YAGP 2026 – CHICAGO, IL (MAR) – WINNERS - YAGP

      JURY PANEL
                 
      Ashley Bouder       Former Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet  
                 
      Barry Kerollis       Master Teacher & Choreographer; Journalist, Dance Media  
                 
      David O’Matz       Soloist, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre  
                 
      Monique Smith       Broadway Performer; Choreographer; International Master Teacher  
                 
      Richard Glover       Ballet Professor, New York University Tisch School of the Arts; Faculty Member, Joffrey Ballet School  
                 
      Sonia Rodriguez       Former Principal Dancer, National Ballet of Canada  
                 
      Natalia Bashkatova       Assistant Artistic Director, YAGP; Former Principal Dancer, Bolshoi Theater; Performer,  
                 
      SENIOR AGE DIVISION
                 
  GRAND PRIX   Joseph Kirillov   16   Elite Classical Coaching, TX  
                 
      CLASSICAL DANCE CATEGORY   WOMEN  
                 
  1ST PLACE   Isabella Cheng   15   A&A BALLET, IL  
  2ND PLACE   Olivia Georgy   15   Engage Dance Academy, IL  
  3RD PLACE (TIE)   Amelia Hafen   17   Elite Classical Coaching, TX  
  3RD PLACE (TIE)   Eve Mack   18   Arrais Ballet, MA  
                 
      TOP 12   WOMEN  
                 
      Amelia Hafen   17   Elite Classical Coaching, TX  
      Daniela Branavitskaya   15   The Academyof Dance Arts, IL  
      Eve Mack   18   Arrais Ballet, MA  
      Gabija Jankauskis   15   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
      Grace Batterman   15   A&A BALLET, IL  
      Isabel Lewis   15   Hudson Conservatory of Ballet, OH  
      Isabella Cheng   15   A&A BALLET, IL  
      Julia Konietzko   16   Minnesota Dance Theatre, MN  
      Kate Forster   18   The Rock School for Dance, PA  
      Mayuka Saito   18   Ayumi Ballet Studio, Japan  
      Olivia Georgy   15   Engage Dance Academy, IL  
      Persephone Leister   15   A&A BALLET, IL  
                 
      TOP 24   WOMEN  
                 
      Amelia Hafen   17   Elite Classical Coaching, TX  
      Ayla Davis   16   Minnesota Dance Theatre, MN  
      Brielle Baumgart   15   Engage Dance Academy, IL  
      Clara Deroche   17   West Suburban Ballet Conservatory, IL  
      Danica Deschamps   17   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Daniela Branavitskaya   15   The Academyof Dance Arts, IL  
      Eve Mack   18   Arrais Ballet, MA  
      Gabija Jankauskis   15   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
      Grace Batterman   15   A&A BALLET, IL  
      Isabel Lewis   15   Hudson Conservatory of Ballet, OH  
      Isabella Airato   15   Hinsdale Dance Academy, IL  
      Isabella Cheng   15   A&A BALLET, IL  
      Julia Konietzko   16   Minnesota Dance Theatre, MN  
      Juliette Jimenez-Gardner   17   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Kate Forster   18   The Rock School for Dance, PA  
      Kate Jarboe   15   Expressenz Dance Center, IN  
      Katelyn Sauve   16   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Katelyn Tian   17   Blanco Ballet Academy, IL  
      Lainie Theiss   17   The Academyof Dance Arts, IL  
      Mayuka Saito   18   Ayumi Ballet Studio, Japan  
      Olivia Georgy   15   Engage Dance Academy, IL  
      Persephone Leister   15   A&A BALLET, IL  
      Promise Rubino   15   Illinois Dance Conservatory, IL  
      Skylar Raphael   16   A&A BALLET, IL  
                 
      CLASSICAL DANCE CATEGORY   MEN  
                 
  1ST PLACE   Nikolas Parperides   18   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
  2ND PLACE   Nikhil Sengupta   15   A&A BALLET, IL  
  3RD PLACE   Joshua Martinez   17   Independent, NY  
                 
      CONTEMPORARY DANCE CATEGORY   WOMEN  
                 
  1ST PLACE   Gabija Jankauskis   15   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
  2ND PLACE   Kate Jarboe   15   Expressenz Dance Center, IN  
  3RD PLACE (TIE)   Chasina Yau   16   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
  3RD PLACE (TIE)   Macey Herbison   17   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
                 
