Hot off the press...information on dates and enrollment in next year's Jackson IBC. Along with the Varna, Moscow & Helsinki contests, this is one of the 'grand-daddies' among competitions, with UNESCO sponsorship. Like Moscow, the Jackson one happens only once every four years. - NN

*****Press Release*****

THE USA INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION
IS NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES
Acclaimed International Dance Event Only A Year Away

Jackson, Miss., July 15, 2005 – With less than a year until the opening ceremony, the USA International Ballet Competition (USA IBC) announces that competitor applications are now available, giving amateur and professional dancers the opportunity to participate in one of the world’s most prestigious dance events. The eighth USA IBC is scheduled for June 17 – July 2, 2006.

“As the entry process is set in motion, dancers from around the globe strengthen their performance skills to train for the experience of a lifetime,” said Sue Lobrano, USA IBC executive director. “Held every four years in Jackson, Mississippi, the USA IBC is the premier dance event in the United States. We are already anticipating the excitement that accompanies such a history-making event where the new talents of dance are discovered and careers launched.”

The USA IBC is providing applications by request to inquiring competitors via mail, and application information and forms are also available for download at www.usaibc.com.

Deadline for entries is February 3, 2006. The entry requirements for 2006 are similar to those of the 2002 competition. Dancers will have the option of performing either two solo variations or one pas de deux during all rounds of the USA IBC.
Dancers may compete in two divisions: Junior, ages 15 to 18, and Senior, ages 19 to 26.

Many U.S. and international company directors attend at the USA IBC to scout for dancers for their companies. As an incentive for 2006 competitors, a limited number of one-year dance company contracts will be offered to finalists and medal winners. To date, one-year contracts at Miami City Ballet, Boston Ballet II and Ballet San Jose of Silicon Valley are available at the discretion of company officials.

Tickets for the 2006 USA IBC are available in both ticket packages and individual performance tickets. All-inclusive ticket packages go on sale to International Ballet Association members October 3, 2005, and January 2, 2006, to the public. Individual performance tickets go on sale April 3, 2006.

For more information, visit the USA IBC’s Web site at www.usaibc.com or call 601.355.9853.
*****

I was just visiting the USAIBC site and they now have listed John Meehan and Cynthia Harvey as Master and Mistress of Ceremonies for the 2006 competition. No jury listed as of yet! Here is the link:

www.usaibc.com/master.html

I know it's still a long way off, but does anyone know if they are planning on attending? I haven't been to a competition, but I went to a gala/benefit last Spring and had a wonderful time. I'm blocking the time off in my calendar.

I am thinking of it because I have a college buddy in Jackson, so I'd have a free place to stay AND I'd get to see my buddy and her family.

Now that it is getting closer to the IBC I believe more people will know if they are attending. I am, as I am also going to the summer dance school they have during the competition.

A most interesting program, filled with many familiar names.

I was intrigued by the lineup of primarily 19th century choreographers: Perrot and Bournonville from the first half of that century, Fokine from the first decade of the 20th, passing through lots of Petipa on the way.

http://www.usaibc.com/music.html

Putting on my devil's advocate's hat , I was wondering how it's possible to justify the omission of so many more recent choreographers who are definitely part of the "international" canon, Balanchine being only the most obvious.

What ARE the rationalizations for restrictions like this?

Is this generally true of the other major international ballet competitions? Or do others focus more on the modern (if post-World War One can be considered modern)?

Hi!
My husband and I will be going to Jackson. I'm glad that this thread is being updated as I learn so much from the postings here on BT. I'm hoping to read all sorts of ideas, insights, points of view, opinions, and just general information about other viewpoints. Such postings will undoubtedly enhance my experience in Mississippi.

I've seen the line-up for this competition. I've seen the line up for a few others. I really don't know anything about ballet (my son dances instead) but from what I understand, a dancer just can't dance variations or works from certain choreographers. These works are held tightly in trusts. These works, as all artistic works, enjoy years of copywrite protection. One must have permission, in writing, in order to perform such work. One must also generally have at least some level of supervison/oversight by someone deemed knowledgable by the trust to guarentee that the work is presented in the proper method/style/manner.

