August 8 , 2006

At the eighth quadrennial USA International Ballet Competition (USA IBC), faculty members of the International Dance School (IDS) awarded summer study scholarships to six young dancers. The IDS was held in conjunction with the competition, which took place June 17 – July 2 in Jackson, and provided an opportunity for intermediate and advanced level students to learn from some of the world’s leading dance teachers.

Full tuition scholarships for summer study in 2007 were provided by each respective school. Recipients include:

• Boston Ballet - Emily Liu of Antioch, Calif.
• Joffrey Ballet - Dustin Layton of Mize, Miss., and Laura Wolfe of Montgomery, Ala.
• The Rock School - Mary Weber of Sandy, Utah
• Alabama Ballet - Audrey Hagopian of Raleigh, North Carolina
• Joffrey South - Elizabeth Mateer of Boca Raton, Fla. (Scholarship also includes room and board.)

“We’re so pleased to work with prestigious ballet schools across the nation to offer these summer study opportunities,” said Sue Lobrano, executive director of the USA IBC. “Rewarding some of our most promising IDS students with these scholarships allows us to provide yet another benefit to school participants.”

The two-week International Dance School, offered to students ages 12 and older, gives young dancers the opportunity to study with master teachers during the day and attend competition performances at night. The 2006 school was filled to capacity, with participants hailing from 25 states and five countries.

For more information about the International Dance School, click here.