      TOP 12   WOMEN  
                 
      Alexandra Whelan   16   Dance Academy of Libertyville, IL  
      Chasina Yau   16   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Colette Tier   17   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Gabija Jankauskis   15   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
      Grace Batterman   15   A&A BALLET, IL  
      Isabel Desouza   16   Victoria International Ballet Academy, ON  
      Juliette Jimenez-Gardner   17   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Kate Jarboe   15   Expressenz Dance Center, IN  
      Katelyn Sauvã   16   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Macey Herbison   17   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
      Olivia Georgy   15   Engage Dance Academy, IL  
      Sofia Ehn   15   Artistic Edge Dance Centre, WI  
                 
      TOP 24   WOMEN  
                 
      Alexandra Whelan   16   Dance Academy of Libertyville, IL  
      Bekah Appling   17   Monarch Academy of Dance, IL  
      Chasina Yau   16   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Claudia Minor   17   Claudia Minor, IA  
      Colette Tier   17   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Danica Deschamps   17   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Eva Coufal   15   Artistic Edge Dance Centre, WI  
      Gabija Jankauskis   15   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
      Grace Batterman   15   A&A BALLET, IL  
      Isabel Desouza   16   Victoria International Ballet Academy, ON  
      Jane Woodford   17   The Rock School for Dance, PA  
      Jessica Sebby   15   M3 Dance, IL  
      Juliette Jimenez-Gardner   17   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Kate Jarboe   15   Expressenz Dance Center, IN  
      Katelyn Sauvã   16   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Katelyn Tian   17   Blanco Ballet Academy, IL  
      Lainie Theiss   17   The Academyof Dance Arts, IL  
      Macey Herbison   17   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
      Madelyn Brecklin   16   Artistic Edge Dance Centre, WI  
      Olivia Georgy   15   Engage Dance Academy, IL  
      Persephone Leister   15   A&A BALLET, IL  
      Rachel Rabinovich   16   Academy of Ballet and Arts, IL  
      Sofia Ehn   15   Artistic Edge Dance Centre, WI  
      Vivian Wood   17   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
                 
      CONTEMPORARY DANCE CATEGORY   MEN  
                 
  1ST PLACE   Nikhil Sengupta   15   A&A BALLET, IL  
  2ND PLACE   Ty Elver   17   Artistic Edge Dance Centre, WI  
  3RD PLACE   Nikolas Parperides   18   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
                 
      JUNIOR AGE DIVISION
                 
  YOUTH GRAND PRIX   Annie Gustafson   14   Hinsdale Dance Academy, IL  
                 
      CLASSICAL DANCE CATEGORY   MEN & WOMEN  
                 
  1ST PLACE   Emma Tian   14   N&D Ballet, MA  
  2ND PLACE   Summer Wellman   13   Elite Classical Coaching, TX  
  3RD PLACE (TIE)   Braelyn Smith   14   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
  3RD PLACE (TIE)   Valerie Jia   13   Academy of Palo Alto Performing Arts, CA  
                 
      TOP 12   MEN & WOMEN  
                 
      Annie Gustafson   14   Hinsdale Dance Academy, IL  
      Arabella Murphy   14   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
      Braelyn Smith   14   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Emma Tian   14   N&D Ballet, MA  
      Leah Lau   12   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Mari Million   14   Independent, IL  
      Maria Joana Bounds   14   Ballet Idaho Academy, ID  
      Ruby Baneck   13   Artistic Edge Dance Centre, WI  
      Sofiia Stepantsova   12   A&A BALLET, IL  
      Sophia Sutaria   12   Elite Classical Coaching, TX  
      Summer Wellman   13   Elite Classical Coaching, TX  
      Valerie Jia   13   Academy of Palo Alto Performing Arts, CA  
                 
