Author Archives: Brenda Trigg

44 Dancers Advance to USA IBC XI Semi-finals

Posted on by
Reply

Jackson, Miss., June 15, 2018 – The first round of the 2018 USA International Ballet Competition concludes with 44 competitors advancing to Round II. “The overall quality of the dancers in the USA IBC 2018 is extremely high,” Jury Chair John Meehan said. “In fact, several of the jurors noted it is the highest quality that we have seen in recent competitions we have attended.”

Ninety-two dancers from 17 nations performed in the all-classical Round I, June 11-14. Semi-finalists will perform contemporary choreography in Round II’s three sessions, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 16, and continuing with a 2 p.m. matinee and a 7:30 evening performance Sunday, June 17. All competition performances are at Thalia Mara Hall, 255 E. Pascagoula St.

“The next week here in Jackson promises to be a very exciting one as dancers perform their contemporary choreography and reveal a new dimension of their skill and artistry,” Meehan said.

Advancing to Round II are the following semi-finalists:

Senior Males

Jorge Barani (Cuba)

Jorge Boza Cáceres (USA)

Albjon Gjorllaku (Great Britain)

Takahiro Hayashi (Japan)

Yuki Kaminaka (Japan)

Hirofumi Kitazume (Japan)

Sangmin Lee (Republic of Korea)

Ryo Munakata (USA)

David Schrenk (USA)

Keynald Vergara Soto (Cuba)

Sicong Wu (China)

Senior Females:

Veronica Atienza (Philippines)

Katherine Barkman (USA)

Rieko Hatato (Japan)

Sayaka Ishibashi (Japan)

Shin Jungyoon (Republic of Korea)

Subin Lee (Republic of Korea)

Risa Mochizuki (Japan)

Chisako Oga (USA)

Yunting Qui (China)

Junior Males:

Diego Altamirano (USA)

Dulgunn Battsengel (Mongolia)

Hyuma Kiyosawa (Japan)

Joseph Markey (USA)

Razmik Marukyan (Armenia)

Harold Mendez (USA)

Isaac Mueller (USA)

Stephen Myers (USA)

Tokuyama Rui (Japan) 

Junior Females:

Elizabeth Beyer (USA)

Nicole Klaudine Barroso (Philippines)

Vanessa Childress (USA)

Cassidy Daves (USA)

Carolyne Galvao (Brazil)

Kanon Kimura (Japan)

Mya Kresnyak (Canada)

Liliana Lizalde (USA)

Jolie Rose Lombardo (USA)

Alexandra Manuel (USA)

Julia Rust (USA)

Rheya Shano (USA)

Avery Underwood (USA)

Tia Wenkman (USA)

Park Yujin (Republic of Korea)

Mona Nicholas, executive director of the USA IBC, said that visitors from 18 nations and 31 American states are attending the competition, which concludes June 23. Finalists will be announced Monday, June 18, with Round III taking place June 19-21. Medalists and other winners will be revealed at the Awards Gala Friday, June 22, and perform favorite selections of the jurors. The two-week competition concludes June 23 with an Encore Gala of performances by medalists. For tickets, visit usaibc.tix.com

 

USA IBC invites 119 dancers to compete in Jackson

Posted on by
Reply

JACKSON, Mississippi (March 14, 2018) – USA International Ballet Competition (USA IBC) officials announced today that 119 competitors from 19 nations have been invited to compete in the 2018 USA IBC, the official international ballet competition of the United States by a Joint Resolution of Congress. Held every four years in Jackson, Mississippi, the upcoming USA IBC is slated for June 10-23, 2018.

“The USA IBC showcases artistic excellence and provides a platform for dancers to test their skills against the highest international standards,” said Mona Nicholas, USA IBC executive director. “We anticipate a thrilling competition that will be life-changing for participants and exciting for audiences. Jackson is respected as a prestigious competition that launches dance careers.”

For the 2018 event, 53 of the selected competitors are juniors, ages 14 to 18, and 66 are seniors, ages 19-28. The United States has the highest number of competitors invited (52), followed by Japan (23) and Korea (14). Other countries represented by the selected competitors are Armenia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Columbia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Mexico, Mongolia, Peru, Philippines, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. See the full list here.

More than $150,000 in cash prizes will be awarded in addition to gold, silver and bronze medals; company contracts; apprenticeships and scholarships. All finalists (dancers who advance to Round 3 of the competition) will receive a $1,500 stipend.