Here in South Carolina, our local university is very pleased that Stacie Calvert is now on the faculty. She brings with her access to Balanchine's choreography. Every program printed has a little blur expressing heart-felt debt to the Balanchine trust for permission to dance the work. Thus, this is my understanding. In Helsinki, competitors had to present, in writing, permission to perform or proof of the rights to their contemporary pieces too.

mouse

Since I am not going as a competitor, I do not have knowledge of this information, but maybe you can explain it to me....

The link that was sent by Bart that is on the IBC website talks of using certain music to conform to the IBC rep guidlines. Are the dancers able to use any choreography that pertains to that variation (with permissions)? Are they restricted to those variations? I was curious as to why you saw many of the same variations in competitions. And for the modern, are they able to use different music, or are they a restricted there too? Thanks for any information!

Thank you for the update on Calvert. I always liked her dancing, and I missed her when she left NYCB.

Hi!
Stacie Calvert is doing an excellent job here in Columbia. The USC dance program just became an accredited major this year. One could only minor in dance before. Miriam Barbosa, a former Martha Graham dancer, is also on staff and doing some interesting choreography around town and elsewhere, including collaborative efforts with Marcelo Novo, a visual artist originally from Argentina. It has been almost like witnessing the birth of a new ballet and a new department, one open to exciting contemporary visions and grounded in strong technique. Recently (well, last November), I ran into Stacie in a long line outside the stage door. My non-dancing son performs the role of Mother Ginger in the local civic company. Stacie's daughter was a mouse. She said, "Ballet Mom? Not a role I actually ever imagined for myself" We both laughed.

About Jackson and contemporary choreography, I don't believe there are any hard-fast rules about music or the choreography. In Helsinki, one of the contemporary pieces was suppose to be set to music from the competitors home country. This rule didn't seem to be followed closely. Yet the competition did require proof of ownership/permission to use the choreography. Two modern pieces were required and both had to have written permission from the choreographer submitted before the event started. There were no such rules in the IBC Moscow competition. I'm not sure if written permission is required in Jackson or not. There is generally a time factor, however. In Helsinki, I think modern works had to be at least two and a half minutes or maybe three minutes. One competitor's work was too short. He simply changed the opening cue and added the necessary amount of time beforehand as movement without music! It worked perfectly with the mood and style of the piece. Had my son not told me about it, I would never have known that the dance wasn't suppose to be performed as I saw it. The dancer made the final round. There was a maximum amount of time too. I don't remember how long it was but some of the music abruptly "cut off" allowing everyone (including non-ballet people like me) to realize that the music should have continued but the dance was finished. If memory serves, these dancers didn't progress past the second round.

mouse

For the modern choreography, Jackson requires written permission both from the choreographer AND the copyright holder of the music. The first is fairly easy to obtain (assuming, of course, the dancer is working directly with the choreographer). The second (i.e., obtaining rights to music) is rather tedious and at times downright expensive.

Thanks, mouse and drval01, for your answers to my and AmaG520's questions. You explained something I've always wondered about.

Yes. Thank you!

I just saw the updated Competitors List, showing a few 'drops' since the original roster was published. Most significantly: the Bolshoi's Natalia Osipova is now out. A couple of Bolshoi corps ladies remain on the roster for Senior Ladies -- Anna Nikulina being the best known.

Lots and lots of talent in all categories. Here are some that caught my eye, just from my previous knowledge/viewings of them:

Senior Men is definitely the most 'packed.' This promises a Fight Royale among three hot-shots from Ukraine and a multiple-gold/Grand Prix medalist from Germany, via Russia:

* Germany - Danil' Simkin, born in Novosibirsk, Russia. Grand Prix winner of '05 Helsinki and gold medalist at Varna '04.

* Ukraine - Viktor Ischuk, 23 - Principal of Kiev Ballet; '05 Moscow IBC gold medal

* Ukraine - Zherlin Ndudi, 19 - the very exotic Russian-born dancer with African roots; trains in Munich; won '04 Eurovision, 2nd in '05 Moscow IBC.

* Ukraine - Andrei Pisarev, 20 - Andrei won gold at '04 YAGP; son of Vadim Pisarev, a multi-gold-medalist himself.

Lots of others in the hunt for medals, including soloists & principals from San Francisco Ballet, Houston Ballet, Kazakhstan National Ballet...not to forget Daniel Sarabia of Boston Ballet, brother of Rolando...and also , for the USA, Joseph Gatti of Cincinatti (gold '04 YAGP and '05 NY-IBC) and ABT Studio Co. member Brooklyn Mack. I get dizzy just reading this senior men's roster!

