Youth America Grand Prix

New York, NY

General

Reviewer:

Parent with Dancer Input

Competition experience:

2-5

Event Details

Round:

Regional

Season:

2025-26

Location:

New York, NY

Traveled to compete:

Regionals attended:

Rationale for multiple regionals:

As a parent, I found attending multiple YAGP regionals to be an incredibly valuable and rewarding experience! Each regional provided my child with wonderful opportunities to grow as a dancer, gain confidence, learn from different experiences, and be inspired by talented young dancers from around the world. Beyond the competition itself, it was truly special to connect with other families, teachers, and members of the dance community. Every regional offered something unique, making each experience meaningful and memorable. I am deeply grateful to YAGP for creating such an inspiring, supportive, and professional environment where young dancers can pursue their dreams, develop their artistry, and create lifelong memories. It is absolutely worth attending multiple regionals!

Who encouraged multiple regionals:

Entry affiliation:

School

Rules Easy to Access?

Yes

Did Dancer Miss School?

Attended master classes:

Yes

Master Classes

Master Class Types:

Technique

Master class teachers:

Anna Liceica taught the master class, and it was an absolutely wonderful experience! Her exceptional knowledge, professionalism, and passion for ballet were truly inspiring. She created a positive, encouraging, and nurturing environment while providing valuable corrections and artistic guidance. As a parent, I was so grateful for the opportunity for my child to learn from such an extraordinary artist and teacher. Thank you, YAGP, for bringing such outstanding professionals to inspire the next generation of dancers!

Distance from venue:

At the same venue

Received corrections:

Yes

How corrections were given:

Miss Anna’s master class was an incredibly positive and inspiring experience! She provided thoughtful, detailed corrections both individually and to the entire group, making sure every dancer had the opportunity to learn and improve. Her corrections were clear, constructive, and always delivered with kindness and encouragement. She paid close attention to technique, musicality, artistry, and proper placement while inspiring the dancers to challenge themselves and grow. What stood out most was her ability to create such a warm, supportive atmosphere where every dancer felt comfortable, confident, and motivated. As a parent, it was wonderful to see how much my dancer learned and enjoyed the experience. We are truly grateful for such an exceptional teacher!

What corrections were about:

The corrections and comments my dancer received were entirely focused on ballet technique, artistry, musicality, and overall growth as a dancer. The instructor offered thoughtful, constructive feedback while creating a positive and encouraging learning environment. The corrections were delivered with kindness, professionalism, and genuine care for each dancer’s development. There were no inappropriate comments, body shaming, or exclusionary language. My dancer felt respected, inspired, and motivated to continue improving. It was a wonderful and valuable learning experience!

Anatomical language:

Yes

Correction tone:

Positive

Teacher engagement:

The teachers were incredibly engaged, enthusiastic, and attentive throughout the master classes. Their energy was inspiring and created such a positive and motivating atmosphere. They actively moved around the room, offered thoughtful individual corrections, and encouraged every dancer to do their best. It was wonderful to see their genuine passion for teaching and their dedication to helping each student grow. A truly exceptional experience!

Crowding:


Really Crowded	Plenty of Room to Move

Master Class Feedback

Technique:

Additional master class comments:

The master classes were truly exceptional! The ballet technique class was challenging in the best possible way, with thoughtful combinations, detailed explanations, and incredibly valuable corrections. The teachers created such a positive, inspiring, and supportive atmosphere while maintaining high artistic and technical standards. Every dancer was encouraged to work to their fullest potential, and the attention given to individual students was wonderful. The classes were beautifully structured, engaging, and educational. It was a fantastic experience, and we are extremely grateful for the dedication, professionalism, and passion of the teachers!

Performance Details

Venue name:

It was at la Guardia performing art center

Venue description:

The competition venue was wonderful! The lobby was spacious, welcoming, and well organized, providing a comfortable area for dancers and families to gather. The seating was comfortable and well arranged, offering a great view of the stage. Overall, the venue created a warm, professional, and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone attending the competition.

Stage description:

The Marley flooring was excellent, providing a safe, comfortable, and professional surface for the dancers. It offered just the right amount of grip without being slippery, allowing dancers to move confidently and perform at their best. The space was spacious, well-maintained, and perfectly suited for ballet classes and performances. Overall, the conditions were outstanding!

Off-stage warm-up space:

The warm-up area was spacious, clean, and well-organized, providing dancers with plenty of room to stretch, prepare, and move comfortably before their performances. The space never felt overcrowded, creating a calm, positive, and supportive atmosphere.

Dressing rooms:

The dressing rooms for both female and male dancers were clean, spacious, comfortable, and well organized. There was plenty of room for dancers to change, prepare, and keep their belongings. The separate dressing areas provided privacy and a welcoming environment, allowing everyone to feel comfortable and ready for their performances. Overall, the facilities were excellent and thoughtfully arranged.

Parents in dressing rooms:

Male dressing room:

Yes

Parents backstage:

Yes

Onstage warm-up:

The open stage warm-up was an excellent experience for my dancer! The space was well organized, spacious, and welcoming, allowing dancers to feel comfortable and confident before their performances. The atmosphere was positive, supportive, and professional. My dancer had plenty of opportunity to warm up, become familiar with the stage, and prepare both physically and mentally. Everything ran smoothly, creating a calm and encouraging environment. It was a wonderful experience that helped my dancer feel fully prepared and excited to perform!