The 2018 USA IBC—the 11th since 1979—will honor the legacy of Robert Joffrey, jury chairman for the first three Jackson competitions, with an opening ceremony performance by dancers appearing courtesy of the Joffrey Ballet. Joffrey Ballet Artistic Director Ashley Wheater will join members of the Gerald Arpino-Robert Joffrey Foundation in a presentation on Robert Joffrey, and the foundation’s Charthel Estner will conduct a master class in Joffrey’s teaching style. Alexei Ratmansky will be a featured speaker in the competition’s Arts & Lecture Series, presenting “200 Years of Petipa” to mark the bicentennial of Marius Petipa’s birth. Ratmansky will conduct demonstrations of Petipa choreography in the USA IBC Dance School, held concurrently with the competition. Edward Villella, National Honorary Chairman, will lecture on dancing for Balanchine. Olga Guardia de Smoak, a New Orleans organizer of the landmark Ballet Russes reunion in 2000, will lecture on the history of Ballet Russes and the making of the documentary that also will be shown. Victoria Rockhill Schneider of The HARID Conservatory will conduct the 2018 Teacher Training Program, focusing on the teaching of the School of Russian Classical Dance. For tickets visit www.usaibc.tix.com.

Teacher Training to be led by Victoria Schneider

Posted on by
Reply

In conjunction with the 11th USA International Ballet Competition, Victoria Rockhill Schneider leads the Russian Ballet Teachers Seminar – a program focusing on the teaching of The School of Russian Classical Dance. This noted program provides an in-depth analysis of the basics of technical achievements at the barre, in the centre, allegro and pointe work, as well as the implementation of the early development of artistry.

In its early years, the program was developed by the late Jurgen Schneider, former Ballet Master and Company Teacher for American Ballet Theatre and the late Janina Ciunovas, former faculty member of the Australian Ballet School. Together, they compiled their information from their studies as teachers, at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, GITIS, under Nikolai Tarasov and at the Vaganova Academy, under Alexander Pushkin.

In 1987, Mrs. Schneider began six years of study of The School of Russian Classical Dance with both Mr. Schneider and Ms. Ciunovas. In 1993, Mrs. Schneider was accepted to the methodology course at the famed Vaganova Academy under the artistic director, Igor Belsky, and the director of methodology, Margarita Zagorskaya. She completed the two-year course for international teachers, where she studied with Valentina Vasilievna Rumyanseva. Mrs. Schneider has been certified as a teacher of the Vaganova Program from the Vaganova Academy. She is the only natural-born American to hold this certification.

Mrs. Schneider has the benefit of her studies with her late husband, Jurgen Schneider, and the late Ms. Ciunovas, as well as from her studies in St. Petersburg, to provide a unique and important perspective on the teaching of The School of Russian Classical Dance. Along with her 23 years of experience teaching at the HARID Conservatory, she is able to offer this all-important thorough breakdown of the first year of study. This is not an overview, rather it is an in-depth breakdown of the “hows” and “whys” of the teaching of this methodology.

The Teacher Training Program will be held in four-hour afternoon sessions, Monday-Friday for two weeks during the USA IBC. Participants may also observe competitor class and dance school classes in the mornings. Additionally, Teacher Training Program participants will have observation access to Alexei Ratmansky’s lecture demonstrations and Joffrey master classes.

Outlets of Mississippi Donates Scholarships for Mississippians

Posted on by
Reply

JACKSON, Miss.  – The Outlets of Mississippi will provide six $1,500 scholarship awards for Mississippi ballet students enrolled in the 2018 USA International Ballet Competition Dance School, June 10-23, in Jackson.

The scholarships will help talented Mississippi youths participate in a unique and valuable summer dance experience, according to Mona Nicholas, USA IBC Executive Director.

“The USA IBC Dance School, held every four years during the competition, offers an opportunity to study with a distinguished international faculty and see top dancers from around the globe perform,” Nicholas said. “In sponsoring these scholarships The Outlets of Mississippi is demonstrating its commitment to our state’s young people and the arts.”

As the state’s largest outlet shopping destination, The Outlets of Mississippi became aware of the international ballet competition when the shopping center opened four years ago in Pearl, according to Kathy Hackshaw CSM, Director of Retail Operations/General Manager.

“The strenuous training and discipline that ballet offers to young people build both integrity and grace that last a lifetime,” Hackshaw said. “The Outlets of Mississippi is proud to be a sponsor of this prestigious event.”

