JACKSON, Miss., March 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The
USA International Ballet
Competition (USA IBC) has invited
119 dancers from 19 nations to compete in the 2018 USA IBC, the
official international ballet competition of the United States by Joint Resolution of
Congress. Held every four years in Jackson, Mississippi, the 11th
USA IBC is slated for June 10-23.
"Showcasing artistic excellence, the USA IBC is a platform for dancers to test
their skills against the highest international standards," said
Mona Nicholas, USA IBC executive director. "Jackson is respected as a prestigious
competition that launches dance careers. We anticipate a thrilling
competition."
Fifty-three of the invited competitors are juniors, ages 14 to
18, and 66 are seniors, ages 19-28. The
United States has the highest number of invited dancers
(52), followed by Japan (23) and
the Republic of Korea (14). Other nations represented are
Armenia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Columbia, Cuba, Dominican
Republic, Kyrgyzstan,
Latvia, Mexico, Mongolia, Peru, Philippines, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
Medals, company contracts, apprenticeships, scholarships and
more than $150,000 in prizes will be
awarded. All dancers who advance to Round 3 will receive
$1,500.
The June 10 USA IBC opening
ceremony will honor the late Robert Joffrey, jury chairman for the
first three Jackson competitions,
and feature Joffrey Ballet dancers in performance. Joffrey Ballet
artistic director Ashley Wheater
will join the Gerald Arpino-Robert Joffrey Foundation in a lecture
presentation, and Charthel Estner,
foundation executive director, will conduct a master class in
Joffrey's teaching style.
The Arts & Lecture Series will mark the bicentennial of
choreographer Marius Petipa's birth with a presentation by
Alexei Ratmansky of American Ballet
Theatre. Ratmansky also will demonstrate Petipa choreography in a
workshop with USA IBC
competitors.
Edward Villella, USA IBC National Honorary Chairman, will
lecture on dancing for George Balanchine at New York City Ballet.
Olga Guardia de Smoak, an organizer
of the landmark Ballet Russes reunion in 2000, will speak on the
history of Ballet Russes and the making of the documentary that
will be shown. Victoria Rockhill
Schneider of The HARID Conservatory will conduct the
USA IBC Teacher Training Program,
focusing on the School of Russian Classical Dance.
For a complete list of competitors, visit
www.usaibc.com/compete. For more information and tickets visit
www.usaibc.com.
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SOURCE USA International Ballet
Competition