Offers extended to 2018 USA IBC medalists, competitors
As the 11th USA International Ballet Competition ended in June, 18 young dancers received medals and other awards. Most of these winners and 13 additional Jackson competitors also have received contract, traineeship or scholarship offers from 14 prestigious ballet companies and schools.
“Dancers come to Jackson to test themselves against the highest international ballet standards and to be seen by artistic directors who are looking to add to their companies,” Mona Nicholas, executive director, stated. “We are pleased to announce that dancers received at least 44 offers following their experience at the USA IBC.”
Companies and the invitations extended were:
American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, company membership for the 2018-2019 season:
- Rheya Shano, Junior Bronze Medalist
- Kanon Kimura, Semifinalist
- Maddison Goodman
Atlanta Ballet
- Company contract: Katherine Barkman, Senior Silver Medalist
- Apprenticeships: Nicole Barroso, Jury Encouragement Award winner; Isaac Mueller, Semifinalist; Emma Guertin and Fuki Takahashi
- Atlanta Ballet 2 position: Mya Kresynak, Robert Joffrey Award winner
- Summer intensive scholarships: Alexa Torres and Katherine Stevens
Ballet West
- Company contracts: Chisako Oga, Senior Bronze Medalist; Ryo Munakata, Finalist
- Traineeships: Diego Altamirano, Semifinalist, and Luke Westerman
- Ballet West II: Joseph Markey, Junior Bronze Medalist, and Derek Drilon
Ballet X, summer intensive scholarship:
- Avery Tessmer
Colorado Ballet Academy, scholarships to the pre-professional division:
- Stephen Myers, Finalist
- Isaac Mueller, Semifinalist
Columbia Classical Ballet
- Traineeships: Hyuma Kiyosawa, Junior Silver Medalist: Harold Mendez, Junior Bronze Medalist
- Full-tuition school scholarship: Alexandra Manuel, Finalist
Columbia City Ballet
- Contracts: Stephen Myers, Finalist; Alexas Torres and Princess Reid
- Scholarships: Joseph Markey, Junior Bronze Medalist; Isaac Mueller, Semifinalist; and Arthur Erlanson
Houston Ballet, scholarships for Houston Ballet Academy professional division, summer intensive and Houston Ballet II contract:
- Elisabeth Beyer, Junior Gold Medalist
- Carolyne Galvao and Julia Rust, Junior Silver Medalists
- Rheya Shano and Tia Wenkman, Junior Bronze Medalists
- Alexandra Manuel, Finalist
- Mya Kresnyak, Joffrey Merit Award winner
- Hyuma Kiyosawa, Junior Silver Medalist
- Joseph Markey, Junior Bronze Medalist
Nashville Ballet
- Contract with Nashville Ballet II: Stephen Myers, Finalist
- Full scholarship to 2019 summer intensive: Isaac Mueller, Semifinalist
Perm Ballet School offered a full scholarship to Isaac Mueller, Semifinalist.
The Joffrey Ballet and Joffrey Academy of Dance
- Contracts: Sangmin Lee and Soobin Lee, Senior Silver Medalists/Best Couple; Julia Rust, Junior Silver Medalist; Derek Drilon and Princess Reid
- Scholarships: Nicole Barroso and Razmik Marukyan, Jury Encouragement Award winners; Hyuma Kiyosawa, Junior Silver Medalist; Tia Wenkman, Junior Bronze Medalist; Albjon Gjorllaku and Stephen Myers, Finalists; and Isaac Mueller, Semifinalist
The Washington Ballet/TWB School
- Scholarships: Diego Altamirano, Semifinalist; Harold Mendez, Junior Bronze Medalist; Rheya Shano and Tia Wenkman, Junior Bronze Medalists; Mya Kresnyak, Robert Joffrey Merit Award winner; Isaac Mueller, Semifinalist; Maddison Goodman; Alexandra Gray; Lucy Hassman; Avery Tessmer; and Luke Westerman
- Traineeships: Dulguun Battsengel, Semifinalist; Sangmin Lee, Senior Silver Medalist; and Boris Ceballos
Tulsa Ballet
- Apprentice contract: Alexa Torres
- Full trainee scholarships: Isaac Mueller, Semifinalist; Stephen Myers, Finalist; Maddison Goodman; Alexandra Gray; Yaman Kelemet
- Scholarships for the school year: Jaden Grimm and Lucy Hassman
Royal Winnipeg Ballet, school scholarships:
- Jaden Grimm
- Mya Kresnyak, Robert Joffrey Merit Award winner
- Yujin Park, Finalist
- Avery Underwood