Scholarship recipients will be selected in audition classes Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Mississippi Arts Center, 201 E. Pascagoula St. Audition class times are 10-11:30 a.m. for students ages 12-15 and noon-1:30 p.m. for ages 16-20. Eligibility guidelines for the USA IBC Dance School and Mississippi scholarships are available at www.usaibc.com/study. Questions may be directed to Arianna Marcell, Dance School Administrator, at 601-355-9853, ext. 3.

The 325,000 square-foot Outlets of Mississippi features a collection of more than 80 leading designer and name brands with savings of up to 65 percent off regular retail prices. Visit www.outletsofms.com for more information.

The USA IBC is the official international ballet competition for the United States, designated by a Joint Resolution of the U.S. Congress. The two-week event draws competitors and audiences from approximately 25 nations to Jackson. Approximately 160 students are expected to attend the Dance School. Visit www.usaibc.com for more information.

March 2 is deadline to apply to 2018 USA IBC Dance School

Posted on by
Reply

The USA IBC Dance School welcomes an eminent international faculty to Jackson June 10-23, 2018, for a two-week dance intensive running concurrently with the 11th USA International Ballet Competition.

Targeted to pre-professional ballet students between ages 12 and 20, the school will enroll from 150 to 175 students who have a minimum of four years of ballet (including one year of pointe for girls). All classes will be held in the state-of-the-art dance studios of Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center at Belhaven University.

Directing the 2018 school is David Keary, artistic director of Ballet Mississippi. Keary, who danced with New York City Ballet, has assembled a faculty with training in Russian, American, Bournonville and other ballet styles, as well as modern and jazz. The faculty members’ collective experience encompasses American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey, New York City Ballet, Kirov Ballet, St. Petersburg State Ballet, the Royal Danish Ballet and Paris Opera Ballet.

Faculty members include: Charles Askegard, Petrusjka Broholm, Carlos dos Santos, Zhanna Dubrovskaya, Fabrice Herrault, Maria Konrad, Svetlana Osiyeva, Rhodie Jorgenson and Marcus Alford.

The USA IBC Dance School offers students the unique opportunity to see world-class dance performances during the three rounds of the competition. “Seeing competitors perform nightly is the crown jewel of attending,” Keary notes. “It’s enthralling. It’s uplifting, and it gives students an idea of the level of commitment it takes to dance professionally.”

Click here for more information and to apply. Deadline for application is March 2.

2018 USA IBC Opening Ceremony to Honor Robert Joffrey, Feature Joffrey Ballet Dancers

Posted on by
Reply

The Opening Ceremony for the 2018 USA IBC will honor the late Robert Joffrey and feature a performance by dancers of the Joffrey Ballet. The USA IBC, the official international ballet competition in the United States by Joint Resolution of Congress, will be held June 10-23 at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson.

Joffrey, co-founder of the Joffrey Ballet, worked with the USA IBC founder, Thalia Mara, to launch the Jackson competition in 1979. He chaired the first three juries.

John Meehan, former American Ballet Theatre principal dancer, will chair the 2018 jury. “For dancers, the USA IBC is the most intense learning experience,” said Meehan, who served on 2010 and 2014 juries. “They learn about their confidence, their courage and themselves as performers.” Other jurors will be Yuri Fateev, Russia; Hae Shik Kim, Korea; Andre Lewis, Canada; Xiomara Reyes, Cuba; Trinidad Vives, Spain; Stanton Welch, Australia; Ashley Wheater, United Kingdom; and Feng Ying, China. Other jurors will be announced in coming weeks.

The 2018 USA IBC will welcome applicants ages 14 to 28, in keeping with other international ballet competitions. Approximately 100 dancers will be invited to compete from more than 300 applicants. Cash prizes for medalists will total $100,000.

Observing the bicentennial of Marius Petipa’s birth, choreographer Alexei Ratmansky of American Ballet Theatre will lecture on Petipa variations as part of a new USA IBC Arts, Lecture and Film Series.

Artist Kit Fields and 2018 USA IBC poster

Unveiled at the kickoff news conference for the 11th USA IBC, the 2018 commemorative poster features a painting by Jackson artist Kit Fields. “The beauty of the dancers, their energy and the excitement that is in the air at the USA IBC—these are the things I tried to capture,” she said. The poster, artist and art exhibit during the competition are sponsored by BankPlus

2018 USA IBC Dance School

David Keary, Ballet Mississippi artistic director and former New York City Ballet dancer, will direct the USA IBC Dance School, held concurrently with the competition. Faculty members will include Charles Askegard, Petrusjka Broholm, Carlos dos Santos, Jr., Zhanna Dubrovskya, Fabrice Herrault, Maria Konrad, Svetlana Osiyeva, Marcus Alford and Rhodie Jorgenson. All classes will be held in the state-of-the-art dance studios of Belhaven University.

