AP PHOTOS: Talented young dancers compete in Chicago
Posted January 21, 2018 6:00 am
CHICAGO (AP) - Hundreds of ballet dancers between the ages of 9 and 19 have been auditioning in Chicago at the Youth America Grand Prix regional semifinals.
Chicago is one of more than 20 North American cities selecting finalists to compete in the finals in April at Lincoln Center in New York City. Semi-finals have also been held in several other countries, including China, Japan, Korea, France and Mexico, among others.
On Friday and Saturday in Chicago, the students attended workshops, competitions and dance classes. The organization awards more than $250,000 a year in scholarships to send young dancers to leading schools and dance companies to continue their training.
Alyssa Almekinder, center, and young ballet dancers warm up for the Youth America Grand Prix regional semifinals at Dominican University Performing Arts Center in River Forest, Ill., Friday, Jan. 19, 2018. (AP photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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Young ballet dancers watch Ava Opel's performing in the Youth America Grand Prix regional semifinals at Dominican University Performing Arts Center, Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, in River Forest, Ill. (AP photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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Carinne Forpanek performs in the Youth America Grand Prix regional semifinals at Dominican University Performing Arts Center, Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, in River Forest, Ill. (AP photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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Reese Longhini performs in the Youth America Grand Prix regional semifinals at Dominican University Performing Arts Center, Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, in River Forest, Ill. (AP photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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Alexis Schueller performs in the Youth America Grand Prix regional semifinals at Dominican University Performing Arts Center, Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, in River Forest, Ill. Chicago is one of more than 20 North American cities selecting finalists to compete in the finals in April at Lincoln Center in New York City. (AP photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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Tatiana Hagee performs in the Youth America Grand Prix regional semifinals at Dominican University Performing Arts Center, Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, in River Forest, Ill. (AP photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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Irina Dubrovska performs in the Youth America Grand Prix regional semifinals at Dominican University Performing Arts Center, Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, in River Forest, Ill. The organization awards more than $250,000 a year in scholarships to send young dancers to leading schools and dance companies to continue their training. (AP photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
Young ballet dancers warm up for the Youth America Grand Prix regional semifinals at Dominican University Performing Arts Center in River Forest, Ill., Friday, Jan. 19, 2018. On Friday and Saturday in Chicago, the students attended workshops, competitions and dance classes. (AP photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
Sophie Zilberman performs in the Youth America Grand Prix regional semifinals at Dominican University Performing Arts Center, Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, in River Forest, Ill. (AP photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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Young ballet dancers warm up for the Youth America Grand Prix regional semifinals at Dominican University Performing Arts Center in River Forest, Ill., Friday, Jan. 19, 2018. Chicago is one of more than 20 North American cities selecting finalists to compete in the finals in April at Lincoln Center in New York City. (AP photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
Kara Schenk performs in the Youth America Grand Prix regional semifinals at Dominican University Performing Arts Center, Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, in River Forest, Ill. (AP photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
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