CARMEL, Ind — Hundreds of talented dancers aged 9 to 19 are in Carmel this weekend, putting their best foot forward at the Youth America Grand Prix. The largest student ballet competition in the world.
"They see in excess of 10,000 dancers worldwide from Australia, Japan, South America and around the United States," said president and director of the Rock School for Dance Education, Peter Stark. "From those 10,000 about 500 are selected to go to the finals in New York City which is in one month."
"My main goal is to just be exposed at YAGP," said 16-year-old dancer Bethany Wong. "Just to perform for various people and to hopefully be seen and maybe offered something."
Something like a piece of the $350,000 in scholarships to top dance programs around the world that are awarded annually.
"In this time in the world where there are such great differences that here we are working on a classical art form that brings us together," said Stark, who is working as a judge for this weekend's competition.
Dancers come from across the country or even across the border. Everly Nedza traveled here from Toronto.
"As soon as I get on stage, I don't know, all the nerves go away," Nedza said. "I just turn into the character that I'm supposed to be in the role I'm supposed to be playing, and all the stage fright just goes away — and I love being on stage with the lights and everything."
Lights that will shine on the next generation of classical dancers.
"The humanity and the beauty and the sharing of people through classical music and dance is just an incredible blessing for us all," said Stark.
The competition is at The Tarkington Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel and runs through Sunday.