Metropolitan Ballet Academy Student Dancers Take Top Honors At 2018 YAGP Philadelphia Regional Semi-Final

Young dancers studying at Metropolitan Ballet Academy (MBA) in Jenkintown, PA, achieved great success in the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), winning high honors at the annual competition's regional Semi-Finals held in Philadelphia January 4-7, 2018. 47 MBA dancers, including 14 young men from MBA's renowned Boys' Scholarship Program, will continue on to compete at the prestigious YAGP Finals in New York City, which will take place in April 2018. Metropolitan Ballet was honored to again receive YAGP's Outstanding School Award for the fourth time.

MBA Founder and Artistic Director, Lisa Collins Vidnovic said, "I am so proud of each of our young dancers who work so hard throughout the year. I am also grateful to our entire artistic staff; in particular, Ms. Natalya Zeiger and Mr. Taras Lewyckyj, who took great care in preparing our dancers for the stage. Finally, recognition must be given to our fantastic costume design and wardrobe team, led by MBA's Jan Schleiger, and the many dedicated MBA parents who all support our dancers during YAGP season and throughout the year." Students who excel at YAGP are often offered scholarships to study with regional ballet companies across America, and many of MBA's alumni dance professionally with companies from coast to coast.

In January 2018, MBA earned the following awards at the YAGP Philadelphia Regional Semi-Final:

• 2018 Youth America Grand Prix Outstanding School Award

• 1st place, Ensemble: Bukovinian Lark

Micaelina Carter (15, Horsham, PA), Juan Castellanos (17, Philadelphia, PA), Aedan Daly (12, Philadelphia, PA), Eoin Daly (17, Philadelphia, PA), Sarah Fedders (14, Jenkintown, PA), Jacey Gailliard (13, Philadelphia, PA), Sophia Hallquist (13, Jenkintown, PA), Hannah Henderson (17, Huntingdon Valley, PA), Ekaterina Hulayev (12, Abington, PA), Michael Jastrzebski (17, Philadelphia, PA), Maria Karakousis (13, Philadelphia, PA), Tino Karakousis (11, Philadelphia, PA), Bethany Latham (17, Bethlehem, PA), Tana Liu (13, Rydal, PA), Caleb Mansor (17, Hatboro, PA), Alexis McDonald (16, North Wales, PA), Madison Menale (15, Feasterville, PA), Emma Morrison (15, Doylestown, PA), Anastasia Mykich (12, Jenkintown, PA), Giulia Pascucci (15, Doylestown, PA), Emma Plinke (16, Souderton, PA), Anna Portis (15, Abington, PA), Bryson Reid (12, Perkasie, PA), Devon Reid (17, Perkasie, PA), Jadyn Reid (15, Perkasie, PA), Micah Sell (15, Philadelphia, PA), Gemma Smith (14, Jenkintown, PA), Margot Stern (15, Meadowbrook, PA), Gabrielle Straface (12, Abington, PA), Emily Warden (16, Wyncote, PA), Sophia Whittaker-Inserra (14, Moorestown, NJ), Isabella Wu (16, Chalfont, PA), and Lily Zeller (15, Warrington, PA)

• 2nd place, Senior Classical Soloist: Michael Jastrzebski (17, Philadelphia, PA)

• 2nd place, Senior Contemporary Soloist: Devon Reid (17, Perkasie, PA)

• Top 12, Senior Contemporary Soloist: Savannah Quiner (15, Long Valley, NJ)

• 3rd place, Junior Classical Soloist: Jacey Gailliard (13, Philadelphia, PA)

• Top 12, Junior Contemporary Soloist: Jacey Gailliard (13, Philadelphia, PA)

• Top 12, Junior Contemporary Soloist: Aedan Daly (12, Philadelphia, PA)

• Invitation to perform in New York: Children's Dance from La Fille Mal Gardee

George Arendt (11, Levittown, PA), Abigail Bergson-Conklin (11, Fort Washington, PA), Lucy Cullen (11, Glenside, PA), Ella Eaton (11, Hatboro, PA), Anabella Castellanos (12, Philadelphia, PA), Aedan Daly (12, Philadelphia, PA), Aisling Daly (10, Philadelphia, PA), Evan Gualtieri (10, Abington, PA), Madeline Jamieson (12, Jenkintown, PA), Tino Karakousis (11, Philadelphia, PA), Dennis Lyons (11, Philadelphia, PA), Mark Podolsky (12, Abington, PA), Giada Pontillo (10, Flourtown, PA), Bryson Reid (12, Perkasie, PA), Matthew Thorsen (12, Elkins Park, PA), and Miranda Vega (9, Jenkintown, PA)

Metropolitan Ballet Academy was recognized by Pointe magazine as one of America's seven ballet studios "cultivating top talent" (October/November 2011). MBA is now accepting enrollment for its summer intensive; fall classes for ages 3-18 start September 10, 2018. For class registration and information, call 215-663-1665, e-mail collinsvidnovic@verizon.net, or visit www.metropolitanballetacademy.com

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