      TOP 24   MEN & WOMEN  
                 
      Annie Gustafson   14   Hinsdale Dance Academy, IL  
      Arabella Murphy   14   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
      Braelyn Smith   14   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Elaine Gottesman   14   Dayton Ballet School, OH  
      Emma Tian   14   N&D Ballet, MA  
      Fiorella Granda   14   PAM DANZA TEATRO, Ecuador  
      Grace Sullivan   12   Concept Pavielle, MN  
      Haydee Medari   14   Engage Dance Academy, IL  
      Isabel Schautz   14   Michigan Ballet Academy, MI  
      Jane Risler   14   Young Dance Academy, WI  
      Josephine Showalter   13   Minnesota Dance Theatre, MN  
      Leah Lau   12   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Leighton Metcalfe   13   Expressenz Dance Center, IN  
      Mari Million   14   Independent, IL  
      Maria Joana Bounds   14   Ballet Idaho Academy, ID  
      Monica Harrison   13   Illinois Dance Conservatory, IL  
      Nicoletta Deckys   14   Independent, IL  
      Nina Invencion   13   Momentum Performing Arts, IL  
      Ruby Baneck   13   Artistic Edge Dance Centre, WI  
      Samantha Beals   14   Independent, LA  
      Sofiia Stepantsova   12   A&A BALLET, IL  
      Sophia Sutaria   12   Elite Classical Coaching, TX  
      Summer Wellman   13   Elite Classical Coaching, TX  
      Valerie Jia   13   Academy of Palo Alto Performing Arts, CA  
                 
      CONTEMPORARY DANCE CATEGORY   MEN & WOMEN  
                 
  1ST PLACE   Ruby Baneck   13   Artistic Edge Dance Centre, WI  
  2ND PLACE   Finna Gao   14   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
  3RD PLACE (TIE)   Annika Kalgaonkar   13   Expressenz Dance Center, IN  
  3RD PLACE (TIE)   Arabella Yung   13   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
                 
      TOP 12   MEN & WOMEN  
                 
      Amirah Nealy   13   Expressenz Dance Center, IN  
      Annie Gustafson   14   Hinsdale Dance Academy, IL  
      Annika Kalgaonkar   13   Expressenz Dance Center, IN  
      Arabella Yung   13   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
      Ellie Winberry   12   Independent, OH  
      Emma Tian   14   N&D Ballet, MA  
      Finna Gao   14   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Madelyn Mcmillen   14   Expressenz Dance Center, IN  
      Mari Million   14   Independent, IL  
      Molly Nack   12   Artistic Edge Dance Centre, WI  
      Ruby Baneck   13   Artistic Edge Dance Centre, WI  
      Sophia Sutaria   12   Elite Classical Coaching, TX  
                 
      TOP 24   MEN & WOMEN  
                 
      Aino Kosobayashi   12   A&A BALLET, IL  
      Amirah Nealy   13   Expressenz Dance Center, IN  
      Annabelle Simmons   12   Expressenz Dance Center, IN  
      Annie Gustafson   14   Hinsdale Dance Academy, IL  
      Annika Kalgaonkar   13   Expressenz Dance Center, IN  
      Arabella Murphy   14   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
      Arabella Yung   13   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
      Ariana Cadwell-Dalipi   12   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
      Charlotte Holt   14   Expressenz Dance Center, IN  
      Ellie Winberry   12   Independent, OH  
      Elsa Peng   13   The Rock School for Dance, PA  
      Emma Kirk   12   Expressenz Dance Center, IN  
      Emma Tian   14   N&D Ballet, MA  
      Finna Gao   14   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Grace Sullivan   12   Concept Pavielle, MN  
      Leah Lau   12   The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
      Leighton Metcalfe   13   Expressenz Dance Center, IN  
      Lily Sawickij   14   A&A Ballet, NJ  
      Madelyn Mcmillen   14   Expressenz Dance Center, IN  
      Mari Million   14   Independent, IL  
      Molly Nack   12   Artistic Edge Dance Centre, WI  
      Ruby Baneck   13   Artistic Edge Dance Centre, WI  
      Sophia Sutaria   12   Elite Classical Coaching, TX  
      Yvanna G Mejia   12   Master Ballet Academy/School Main, AZ  
                 
      PRE-COMPETITIVE AGE DIVISION
      CLASSICAL DANCE CATEGORY   MEN & WOMEN  
                 
  1ST PLACE   Daisy Gullett   11   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
  2ND PLACE   Ariella Buznik   11   School of Russian Ballet-Duet, NY  
  3RD PLACE   Naomi Wang   10   Academy of Ballet and Arts, IL  
                 