Junior Men is not quite as 'packed' as the seniors but also presents many talended dancers, e.g., the USA's Matthias Dingman (gold '04 Vienna & bronze '05 Moscow); Japan's Kiohei Yoshida (2nd in recent YAGP) and from Mexico, via USA (Rock School), the charismatic Isaac Hernandez, who won bronze at the '05 Moscow IBC.

Senior Ladies - With the withdrawal of Osipova, this division has lost a bit of cache but still presents many talented dancers, such as:

* Japan - Misa Kuranaga - Boston Ballet 2nd soloist, winner of the '01 Moscow IBC gold medal.

* Japan - Yui Yonezawa - '04 Varna gold medal

* Lithuania - Jurgita Dronina, a gorgeous dancer who won silver at '05 Moscow & Helsinki competitions.

* Russia - Natalia Domracheva, currently soloist with Kiev Ballet. Best known perhaps as Leonid Sarafanov's partner at '01 Moscow IBC, before winning a silver medal herself in '05. Petite, blonde, charming.

Junior Ladies. Always the 'wild card category' with many brand-new faces. Judging from those I've seen live or on video (from '05 Moscow IBC), I'd say to keep an eye out for:

* Two Russians, Natalia Vorontsova and Elena Kozakova, who won silver and bronze medals, respectively, at last year's Moscow IBC. Both are studying with the Bolshoi's academy in Moscow. Vorontsova just graduated, I believe.

* Two of the USA's brightest hopes happen to have Eastern roots: Christine Shevchenko (Ukrainian background), the gold medalist, jr division, '05 Moscow IBC, who studies at the Rock School; and Anastasia Sinitsina (Russian heritage), one of the young 'stars' of Washington, DC's Universal Ballet Academy. Sinitsina absolutely 'wowed' me at the recent UBA spring/graduation show, dancing an amazing 'Nikiya's Snake Dance' from Bayadere. Shades of Lopatkina at the start of her career!

Of course, many, many other competitors can surprise. Hopefully the judging will be fair to everyone.

I won't attend but I hope that BalletTalkers who will be in Jackson may post impressions.

Joesph Gatti and Brooklyn Mack are seniors, no?

Hi!
Natalie wrote: "I won't attend but I hope that BalletTalkers who will be in Jackson may post impressions."

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE! Do post, those of you fortunate to be making this trip! I cannot count on my competitor having his cell phone with him at the moments of available time. He doesn't say much when competing anyway! I had no intention of missing this and looked forward to it (with fear, doubt, and excitement) since 2002 when my neighbor, Joseph Philips, won the junior men's gold. Now, I'm unable to attend. I guess it's okay because I really don't know anything about ballet. (It's like in another language, and I'm not just referring to the French terms!) I've learned so much from the posters on this board that I doubt that I could have written anything worth reading anyway. So, please, those of you going, post messages! I will be anxious to read anything about the competition and promise to continue learning as I go!

I will definitely miss seeing Daniil Simkin. Even an "idiot" like me knew to be blown away each time he took the stage in both Vienna (2004) and Helsinki (last summer).

I quite agree with Natalie's statement: "Sinitsina absolutely 'wowed' me at the recent UBA graduation show, dancing an amazing 'Nikiya's Snake Dance' from Bayadere." Again, I know nothing about technique; but she is quite stunning and very beautifully expressive.

By the way, Joseph Gatti is competing in the senior men's category, not the juniors. I so very much wanted to see him perform. Hopefully, that day will come soon!
mouse

Oops - my error. Sorry. Mack & Gatti are both seniors. Well, that makes the senior men's category even more of a Battle Royale! I'm correcting the above post now.

By the way, here are the jurors:

Bruce Marks, Chairman, USA; Julia Moon, South Korea; Thomas Lund, Denmark; Konstanze Vernon, Germany; Doris Laine, Finland; Nina Novak, Venezuela; Tetsuji Adachi, Japan; Gizella Witkowsky, Canada; Denise Schultze, South Africa; Lita Beiris, Latvia; Simon Dow, Australia; Bruce Simpson, Great Britain; Zhanna Dubrovskaya, Russia

Mouse, I'm so sorry that you won't be able to make the trip. Let's hope that some of our friends can report. Jackson is lots & lots of fun. A very intense two weeks, sweetened with Southern Hospitality!