Schedule adherence:

Tended to mostly run on time

Other schedule comments:

The entire schedule was exceptionally well organized and ran smoothly from beginning to end. Everything was thoughtfully planned, with excellent communication, efficient transitions, and great attention to detail. The organizers did an outstanding job keeping everything on time while maintaining a positive, welcoming, and professional atmosphere. It was truly a pleasure to be part of such a beautifully coordinated event. My sincere appreciation to the entire YAGP team for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to providing an exceptional experience for everyone involved!

Staff communication:

Communication between the competition staff and our school was excellent throughout the entire event. The staff was professional, organized, responsive, and always willing to assist. Any logistical updates or schedule changes were communicated clearly and in a timely manner, allowing everything to run smoothly. We truly appreciated the team’s dedication, kindness, and attention to detail. Their outstanding communication contributed greatly to such a positive and enjoyable experience!

Parent seminar offered:

Judging

Judging rubric clarity:

Yes

Judges' attentiveness:

Yes, all judges were actively watching

Feedback turnaround:

A few days after the competition

Type of Feedback:

Extensive written feedback, Numerical scores

Feedback helpfulness:


Not Helpful At All	Extremely Helpful

Main takeaway:

My overall takeaway was extremely positive. My dancer received thoughtful, encouraging, and constructive feedback that highlighted strengths while offering valuable guidance for continued technical and artistic growth. The corrections were specific, respectful, and motivating, helping my dancer feel inspired and confident. The instructors created a supportive environment that encouraged individuality and personal development. I did not observe any coded language, body shaming, or inappropriate comments. The entire experience was educational, uplifting, and truly beneficial for my dancer’s development.

Scoring felt fair:

Yes

Awards & Scholarships

Awards ceremony:

The awards ceremony was an absolutely amazing and unforgettable experience for both dancers and spectators! The atmosphere was filled with excitement, joy, and celebration. It was wonderful to see the dancers recognized for their hard work, dedication, and passion. The energy in the audience was incredibly positive and supportive, with everyone celebrating each other’s achievements. The ceremony was beautifully organized and created such a special, inspiring, and memorable moment for everyone involved. A truly outstanding experience!

Won an award or training offer:

Yes

Festival offer:

Yes

Gala offer:

Invited to finals:

Yes

Award or Training Offer Description:

My dancers were incredibly honored to receive the prestigious Grand Prix Award at Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). This recognition was a tremendous achievement and a beautiful acknowledgment of their hard work, dedication, artistry, and commitment to excellence. We are extremely proud and grateful for this wonderful experience and recognition!

Festival offer details:

Unfortunately, although my dancers were honored to receive the prestigious Grand Prix Award, they were unable to attend the festival due to scheduling conflicts. We were truly grateful for the recognition and the wonderful opportunity, and we hope they will have the chance to participate in the future.

Final Comments

Best aspect:

The most beautiful aspect of this competition was the incredible atmosphere of inspiration, encouragement, and genuine love for dance. It was truly heartwarming to see so many talented young dancers sharing their passion, supporting one another, and celebrating each other’s achievements. Beyond the awards and recognition, what made this experience so special was the opportunity for young artists to grow, gain confidence, build friendships, and create unforgettable memories. The dedication of the organizers, the professionalism of the faculty, and the warmth of the entire dance community made this event truly exceptional. It was much more than a competition—it was a beautiful celebration of artistry, hard work, dreams, and the future of ballet. An experience we will always cherish!

Worst aspect:

I genuinely cannot identify any negative aspects of the competition. The entire experience was exceptionally well organized, positive, and inspiring. From the professionalism of the staff to the supportive atmosphere, every aspect reflected a true dedication to the dancers and their artistic growth. It was a wonderful and memorable experience!

Competition culture:

YAGP creates an extraordinary culture of excellence, encouragement, respect, and inspiration. What makes this organization truly special is its ability to bring young dancers, teachers, and artistic leaders from around the world together in an atmosphere of warmth, generosity, and mutual support. Beyond the competition, YAGP celebrates artistry, individuality, dedication, and the joy of dance. Every dancer is made to feel valued, inspired, and part of a beautiful international ballet family. It is a culture that nurtures dreams, builds confidence, creates lifelong connections, and opens doors to incredible opportunities. This is what makes YAGP so exceptional!

Attendee culture:

The attendees created an incredibly warm, welcoming, and inspiring atmosphere throughout the competition. There was a beautiful sense of community, mutual respect, and genuine appreciation for the art of ballet. Dancers and families supported and celebrated one another, creating an environment filled with positivity, encouragement, and excitement. What made the experience truly special was the shared passion for dance and the feeling that everyone was part of one big ballet family. The atmosphere reflected the very best values of the dance community.

Suggested changes:

At this time, I would not suggest any changes. The competition is exceptionally well-organized and creates a positive, inspiring, and supportive environment for dancers, teachers, and families. I truly appreciate the dedication, professionalism, and care that go into making this experience so special.

Cost vs. expectation:


Significantly More	Significantly Less

Time worth it:


Not Worth It	Worth Every Minute

Overall rating:

Anything else?

I highly recommend this competition to all young dancers and their families! It is an exceptional experience that goes far beyond the stage, offering invaluable opportunities for artistic growth, inspiration, and personal development. The professionalism, supportive atmosphere, and genuine dedication to nurturing young talent make this competition truly special. It is a wonderful opportunity for dancers to build confidence, create lasting memories, and take meaningful steps toward their dreams. An experience I wholeheartedly recommend!