The David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts and Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) presented Ballet’s Greatest Hits! on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013 at 8 p.m. in Carol Morsani Hall.

Ballet’s Greatest Hits! features star dancers from the world’s finest ballet companies, performing audience favorites for which they are known. YAGP has presented an annual gala in New York for years. This marks the second year of the breathtaking showcase in Tampa. This year’s Tampa gala performance, co-presented by YAGP and the Straz Center, will be greatly expanded to include more performers and representation from more international dance companies.

The gala was filmed by 5-time Emmy Award winner, Clemente D’Alesio, and will broadcast in theaters nationally. As part of the Emerging Pictures Ballet in Cinema series, the film will also feature unique interviews with artists and legendary figures from the dance world.

Performers Included: 
Stella Abrera – American Ballet Theatre
Ashley Bouder – New York City Ballet
Isabella Boylston – American  Ballet Theatre
Skylar Brandt – American Ballet Theatre
Taras Domitro – San Francisco Ballet
Antonio Douthit – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Matthew Golding – Dutch National Ballet
Marcelo Gomes – American Ballet Theatre
Greta Hodgkinson – National Ballet of Canada
Emily Kadow – San Francisco Ballet
Maria Kochetkova – San Francisco Ballet
Alicia Graf Mack – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Veronika Part – American Ballet Theatre
Joseph Phillips – American Ballet Theatre
Hee Seo – American Ballet Theatre
Daniel Ulbricht – New York City Ballet
Alejandro Virelles – Boston Ballet

Dances performed included excerpts from Don Quixote, Flames of Paris, Giselle, La Bayadere, Light as Air, The Nutcracker, Pas de Duke, Swan Lake, and Tarantella.