Mouse, please do post when you see something. It's great to hear what people like and don't like, and when you think someone blew you away or was beautifully expressive.

Please forgive my ignorance, but who exactly is this?

Julia Moon is director and prima ballerina of Korea's Universal Ballet Company. (Washington Ballet fans might remember her as Hoon Sook Pak some years ago). Others may know this -- I'm not sure if she is still dancing. She was two years ago. (I'm sure this is a coincidence but I can't help pointing out that Simon Dow was also a Washington Ballet dancer in the late '70s and '80s.)

He's no stranger to ballet competitions: he was Amanda McKerrow's (non-competing) partner the year she won in Moscow.

Hello everyone...I wanted to add a few names to Natalia's "drop" list that I know of who are no longer participants.

I was sad to see Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun (Senior) from San Francisco Ballet not listed anymore. She is a stunning dancer and I'm sure she would have done very well in the competition.

Also Joseph Gorak from Orlando Ballet (Junior) is no longer a competitor but will still partner one of the Junior competitors.

Emily Ellis (Junior) fom Cincinnati Ballet has withdrawn as well.

Like Mouse I'm hoping to be there but our plans are unsure at this time. If we do go it will be for the 3rd round and Galas. There was extensive coverage at Ballet.co.uk for the last Jackson Competition and I'm hoping they'll do the same for this one. So between this site and Ballet.co it will be wonderful to follow the events for those of us who won't be able to make it and have family members or friends who are competing!

I will be attending the whole time, and I plan to post as often as I can. I was fortunate enough to go in 2002 as well. There seems to be a huge amount of talent this year. I am so excited I can hardly wait!

Wow, I missed this when I read the list, thanks tango49. I completely agree regarding Nutnaree. Stunning is an apt word to describe her.

Hi!
Thank you tango49 for the tip about the site in the UK. I found it and the very nice, day-by-day, dancer-by-dancer group of posts for the entire 2002 competition. It was very interesting to read about which I'd only heard tales, stories, and highlights. I posted a question too, asking if the same sort of coverage was planned for this year's competition. The answer came almost immediately and was YES. Now, like tango49 stated: "it will be wonderful to follow the events for those of us who won't be able to make it and have family members or friends who are competing!" Yes, it will be wonderful!
mouse

Ami...I doubt that many would disagree that Nutnaree is a major talent and I was so looking forward to seeing her dance in Jackson if we made the trip. I hope that her withdrawal is due to something other than a major injury

Mouse...Yes the coverage was simply wonderful in 2002 and I particularly loved the personal interviews...some with several competitors. There's no doubt that Jackson roles out the red carpet for this major event and I'm sure the excitement is beginning to build for everyone involved being only a week away. We're still on hold but we do have hotel reservations for the week of round III just in case!

I have a really dumb question. Is there a listing of who is dancing each night &/or a listing of what round is being conducted each night somewhere? I need to decide what night I will go or if I will go. If such a list does not exist I guess I will just call the ticket person & pester her with questions. Oh I cannot get the ticket order form to load on my computer; I thought it might contain additional info too.

Here's a direct link to the competitor's list by country, seniors listed first, juniors next. (Gatti and Mack are both seniors.)

http://www.usaibc.com/releases/competitors.htm

There's also a .pdf file with short bios of the competitors from the competition home page. (The link text is, Click here for more!)

The ticket order form is also a .pdf file, which requires Adobe Reader, which is free and available for Windows and Mac users:

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html

The order form itself lists the round and session number for each date/time, but no levels. The FAQ states, "How can I find out the performance order so I can follow my favorite dancer?
Numbers are drawn randomly at registration, and the competitors keep their number throughout the entire process. They will perform in numerical order," but I don't see the order or session breakdown on the site.

Tiffany the list is posted in the jurist's hotel and the dining hall of the competitor's college site. There is no public list. Until the eliminations on Wednesday evening (late at night) even the competitors and the coaches do not know who will go on to the 2nd round.

There may be a problem in purchasing tickets in advance for the 3rd round and the closing events. For now the shows are sold out. Even the coaches have been left in the dark so to speak. The hope is that tickets will be turned in every day before the event to be sold to the coaches and the public.

It is a very worthwhile event to attend. I saw fantastic ballet. Well worth the trip to Jackson. Take a chance and go!

