Georgia Crawford (17) from Ballymena and eight other HPYB dancers performing ‘Initiation’ by Argyro Tsampazi, at the YAGP Paris Semi-Final in Nov 2023. They will be traveling to New York to compete in the Final Round of YAGP in April 2024. Photos by LK Studios, Inc.
High Points Youth Ballet CIC (HPYB) is thrilled to announce that nine of its dancers have been invited to New York City for the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) finals in April 2024.
Among them is Georgia Crawford, an aspiring professional ballerina from Ballymena.
YAGP is one of the most important dance events globally. It is the world’s largest student ballet scholarship audition and dance network, with its alumni dancing professionally in the most prestigious dance companies around the world.
Georgia Crawford (17) from Ballymena
Melissa Hamilton from Dromore, Co Down, is an alumna. She won the Grand Prix award in 2007 and following that joined The Royal Ballet, where she is now a First Soloist.
Under the artistic direction of Jacob Allison, HPYB is the first dance school from Northern Ireland to be invited to present a piece in the ensemble category at YAGP Finals. The ensemble, titled ‘Initiation’, was choreographed by HPYB’s Contemporary Dance teacher, Argyro Tsampazi.
This is a particularly special year to have received an invitation to Finals as YAGP will be holding its 25th Anniversary celebration as a part of it. Melissa Hamilton is among those who will perform in their ‘Best of 25 Years’ gala, which the young dancers will have the pleasure of seeing at Lincoln Center, one of the most important performing arts venues globally.
They will also have the opportunity to participate in masterclasses with world-leading ballet masters and to network with other top students.
In order to support the dancers in making this trip, HPYB is holding an online auction with many fabulous items on offer, including:
• Four tickets to HPYB's upcoming Spring Gala on the 1st and 2nd of June at Stranmillis Drama Theatre
• Tea for six from Sauce Catering
• Dinner for two at Six by Nico Belfast donated by Nico Simone
• A family photo shoot with Khali and Me Photography donated by Sofia de Vasconcelos
• An original painting donated by Suzanne Lyell of Prayers on the Side
• Autographed pointe shoes worn by Melissa Hamilton of The Royal Ballet donated by Hamilton Christou Productions, a new production company that will present Melissa Hamilton’s Grand Ballet Gala at the Grand Opera House Belfast on the 26th and 27th of October 2024
All proceeds will go towards supporting these nine dancers' journeys from NI to NY, which you can follow on social media @belfastballet. You can read more about the fundraiser and consider donating here:
Thank you for helping make dreams come true!