This week, over a thousand dancers travelled to New York to participate in Youth America Grand Prix’s high-stake finals.

Over the course of six days, young ballet dancers ages 9 to 19 filled the halls of SUNY Purchase for intense rounds of competitions and scholarship classes — the outcome of which could very well determine the trajectory of their professional careers. On Thursday, they joined some of ballet’s biggest names at Lincoln Center for the glimmering display of supernova talent at YAGP’s “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow” gala.

“It’s not just about competing, it’s about dancing,” said António Casalinho — already a medaled YAGP veteran at the age of 15 — in an interview with ALL ARTS. “I’m here to dance so I can show myself and find myself in this world.”

To continue reading please click on the button below…