March 21, 2006

USA International Ballet Competition officials announced today that 121 competitors from 27 countries will compete in the 2006 USA IBC, which is designated by Congress as the official USA competition. The event will be held in Jackson, Miss., June 17 – July 2.

“The caliber of these competitors is astounding,” said Sue Lobrano, executive director of the USA IBC. “We are excited to announce this talented group of dancers to the public and are thrilled about the excitement they will bring to the upcoming competition.”

During the 2006 quadrennial event, 44 dancers will compete as juniors, ages 15 to 18, and 77 as seniors, ages 19 to 26. For a complete list of competitors, click here.

“As the competitors are notified, we look forward to welcoming them to this history-making event where new talents of dance are discovered and careers launched,” Lobrano said.

In addition to cash, medals and scholarships, one-season contracts to Miami City Ballet, Boston Ballet II, The Washington Ballet Studio Company, Ballet Pacifica and Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley will be awarded at the discretion of company officials at the 2006 competition.

Along with competitors from around the world, the USA IBC also welcomes former USA IBC medalists who will perform during the opening ceremonies, including Danny Tidwell and Adrienne Canterna, both with the Complexions Contemporary Ballet Company. Also, Joseph Phillips with the San Francisco Ballet and Rolando Sarabia, previously with the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, will return to the USA IBC.

“We are delighted to welcome back artists who have taken away not only medals and prize money from the USA IBC, but career opportunities as well,” Lobrano said.

Serving as the 2006 master and mistress of ceremonies are John Meehan and Cynthia Harvey. Australian-born Meehan was a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre and the Australian Ballet, as well as a frequent guest artist with New York City Ballet and the National Ballet of Canada. In July of 2006, he will become artistic director of the Hong Kong Ballet. Harvey, who trained in her native California, was also a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. She is currently a guest teacher for American Ballet Theatre, the Royal Ballet School, Northern Ballet Theatre, Teatro alla Scala and the Norwegian National Ballet Company.

“Considering that John and Cynthia often danced together during their professional careers, we are eagerly anticipating their on-stage chemistry as master and mistress of ceremonies for this summer’s program,” Lobrano said.

Two world-renowned dance companies have also been tapped for performances during the USA IBC. Ballet Hispanico, which has been widely recognized as America’s foremost dance interpreter of Hispanic culture, will perform during opening ceremonies. Garth Fagan Dance, a modern dance company based in Rochester, New York , will conduct a master class for advanced and professional dancers, offer a lecture/demonstration open to the public and present an evening performance.

A festival of dance is planned for the USA IBC, including Classic Black, an exhibit on loan from the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts; a Pilates workshop; a performance featuring Regional Dance America companies; an exhibit of dance-related sculpture; luncheon presentations featuring speakers such as Douglas Turnbaugh of UNESCO’s International Dance Council and Claudia Folts of Tutu.com; and the USA IBC International Dance School and Teachers’ Workshop.

National sponsors of the USA IBC include American Harlequin Corporation, Capezio Ballet Makers, ChevronTexaco, McFadden Communications Group, Nissan North America, Inc. and Lifestyle Media, Inc.