Youth American Grand Prix, also known as YAGP, is the leading classical dance competition in the US. It was founded in 1999 and is currently in its 26th season. It’s based in New York City, but the organization hosts competitions and workshops around the globe. Over 15,000 students will participate in a YAGP event this 2024-25 season and seven of those students are from LFHS this year.
This season, YAGP had two Chicago dates: January 23-26 and February 6-9.
“I think it is probably the most unique competition that I’ve ever done,” senior Megan Gapinski said.
YAGP has three competitive age groups: Pre-Competitive, 12-14, and 15 & Up. This year, sophomore Alexandra Whelan was in the top 12 in the classical category ages 15 & Up.
While the competition took about 3 days, preparation starts months in advance.
“I started learning my variation at the beginning of July,” senior Chloe Fournier said. “I would rehearse for up to three times a week for a total of two hours.”
Courtesy of Lake Forest Dance Academy
A typical competitor at YAGP will learn choreography from a classical ballet. Many of these variations were created in the 1800s by choreographer and ballet pedagogue Marius Petipa.
“I’ve done a lot of different variations,” Whelan said. “I’ve done one from Paquita, La Ventana, Kitri Act One (Don Quixote), Act One Lilac Fairy (Sleeping Beauty), and then this year I’m doing Odile from Swan Lake and Aurora Act Three.”
The days of YAGP look different for each competitor ranging from different start times to the order of their dances and masterclasses. For Gapinski, her competition started on Saturday afternoon.
“I got to warm up in the dressing room, change, and put some extra makeup on,” Gapinski said. “Before I went onstage, I talked to my teacher and she gave me some extra corrections.”
Dancers participate in Open Stage, which is where every competitor goes out on stage at the same time to run their pieces before they compete in their category. This allows dancers to practice on stage before performing. The texture of the floor can impact dancing en pointe, which is when a dancer wears a special type of shoe that allows them to balance on the top of their toes.
One of the battles that these dancers face is striving for perfection. This season, Whelan has focused on knowing little mistakes are “not the end of the world.”
“I’m never gonna have a perfect run on stage,” Whelan said. “It’s physically impossible and if I make one mistake, it’s okay.”
YAGP can lead to other opportunities. Whelan received scholarships and invitations to various summer intensives to work with prestigious teachers.
While some dancers have now completed their classical competition season, for others, this marks the beginning of more competitions to come.
“I did ADC IBC (the American Dance Competition) at the beginning of January and I may be going to their finals,” Whelan said. “I also have Universal Ballet Competiton and Inferno and Ash since I’m with a group (Dance Academy of Libertyville Conservatory) this year.”
YAGP and other classical competitions are a way to grow as a dancer.
“I think it’s a great learning opportunity and I think it’s a lot of fun,” Fournier said. “It’s a great way to push yourself as a dancer.”
