Celebrating a Milestone: Kamie Lightburn Hosts a Luncheon in Palm Beach to Kick Off Youth America Grand Prix’s 25th Anniversary

This year marks a significant milestone for the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), the largest global network of dance, as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. The festivities commenced with a chic luncheon hosted by Kamie Lightburn at the iconic Colony Hotel in Palm Beach. This event not only honored the quarter-century legacy of YAGP but also served as the prelude to the much-anticipated annual gala at Lincoln Center in New York City, scheduled for April 18.

The luncheon featured performances by Brady Farrar of American Ballet Theatre and Nayara Lopes from the Philadelphia Ballet, offering a preview of the extraordinary talent YAGP nurtures. These performances underscored YAGP’s crucial role in the dance world, providing a platform for young dancers to showcase their talents at an international level.

Youth America Grand Prix has established itself as a pivotal force in dance education and career development over the past 25 years. Through its comprehensive programs including scholarship auditions, master classes, alumni services, and public performances, YAGP has committed over $5 million in scholarships, supporting young dancers from diverse backgrounds. This commitment ensures that the most promising talents have access to leading dance schools worldwide.

Annually, more than 15,000 young aspirants between the ages of 9 and 19 participate in YAGP’s initiatives, demonstrating the extensive reach and impact of the organization. The results speak volumes: 450 YAGP alumni are currently members of 80 professional dance companies globally. Notably, over 100 of these dancers have achieved the rank of soloists and principal dancers in prestigious companies such as the American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and The Royal Ballet, among others.

As YAGP looks forward to its annual gala in New York City, the luncheon at the Colony Hotel was not just a celebration of past achievements but also a beacon for the future of dance. It highlights the ongoing importance of supporting arts education and providing platforms for young talent to flourish. The upcoming gala at Lincoln Center promises to be a spectacular showcase of the artistry and dedication that YAGP has fostered over the years, further solidifying its status as a cornerstone in the global dance community.

Youth America Grand Prix is the world’s largest ballet scholarship competition. YAGP’s 2024 season will culminate on April 17th (Final Round), April 18th (25th Anniversary Gala+Dinner), April 19th (Best of 25 Years Performance) at Lincoln Center, NYC. The Gala will be chaired by Paul Arnhold and Wes Gordon, Julia Arnhold, Elissa Brenner, Michael and Dennis Basso, Chelsea Clinton, Rebecca Cohen, Courtney Davis, Aly Gradone, Melanie Hamrick, Sarah Hoover, Marcella Hymowitz, Lilli Hymowitz, Carrie Kaufman, Lindsay Kraus, Candice Miller, Colby Mugrabi, Grace Pomeranc, Lilah Ramzi, Emily Reifel, Indre Rockefeller, Priya Shukla, Lesley Thompson Vecsler, Daniela W. Tisch, Barbara Tober, Virginia Wettlaufer Tomenson, Lina Wallach.

25 years ago, YAGP revolutionized the world of dance by changing the way the world’s dance schools and companies look for talent.  To scout talented young (ages 9 – 19) dancers of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, YAGP travels country-to-country, city-to-city, to conduct auditions and provide dancers with resources and visibility to institutions, offering school scholarships and company job contracts. Those young dancers have turned into today’s biggest stars, dancing lead roles on the most prestigious stages around the world.