Congratulations to the 2019 Youth America Grand Prix Winners
April 19, 2019

This week, more than 1,000 young hopefuls gathered in New York City for the Youth America Grand Prix finals, giving them the chance to compete for scholarships and contracts to some of the world’s top ballet schools and companies. Roughly 85 dancers made it to the final round at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater on Wednesday. Today, the 20th anniversary of YAGP came to a close at the competition’s awards ceremony. Read on to find out who won!


Grand Prix Award Winner


Gabriel Figueredo in a variation from Raymonda


VAM Productions, Courtesy YAGP

Gabriel Figueredo (18), John Cranko School, Germany

Senior Women


Grace Carroll in a variation from Paquita


VAM Productions, Courtesy YAGP

1st Place: Grace Carroll (15), Tanya Pearson Academy, Australia

2nd Place: Yazmin Verhage (16), Ballettschule Theater Basel, Switzerland

3rd Place: Arianna Crosato Neumann (16), Danzaira Escuela Profesional de Ballet, Peru

Senior Men


Junsu Lee in a variation from Grand Pas Classique


VAM Productions, Courtesy YAGP

1st Place: Junsu Lee (16), Korea National University of Art, South Korea

2nd Place: Francisco Gomes (15), Academia Annarella, Portugal

3rd Place: Joaquin Gaubeca (16), Cary Ballet Conservatory, Argentina

3rd Place: Harold Mendez (17), The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School, Cuba

Youth Grand Prix Winner


Darrion Sellman in a variation from Swan Lake


VAM Productions, Courtesy YAGP

Darrion Sellman (14), Los Angeles Ballet Academy, USA

Junior Women


Rebecca Alexandria Hadibroto in a variation from Harlequinade


VAM Productions, Courtesy YAGP

1st Place: Rebecca Alexandria Hadibroto (12), Malrupi Dance Academy, Indonesia

2nd Place: Ava Arbuckle (14), Elite Classical Coaching, USA

3rd Place: Madison Brown (13), Lents Dance Company, USA

Junior Men


Misha Broderick in a variation from Diana and Acteon


VAM Productions, Courtesy YAGP

1st Place: Misha Broderick (13), Master Ballet Academy, USA

2nd Place: Andrey Jesus (13), Bale Jovem de Sao Vicente, Brazil

3rd Place: Seungmin Lee (14), Sunhwa Arts Middle School, South Korea

Special Awards


Joao Vitor da Silva in a variation from Coppélia


VAM Productions, Courtesy YAGP

Shelley King Award for Excellence: Summer Duvyestyn (12), Classical Coaching Australia, Australia

Grishko Model Search Award: Ava Arbuckle (14), Elite Classical Coaching, USA

Natalia Makarova Award for Artistry: Anastasia Poltnikova (17), Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Russia

Dance Europe Award: Gabriel Figueredo (18), John Cranko School, Germany

Mary Day Award for Artistry: Joao Vitor da Silva (15), Ballet Vortice, Brazil

Outstanding Choreographer Award: Maiko Miyauchi and Christina Bucci, Yarita Yu Ballet Studio, Japan

Outstanding Teacher Award: Mariaelena Ruiz, Cary Ballet Conservatory, USA

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