March 15, 2006

Perseverance. Determination. Heart. These are three defining characteristics that can make a dancer great. The United States Department of Labor Statistics reports that “professional dancers and choreographers held about 38,000 jobs in 2004. Many others were between engagements, so that the total number of people available for work as dancers over the course of the year was greater.”

Without the proper exposure, it is often difficult for dancers to become successful in their field. Because of the intense competition for work, it takes stamina and dedication to develop a career in dance. For many, participating in a sanctioned competition, such as the USA International Ballet Competition, is the best choice for enhancing a dancer’s visibility and increasing the likelihood of signing a professional contract.

Many recognize Haiyan Wu, Mikhail Ilyin and Katia Carranza as principal dancers in the Miami City Ballet, but in 2002 they were medalists at the USA International Ballet Competition. Designated as the official USA Competition by a Joint Resolution of Congress, the USA IBC is held every four years in the tradition of sister competitions in Russia ( Moscow) and Bulgaria (Varnia), where the concept of the international ballet competition began in 1964.

Performing with the Miami City Ballet equals career success for a young dancer. At the 1997 Kennedy Center Honors, the company was referred to as “the fastest growing and certainly among the most exciting ballet companies in the country.” Katia Carranza, a native of Mexico and 2002 senior bronze medalist, might not have garnered the attention of such a distinguished organization without the USA IBC.

“The Jackson competition changed my life,” she said. “In 1998, the director of Miami City Ballet saw my performance and gave me the opportunity to dance in the United States.” Carranza also met her husband, Luis Serrano (also a dancer with Miami City Ballet) at the USA IBC.

Mikhail Ilyin, a 2002 bronze medalist, began his early training at the Vaganova Ballet School in his native Russia. He was a member of the Boston Ballet before the competition and credits his current placing in the Miami City Ballet with his USA IBC success. Other 2002 medalists have also gone on to dance with prestigious companies such as the American Ballet Theatre, Estonian National Opera’s Ballet and the San Francisco Ballet.

The eighth USA IBC is scheduled for June 17 – July 2, 2006.