Youth America Grand Prix, an international ballet competition for students ages 9 – 19, held their Regional Competition for the Southwestern area of the United States this past weekend at the Irving Arts Center. More than 200 dancers attended from all over the United States, Canada, and even China. The Ballet Academy of Texas received the top award of “Outstanding School”. This is the 4th time for the school to win the award in 8 years of entering the competition. The dancers were judged by professionals from major ballet companies in the United States such as New York’s American Ballet Theatre. The school entered 3 group dances, or Ensembles, and 2 of them, “La Vivandiere” (pictured here) and “Capriccios” tied for 1st place in the Ensemble Category. The Choreographer of “Capriccios”, former Joffrey Ballet dancer Trinette Singleton, received the “Outstanding Choreographer Award”.

Some of the Academy students also competed in solos in the Junior and Senior categories. Top Juniors from the school in the Classical division were Courtlyn Hanson (13) and Rayleigh Vendt (14) who won 2nd and 3rd place respectfully, with additional dancers in the top 12 being Katie Cheng (14), Julia Nicholson (13), Hannah Snowden (14), and Natalie Tsay (14). There was a Contemporary competition for Juniors where the Academy dancers also scored very high. Katie Cheng (14) won 1st place, Rayleigh Vendt 2nd place, and Courtlyn Hanson placed in the top 12. In the Senior category, Brittney Dito (age 16) won 3rd place in the Contemporary Division, and Ms. Dito, Nathan Vendt (16) and Jared Tennison (18) placed in the top 12 Classical Division . All of these dancers are members of the Academy’s official performing company, the Ballet Ensemble of Texas, and are directed by former professional dancer Lisa Slagle. They will be performing a full program of dance, including the 2 winning group dances, at the Irving Arts Center February 27th and 28th. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling (972) 252-ARTS.