TAMPA, Fla. – The Straz Center’s Next Generation Ballet (NGB) was named Best School at the

semi-final Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) competition held last month at the Straz Center. This

is the competition’s highest honor for a school.

More than 350 young dancers from nearly 50 dance schools across the southeastern United States competed in the four-day event. Selected dancers performed alongside professional dancers from the country’s top dance companies in The Stars of Today Meet Stars of Tomorrow on Jan. 11 at the Straz. 

Numerous NGB students placed highly in the competition. Tyler Wright placed first in both the

Senior Men Classical and Senior Men Contemporary divisions. Alexis Bull was awarded second place in Senior Women Classical division, Christopher McGowan placed second in the division of Senior

Men Classical, Kieryn Brophy earned second place in Junior Women Classical, Eleanor

Rohleder placed second in Pre-Competitive Classical, and David Consuegra placed third in the Junior Men’s Classical division.

YAGP, the largest student ballet competition in the world, screens more than 5,000 dance students internationally in regional competitions. NGB students Wright, Rohleder, Bull, Brophy and Virginia Archer will join 1,200 dancers from around the globe in the New York finals April 10-17 for scholarships and job offers. 

Under the direction of Artistic Director Philip Neal, NGB is a stepping stone for great dance talent as the program prepares students for professional employment through instruction, coaching and performance opportunities. NGB dancers have been awarded scholarships to the world’s leading ballet schools and have been hired by top ballet companies.

Related