I have watched several of the sessions of Round I. I have also seen some really beautiful ballet. One of the concerns I have, however, is something I have noticed mostly in the junior boys round. Variations are being changed for the sake of tricks and we seem to be losing the "flavor" of the variation. Also, I have a question about Paquita that maybe someone can help me with. I have never seen the Paquita male variation danced as if it was the Don Q, i.e., a very Spanish, bull-fighter type dance. Maybe Mel can help me with this one. I felt as if the junior boys were disappointed to not have Don Q on their rep list, and used Paquita as the substitute. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

its the mom, I don't know whether this is the sort of thing you're referring to, but ....

Jury chairman Bruce Marks is interviewed in the June issue of Dance Magazine -- Question: "Are there any ... pet peeves among the jury? Answer: "The lapses of taste are the main thing. Technically, these kids can do a lot of stuff, and that's exciting. It's how they do it that's more important."

On a more positive note -- Question: "Has ballet technique evolved in the 15 years since you became chairman?" Answer: "Well, over my career I've seen huge differences in almost everything, from line to turnout. It's the same difference we've seen in the Olympics, where any little girl today in the swimming competition can beat the men's record from the 1930s. The kids dancing today have beautiful legs and feet; they do seven pirouettes stopping on half-pointe. They're so beautiful. I'm lucky I'm not auditioning now. I'd never be able to get into a company. My awful line, my God."

Thanks for the info. Yes, I have Adobe Acrobat and the ticket form still won't load, must be something with my computer. I was a student at the dance school and went to the IBC every night in 1998, and was a counselor and again saw IBC performances every night in 2002, so I hate to completely miss this one but I may have waited too long to get tickets and not be able to get any...I only have 3 days that I can attend performances so I'll just call and try my luck tomorrow. As far as the schedule I wanted to know what nights are Round I, which are Round II, etc. Ah maybe in 8 years or so I will have a good enough and flexible enough job to be able to take off from work for the whole 2 weeks and see all performances (I've always missed the afternoon shows).

bart, thank you so much for posting Bruce Marks' comments. (I think it's time for me to hunt down that issue before it's yanked from the newsstands...

Tiffany, I hope you get to go to Jackson IBC, even if it's for a couple of days. Good luck!

Tiffany, Round I ends Wednesday, 6/21, Round II Friday, 6/23-25, Round III Monday, 6/26. Awards announcement late Thursday, 6/29. Press announcement Friday, 6/30, Saturday, 7/1 Gala, Sunday, 7/2 Encore Gala.

Thanks so much, Ms. Schneider. I have been calling the USA IBC box office today with no luck (just getting a machine), so I've emailed and am waiting for a response. The machine says that tickets are available still but who knows if that is accurate. Hopefully I'll get to go on Monday, June 26, that would work best with my work schedule. I live less than 2 hours from Jackson so it can be a day trip. I don't remember IBCs in the past selling out, maybe they did and I was unaware, but in the future I will get tickets in advance!

Any news yet?

Yes, the results of the first round were out in the wee hours of the morning. 12 Senior men, 15 senior women. I know of 2 American men, Brooklyn Mack (schooling Radenko Pavlovich, Columbia Classical Ballet and Universal Ballet Academy, ABT Studio (Radencko Pavlovich coach), Joseph Gatti (schooling Orlando Ballet), Cinncinatti Ballet (Orlando Molina coach) 2 American women. I know Caitlin Valentine, born, raised and working at Orlando Ballet(FL) and Lauren Strongin from Sarasota Ballet (FL) had trained at Universal for 2 years and 4 years at John Cranko. The female coaches I can only assume, but I cannot name for sure.

Among the favorites Daniil Simkin is defintiely still in, Connor Walsh (Houston Ballet), Gleidson Vasconcelos (Royal Winnepeg) and Daniel Sarabia (Boston Ballet) are out. The level is unbelievably high.

The juniors are not as clear to me but I do know that Jeffrey Cirio is still in.

The jury eliminated more than half of the competitors. Let me say though that each and everyone of the competitors were highly talented, skillful ballet dancers who deserve big applause!

Link to complete list of dancers making it on to round 2:

http://www.usaibc.com/releases/semifinalists.htm

Biggest 'shocker' is, perhaps, the elimination of Daniel Sarabia.

Does anyone know if Pisarev made it , ? did he compete ?, he was definately a favorite if he would have been there, or he had a really bad night , as Dani sarabia did.

