balletmama

Originally posted by BW

I have no doubt that the intentions of the people that started the YAGP were totally above board...and very good. I think it has a great deal of potential but obviously needs some serious organizational work. Lack of organization is one thing, but this double standard of allowing students to "enter" is entirely on another level. Balletmama, I have no doubt that there have been many good things that have come out of YAGP, and that many participants have benefited in all sorts of different ways...but the accounts that have been posted on this thread are not to be taken lightly. New events like this take time and fine tuning. If YAGP is to continue, it is my hope that the originators and organizers will be made aware of these disparities and complaints...otherwise it does not bode well.  [/b]

BW, I think your comments are balanced and constructive. I was taking issue with the "competition from hell" comment. Given the state of the dance world today, I think that it makes sense to try to support efforts to encourage young dancers to flourish (and to help build up an organization whose directors are obviously well-meaning and are running a competition that fills a niche). That includes helping develop more appropriate rules, a less frustrating NY schedule, etc.

Originally posted by aubri

So why bother with regional? :confused:

This might sound corny, but regionals were a wonderful experience for my favorite young dancer. To have the opportunity to prepare a variation and perform it there, to take the workshop classes, to connect with the other dancers...it was well worth doing and totally different from making a video.

Originally posted by Victoria Leigh

Can anyone explain to me why some students in this competition go through Regionals to get to NY, while others appear to just be entered and accepted directly into the NY finals?  

Dancers can audition for NY directly by video.

I think to call this "the competition from hell" is an exaggeration. Having attended one of the regional semifinals with my daughter, I can say that most dancers and parents I saw looked perfectly happy. I had never been to a ballet competition before, because our studio discourages them, but I was impressed that the dancers were more than civil to one another and that it was an opportunity for them to really learn and grow. My daughter, along with another 15-year-old competing in the Seniors, won a "special commendation from the judges," which amazed and delighted her; the YAGP people deserve credit for making an effort to recognize the youngest dancers in that age group. Also, their winners include dancers who are not from the biggest-name, big-company schools. And every dancer who competed was invited up to the stage and given a rose during the closing ceremonies. It seems to me that a fledgling operation like this, which is clearly rather understaffed but trying to do something positive for young dancers, ought to be encouraged by people in the dance world.

We stayed at the Apple Tree when our daughter was at NYSSSA. It is lovely, historic and charming, very comfortable, great breakfast with very pleasant innkeeper and guests, and very convenient to SPAC. (Even though it is in Ballston Spa, that is just a hop, skip, and a jump away. Or should I say a leap. ) I gather the Six Sisters is also an excellent choice. Both have links here http://www.discoversaratoga.org/asp...sp?NAME=Lodging

Have fun!

A few thoughts on nonradical groups and liturgical dance...

Of course the whirling dervishes in Turkey are Sufi Muslims.

At the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, which is not exactly a center of conservative worship style (I am happy to say),the Omega Dance Company contributes a great deal to services.

In my own small Episcopal church I have been trying to introduce some liturgical dance. Unfortunately I have trouble convincing our little old ladies that the dancers will look more like nuns than cocktail waitresses. :eek: