2020 YAGP Awards:
Precompetitive Division:
• Adelina Belusko (age 11), 6th grade at
McMurray Elementary School, Won the HOPE
Award (The highest honor)
• Kaitlin Natili (age 11), 6th grade at McMurray
Elementary School, received 1st in Contemporary
and 2nd in Classical
• Wellesley Miracle (age 11), 6th grade at
Mt. Lebanon Middle School, placed in the top 12
in Classical
directors of ballet schools
and companies. YAGP
has helped many dancers
pursue their dreams in
dance and start building
their professional career.
Many opportunities come
from this competition. “It’s
like the junior Olympics
of the ballet world,” says
Haidar. “YAGP is well-
respected worldwide.
Ballet companies from around the world
participate as judges, sponsors and
instructors for master classes.”
At YAGP, dancers compete in three age
groups, Precompetitive (9-11), Junior
(12-14) and Seniors (15-19). Dancers
may perform Solos, Pas De Deux, Duets,
Small Ensembles and Large Ensembles
in either the Contemporary or Classical
categories.
This year PBC had 15 dancers go to
YAGP, with many entering in multiple
categories.
PBC’s dancers going to New York
Finals to perform and compete include
Adelina Belusko, Sophia Belusko, Rayna
D’Alessandro, Peyton Erker, Alexa
Farinelli, Brooke McCarthy, Kaitlin Natili
and Helena Salvitti.
“In the Precompetitive (ages 9-11)
category of YAGP, the most coveted award
is the HOPE award,” continues Haidar
“The judges may give out one HOPE
award at each regional competition if
they see a dancer deserving of it, but they
are not required to offer it if not.” The
Hope Award is given for the best overall
performance in the Pre-Competitive Age
division. These awards are given to the
dancers who, by the consensus of the
YAGP jury panel, have exceeded all other
dancers in their age division in both the
Junior Division
• Sophia Belusko (age 13), 7th grade at Peters Twp.
Middle School, received 3rd in contemporary
• Rayna D’Alessandro (age 13), 8th grade, home
schooled, placed in the top 12 in Classical
• Anna Young (age 14), 8th grade Gideo Study
Center in Bridgeville, placed in the top 24
in Classical
Classical Ballet and Contemporary Dance
categories. It signifies that they believe
these dancers have the skills to become
exceptional dancers.
This year, PBC dancer Adelina Belusko
received the HOPE award. “I was so
surprised and happy to receive the HOPE
award this year,” says Belusko. “I was
practicing really hard and was hoping to
place at YAGP and I ended up winning the
HOPE award—it was so exciting!”
“Pennsylvania Ballet Conservatory
is unique in the nurturing, family-like
approach it provides our dancers and their
families. When you walk in our doors, you
can feel that,” says Damon. Our dancers
are a big family. PBC cares about its
dancers and has an interest in seeing them
succeed in dance—and in life.”
For more information, or to register,
visit pennballet.com. n
Senior Division
• Brooke McCarthy (16), Upper St. Clair High
School, placed top 12 in classical
• Abby Eslick (17), home schooled, placed top 12
in Classical
Large Ensemble Division
Received 3rd place in large ensemble division
• Adelina Belusko (age 11), 6th grade at
McMurray Elementary School
• Sophia Belusko (age 13), 7th grade at Peters Twp.
Middle School
• Peyton Erker (age 14), 9th grade at Peters Twp.
High School
• Alexa Farinelli (age 15), 9th grade at Peters Twp.
High School
• Rayna D’Alessandro (age 13), 8th grade,
home schooled
• Kaitlin Natili (age 11), 6th grade at McMurray
Elementary School
• Helena Salvitti (age 13), 7th grade at Peters Twp.
Middle School
PETERS TOWNSHIP
❘
APRIL/MAY 2020
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