 

2018 Competitor Rules & Regulations announced; minimum age to compete in USA IBC Junior Division is now 14

Posted on by
Reply

For the first time in USA IBC history, the Jackson competition will accept applications from dancers who will be at least age 14 and no older than age 28 by June 10, 2018, date of the USA IBC XI opening. Rules and Regulations are now posted, and competitor applications will be available at usaibc.com by October 2, 2017.

Kit Whitsett Fields is 2018 USA IBC official artist

Posted on by
Reply

Kit Whitsett Fields has been selected as the official artist for the 11th USA IBC. Fields’ painting—to be featured on the commemorative poster, program and other promotional materials—will be revealed at a fall press conference to announce details of the June 10-23, 2018, competition.

“I never considered that I would actually be part of the USA IBC as the artist─especially with so many great artists here,” said Fields, a Jackson, Mississippi, native. “It is very humbling. Nothing is as exciting as watching the best dancers in the world competing here in Jackson. I am so proud that this spectacular competition is held in our city and state.”

The 2018 artist was selected by a committee made up of USA IBC board and community members and art professionals. Fifteen Mississippi artists were invited to submit sketches for consideration, and six artists responded with their work.

Fields began painting professionally in 1995 and has studied with renowned and accomplished artists. Her work has been juried into and received awards in multiple local and regional shows, including the Southern Watercolor Society, Mississippi Grand National Exhibition and the Mississippi Watercolor Society.  She is a signature member of the Mississippi Watercolor Society and Southern Watercolor Society, as well as a member of the Jackson Watercolor Group and the Gaddis Group. Often depicting scenes of everyday life in the south, her pieces are displayed in public, corporate and private collections.

The tradition of showcasing a Mississippi artist’s work on USA IBC materials began in 1990, when Eleanor Greaves’ painting of dance costumes (including a tutu of founder Thalia Mara) was featured. Other official artists have included Mississippians Lynn Green Root, William Baggett, Kennith Humphrey, P. Sanders McNeal, Brent Funderburk and Andrew Bucci.

Raffle offers chance to win 2018 USA IBC ticket package

Posted on by
Reply

Support the USA IBC with your purchase of a $25.00 raffle ticket by Thursday, Nov. 16, and you could win a Ticket Package for the 2018 competition. The package includes one ticket to the Opening Ceremony, all Round 1, 2 and 3 performances, and the Awards Gala, a value of more than $400.

Drawing will be held at the 2017 Friends of the USA IBC Membership Party Thursday evening, Nov. 16. You do not have to be present to win.

USA IBC receives Mississippi Arts Commission grant

Posted on by
Reply

The USA International Ballet Competition of Jackson, Mississippi, has been awarded a $26,100 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC). This grant—a portion of the $1.3 million in grants the Commission will award in 2017-2018—will support the 11th USA International Ballet Competition to be held June 10-23, 2018, in Jackson. The grants are made possible by continued funding from the Mississippi Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

“Arts organizations throughout the state of Mississippi play a pivotal role in sharing the power of the arts with people from all walks of life,” said Malcolm White, executive director of MAC. “The arts are for everyone, and the Mississippi Arts Commission is pleased to support arts organizations committed to growing the presence of the arts in their communities.”

The USA IBC is the official international ballet competition for the United States, as designated by a Joint Resolution of the U.S. Congress.The two-week festival of dance transforms Jackson into a world dance center every four years. The 2014 event generated a combined economic impact of $12.1 million, according to a study conducted by the University of Southern Mississippi. The 2018 USA IBC is expected to again draw competitors from at least 20 nations and ticket buyers from across the nation and around the world. The USA IBC also offers a ballet instructional program throughout each school year, providing free lessons and dance wear for approximately 75 Jackson Public Schools students.

MAC, a state agency, serves the residents of the state by providing grants that support programs to enhance communities, assist artists and arts organizations; promote the arts in education and celebrate Mississippi’s cultural heritage. Established in 1968, MAC is funded by the Mississippi Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Mississippi Endowment for the Arts at the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson and other private sources.