STUDENTS from the North Vancouver-based Vancouver Junior Professional Division, a ballet training centre for students ages 6-13, produced high-level results at a New York City dance competition.
Six students from VJPD qualified for the world finals this year and performed April 12-17 in Manhattan at the 2013 Youth America Grand Prix, the world's largest student ballet scholarship competition. According to a statement from the local school, the event is considered by some to be the junior ballet Olympics for students.
Results are as follows: Martina Prefontaine, 11, was awarded the pre-competitive age 9-11 gold medal for Canada. Natalie Thornley-Hall, 12, placed in the top 24 in the junior division ages 12-14, making it to the final round and performing a solo on the Lincoln Center Stage in front of 3,000 people. Mya Kresnyak, 11, placed in the top 12 in pre-competitive. Maya Milic, 7, was the youngest student to qualify and participate at the world finals this year. Four of the school's six students were offered scholarships to the Australian Ballet School. School director Kathryn Long was selected by the judging panel and awarded the 2013 Outstanding Teacher Award.
