Since 1999, Youth America Grand Prix has been hosting the world’s largest student ballet scholarship competition. This year, the program marked its 25th anniversary with three nights of performances at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The event attracted hundreds of young dancers from around the world who showcased their talents and competed for scholarships.
The dancers ranged in ages from 9 to 19, with students competing for scholarships and professional dancers who were program alumni coming together for the occasion. Accompanied by Tchaikovsky music, the ballerinas stood on their toes and gracefully shifted their weight from one foot to the other in a step known as bourrée for a full minute. Tina Shi, an adjudicator for Guinness World Records, proudly announced the official count of 353 dancers in unison, establishing a new Guinness world record. This achievement surpassed the previous record of 306 ballerinas on pointe en masse.
Youth America Grand Prix is based in New York and has been providing opportunities for aspiring young dancers to pursue their dreams since its inception. The program not only serves as a platform for these dancers to showcase their talents but also provides them with valuable mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals in the industry. In addition, it also serves as a way for professional dancers who have gone through the program to give back and support the next generation of ballet dancers.