      TOP 12   MEN & WOMEN  
                 
      Ariella Buznik   11   School of Russian Ballet-Duet, NY  
      Daisy Gullett   11   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
      Ekaterina Danishkina   11   Academy of Ballet and Arts, IL  
      Emma Lin   11   Principal Dance Academy, TX  
      Emma Ziemer   11   Artistic Edge Dance Centre, WI  
      Evelyn Wang   9   Academy of Ballet and Arts, IL  
      Isla Cook   11   Hudson Conservatory of Ballet, OH  
      Morgan Pondel   11   Engage Dance Academy, IL  
      Naomi Wang   10   Academy of Ballet and Arts, IL  
      Phoebe Wan Chin Or   10   Dancing Soma, ON  
      Ramona Young   10   Eclipse Performing Arts, IN  
      Yixuan Dong   10   Independent, WI  
                 
      CONTEMPORARY DANCE CATEGORY   MEN & WOMEN  
                 
  1ST PLACE   Jialu Wang   10   MorningStar Dance Academy, GA  
  2ND PLACE (TIE)   Savannah Jackson   11   Larkin Dance Studio, MN  
  2ND PLACE (TIE)   Lina Kim   10   Royal Principal Ballet, BC  
  3RD PLACE   Daisy Gullett   11   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
                 
      TOP 12   MEN & WOMEN  
                 
      Ani Shook   10   Expressenz Dance Center, IN  
      Daisy Gullett   11   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
      Ekaterina Danishkina   11   Academy of Ballet and Arts, IL  
      Emilia Padesky   11   Larkin Dance Studio, MN  
      Emma Ziemer   11   Artistic Edge Dance Centre, WI  
      James Cullen   10   Artistic Edge Dance Centre, WI  
      Jay Ramos-Rivera   11   Artistic Edge Dance Centre, WI  
      Jialu Wang   10   MorningStar Dance Academy, GA  
      Lina Kim   10   Royal Principal Ballet, BC  
      Naomi Wang   10   Academy of Ballet and Arts, IL  
      Savannah Jackson   11   Larkin Dance Studio, MN  
      Winona Rose   11   Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
                 
      ENSEMBLES
      SMALL ENSEMBLES      
                 
  1ST PLACE   Windy Sand       A&A BALLET – Main, IL  
                 
  2ND PLACE   Diana & Acteon , Pas De Deux       Summer Wellman and Joseph Kirillov, Elite Classical Coaching, TX  
                 
  3RD PLACE (TIE)   Held Until Hollow       Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
                 
      TOP 12      
                 
      Diana & Acteon , Pas De Deux       Summer Wellman and Joseph Kirillov, Elite Classical Coaching, TX  
                 
      Held Until Hollow       Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
                 
      Minuet       Braelyn Smith and Nikolas Parperides, The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
                 
      Naiad And The Fisherman Duet       Victoria International Ballet Academy, ON  
                 
      Nymphs From Walpurgis Night       West Suburban Ballet Conservatory, IL  
                 
      Padam Padam       The School of Cadence Ballet, ON  
                 
      Raymonda Panaderos       Victoria International Ballet Academy, ON  
                 
      Sensoria       Blanco Ballet Academy, IL  
                 
      Sirens       Illinois Dance Conservatory, IL  
                 
      The Dance Of The Cloud Fae       Anna Dance Academy, FL  
                 
      Transparency       Dance Academy of Libertyville, IL  
                 
      Windy Sand       A&A BALLET – Main, IL  
                 
      LARGE ENSEMBLES      
                 
  1ST PLACE   Falling Through Static       Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
                 
  2ND PLACE   Nie Boudite       Academy of Ballet and Arts, IL  
                 
  3RD PLACE   In Quiet Solace       Hudson Conservatory of Ballet, OH  
                 
      TOP 6      
                 
      Aun Aqui       West Suburban Ballet Conservatory, IL  
                 
      Carmen Fatte       Academy of Ballet and Arts, IL  
                 
      Falling Through Static       Odasz Dance Theatre, NY  
                 
      In Quiet Solace       Hudson Conservatory of Ballet, OH  
                 
      Nie Boudite       Academy of Ballet and Arts, IL  
                 
      Surrender       En Pointe Indiana Ballet, IN  
                 
      SPECIAL AWARDS
      OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHER AWARD      
                 
      Alexei Kremnev       Windy Sand  
      Andrea Astuto       Falling Through Static  
                 
      OUTSTANDING SCHOOL AWARD      
         
      Odasz Dance Theatre, NY