Metropolitan Ballet Academy Student Dancers Take Top Honors at 2017 YAGP Boston Regional Semi-Final Competitions

Young dancers studying at Metropolitan Ballet Academy (MBA) in Jenkintown, PA, achieved great success in the 2017 Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), winning high honors at the annual competition's regional Semi-Finals held in Boston in January. 11 MBA dancers, including nine 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 2017. Metropolitan Ballet was honored to again receive YAGP's Outstanding School Award for the third 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 Ms. Sarah Mettin, 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 2017, MBA earned the following awards at the YAGP Boston Regional Semi-Final:

2017 Outstanding School Award

• 1st place, Junior Classical Soloist: Savannah Quiner (14, Long Valley, NJ)
• 3rd place, Junior Contemporary Soloist: Savannah Quiner (14, Long Valley, NJ)
• 3rd place, Senior Contemporary Soloist: Michelle Quiner (17, Long Valley, NJ)
• Top 12, Senior Classical Soloist: Tyler Diggs (15, Holland, PA)
• Top 12, Senior Classical Soloist: Michael Jastrzebski (16, Philadelphia, PA)
• Top 12, Senior Classical Soloist: Michelle Quiner (17, Long Valley, NJ)
• Top 12, Senior Contemporary Soloist: Tyler Diggs (15, Holland, PA)
• Top 12, Junior Classical Soloist: Jacey Gailliard (12, Philadelphia, PA)
• Top 12, Junior Contemporary Soloist: Jacey Gailliard (12, Philadelphia, PA)

Large Ensemble, choreography by MBC alumna Sarah Mettin: Juan Castellanos (15, Philadelphia, PA), Eoin Daly (15, Philadelphia, PA), Tyler Diggs (15, Holland, PA), Jacey Gailliard (12, Philadelphia, PA), Michael Jastrzebski (16, Philadelphia, PA), Caleb Mansor (16, Hatboro, PA), Brian Ouzomgi (17, Meadowbrook, PA), Devon Reid (16, Perkasie, PA), Kyle Schoener (17, Chalfont, PA), and Micah Sell (14, Philadelphia, PA)

Metropolitan Ballet Academy, recognized by Pointe magazine as one of America's seven ballet studios "cultivating top talent" (October/November 2011), celebrated its 20th anniversary year in 2016. MBA is now accepting enrollment for its summer intensive; fall classes for ages 3-18 start September 11, 2017. For class registration and information, call 215-663-1665, e-mail collinsvidnovic@verizon.net, or visit www.metropolitanballetacademy.com.