You better believe it!!!! that is the biggest shocker , he did'nt have a great night but not enough not to make it through , he has to dance through with his partner , so we will se how great he is , what a shame!

mer00 I did not see Pisarev there, but that does not mean he was not. Many of the competitiors do not take the classes provided nor do they rehearse publically. I had to get back to work after the first session of the first round so I really did not see much. He obviously did not make the cut, as did not many well deserving dancers.

Thanks if he would have been there we would have noticed him , he is the son of Vadim Pisarev, he is been winning alll this major competetions , he would have been noticed but as you said maybe he was and he just didn't make it like other great deserving dancers , like I have to say again daniel sarabia!
Thanks

mer00, when I said I did not see him, that was because I am well aware of who he is. I was actually looking for him.

I am a bit too much in shock right now to write about it, but Round 2 Session 3 must have been the most remarkable of all the rounds so far. Especially the piece performed by Daniil Simkin. Perhaps someoen will be able to report about it in more detail.

AmaG520: I am in agreement about Simkin's piece. He brought the house down with his piece tonight. I can't do the piece justice in words. All I can say is that he came out on stage dressed in a unitard with bird feathers. His piece was humorous without being campy. It had everything in it and the ending was a hoot. He turned his back to the audience and sort of squatted and bounced up and down. We thought it was the end of the piece, but he turned around and in his hand was a blown-up balloon representing a bird egg. This young man is a true artist, and I don't think there are many dancers who could have carried that piece off the way he did. My DS said that this piece was the highlight of Jackson for him so far.

As for the rest of the evening, I personally didn't like many of the pieces. I felt that many of the competitors did not dance true contemporary choreography. I liked Misa Kuranaga and Daniel Sarabia's piece choreographed by Viktor Plotnikov and the piece done by junior male Hiroya Fukuda.

Again, the judges have their work cut out for them.

Who choreographed Simkin's piece? According to the video on his website, he choreographed "Fallen Angel," which he performed at Helsinki last year.

Helene, I believe his father choreographed Fallen Angel, as well as the piece he performed last night.

Hi , I have heard he is amazing!!!! anynews of who made it to the 3rd , I just checked IBC website and didnt see it up yet
Thanks

This just in:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information:
Meredith Cleland, GodwinGroup – 601.944.0028
Nicole Bradshaw, USA IBC – 601.355.9853

2006 USA International Ballet Competition Names Finalists

JACKSON, Miss., June 26, 2006 – With the conclusion of Round II of the USA International Ballet Competition (IBC), 32 of the world’s finest young dancers will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals during the final round.

Round three competitors are: Senior Males: Cervilio Miguel Amador (Cuba), Joseph Gatti (USA), Masayoshi Onuki (Japan), Eddy Tovar (Cuba), Keigo Fukuda (Japan), Davit Karapetyan (Armenia), Alexandr Buber (Belarus), Avetik Karapetyan (Armenia), Viktor Ishchuk (Ukraine), Zherlin Ndudi (Ukraine), Brooklyn Mack (USA), and Daniil Simkin (Germany).

Senior Females: Adiarys Almeida Santana (Cuba), Yui Yonezawa (Japan), Janessa L. Touchet (USA), Jurgita Dronina (Lithuania), Caitlin Valentine (USA), Natalia Domracheva (Russia), Lauren C. Strongin (USA), Misa Kuranaga (Japan), and Marija Kicevska (Macedonia).

Junior Males: Ryo Izawa (Japan), Isaac Hernandez (Mexico), Jeffrey Cirio (USA), Mathias Dingman (USA), and Denys Cherevychko (Ukraine).

Junior Females: Francesca Dugarte (Venezuela), Christine Shevchenko (USA), Sae-Eun Park (Korea), Kayo Sasabe (Japan), April Giangeruso (USA), Elena Kazakova (Russia), and Sasha De Sola (USA).

“The USA IBC is a milestone in many dancers’ careers, and advancing to the final stage of competition is an unforgettable experience,” said Sue Lobrano, executive director of the USA IBC. “This is when competitors realize that they’ve endured the process and the rigor of being among the world’s best.”

Round III is scheduled for June 27 – 29.

Wow! Great going, guys.

I'd be really grateful if someone could briefly explain what these dancers will be performing as part of the finalist competition -- and how this stage of the competition will be structured.

Thanks in advance.