The Youth America Grand Prix returned to Australia for its second annual semi-final this September, running from 12–17 September 2025. Hosted at The Concourse in Chatswood, Sydney, the event formed part of the international YGP 2026 season and drew dancers from across Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and even Canada.
The Concourse Theatre provided a fitting stage, with its welcoming auditorium offering audiences the chance to savour every detail of the performances, which were also live-streamed for audiences across the world. Nearby, the Bangarra Studios at Sydney Wharf hosted a full program of masterclasses throughout the week. From the youngest pre-competitive entrants to the senior final rounds, the event became a full immersion in performance and training.
The week concluded with an Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 17 September in the Concert Hall, where dancers gathered not only to celebrate results but also to applaud one another.
Robert Parker, Artistic Director of Elmhurst Ballet School, led the announcements, reminding the audience that “YAGP, and the dancers who participate in it, continue to change the world through dance.” All participating dancers were invited onto the stage to curtsey to the audience, to be recognised for their efforts and personal achievements, before filing into the auditorium. The process took more than twenty minutes, a testament to the sheer number of competitors in this year’s event. Once completed, Parker asked every dancer to stand, turn to the balcony, and applaud the audience in return, creating a moment of connection that exemplified the generosity of the YAGP spirit.
The adjudicators included Ivan Gil-Ortega, Megan Connelly, Ashley McNeil, Damien Welch, Sarawanee Tanatanit, Leanne Benjamin, Miwako Kubota, Grace Holmes, Larissa and Gennadi Saveliev, and Kenta Kura. Ms Benjamin, one of Australia’s most celebrated ballet figures, charmed the auditorium with a particularly gracious curtsey of her own.
The presentations showcased both longstanding institutions and rising names, with renowned studios well represented alongside smaller schools whose dancers also rose into the top ranks. Whether stepping out as groups, pairs, or soloists, the sense of camaraderie that flowed across the stage was a highlight of the event.
Among the many schools represented, Dance North Academy enjoyed a strong showing, with students placing across both classical and contemporary sections. Reflecting on the week, Co-Director Adam Blanch said: “Once again, I couldn’t be prouder of my students, who performed so beautifully throughout the past week at YAGP. The opportunities YAGP offers young artists are truly remarkable—not only through prizes, but also the extraordinary scholarships that open doors to their future.”
For Luke Antcliffe, his win was a culmination of a week of learning: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at YAGP this year. Larissa and the YAGP team were so lovely and encouraging and made the process so fun and seamless. I’m so grateful for all the opportunities that I have gained.”
India-Rose Macé added: “This year’s YAGP was such an incredible experience. I’ve learnt so much and am so honoured for all the opportunities that have come out of this event. I truly learnt so much in the Masterclasses and had the most amazing time.”
The McDonald College also saw several of its students recognised during the semi-final, highlighting the depth of talent within the school. Jane Kesby, Head of Ballet, reflected on the value of the experience: “Oliver (Austin) had the most wonderful experience with YGP and is thrilled to have been placed in both his contemporary and classical ballet sections. He is extremely grateful for the opportunities he has been awarded and is very thankful for all the support he has received from his family, friends and teachers.”
Adding to the voices of gratitude and celebration was En Pointe Studios in Melbourne, with Ballet Master and Head Coach Kurt Dwyer-Williams reflecting on both their students’ success and the broader role YAGP plays in shaping the next generation of dancers. He said "We are incredibly proud of our students who represented us with excellence at the YGP Sydney Semi-Final ... Youth America Grand Prix continues to set an exceptional standard, providing young dancers with an inspiring platform to grow, connect, and be seen on an international stage. We are so grateful to our entire community, our dedicated teachers, supportive parents, and everyone behind the scenes whose tireless efforts and encouragement make achievements like this possible. The YPG is shaping the future of dance and redefining how dancers must learn and prepare to take the next step in their vocational training. Now, more than ever, it is vital that the teachers of tomorrow are equipped to meet the challenges of guiding student & helping them develop the skills and knowledge needed to present their best selves in class, in variations on stage, and in a large group competition setting. Our team is thoroughly enjoying this journey and the exciting direction it is taking us."
At the close of the ceremony, Parker thanked YAGP founders Larissa and Gennadi Saveliev, alongside sponsors Bloch, Discount Dance, Elevate Dancewear, Sylvia, Tiger Friday, AK Dancewear, and Harlequin. His final words captured the essence of the event:
“Remember, the only competition that matters is the one with yourself. As long as you continue to dance, you continue to win.”
Youth Grand Prix Australia – Results
Pre-Competitive Division
Classical – Top 12
- 18 – Heidi Kam (10), Amanda Bollinger Dance Academy – Australia
- 29 – Constance Jing Yang (11), Queensland Dance Centre – Australia
- 33 – Lauren Li (11), Dance North Academy – Australia
- 36 – Li-En Liesel Chen (11), Firstpointe School of Dance – Singapore
- 37 – Jackie Radovanovic (11), Kimberley Woodger Dance Academy – NZ
- 41 – Annie Yun’an He (11), Mt Eden Ballet Academy – New Zealand
- 45 – Chloe Li (11), Northern School of Performing Arts – New Zealand
- 46 – Keira Caird (11), Mt Eden Ballet Academy – New Zealand
- 47 – Annie Li (11), WE Dance School – New Zealand
- 57 – Matthew Probert (11), Independent – Australia
- 64 – Ava Leiato (11), Convergence Dance Studios – New Zealand
- 71 – Janelle En Ting Tang (11), Yan Ballet Academy – Singapore
Classical – Placings
- 1st Place – Annie Li (11), WE Dance School – New Zealand
- 2nd Place – Lauren Li (11), Dance North Academy – Australia
- 3rd Place – Janelle En Ting Tang (11), Yan Ballet Academy – Singapore
Contemporary – Top 12
- 10 – Olivia Luna Corre (10), Canterbury Ballet & Dance Academy – NZ
- 21 – Willow Campbell (10), Bergen Lavelle Classical Coaching – Australia
- 28 – Abigail Halim (11), Creative Academy of Performing Arts – Australia
- 33 – Lauren Li (11), Dance North Academy – Australia
- 41 – Annie Yun’an He (11), Mt Eden Ballet Academy – New Zealand
- 43 – Aria Mao (11), En Pointe Studios – Australia
- 45 – Chloe Li (11), Northern School of Performing Arts – New Zealand
- 47 – Annie Li (11), WE Dance School – New Zealand
- 55 – Frida Macrae-Kurmayr (11), Mt Eden Ballet Academy – New Zealand
- 58 – Isabelle La (11), WSDA – Australia
- 64 – Ava Leiato (11), Convergence Dance Studios – New Zealand
- 71 – Janelle En Ting Tang (11), Yan Ballet Academy – Singapore
Contemporary – Placings
- 1st Place – Lauren Li (11), Dance North Academy – Australia
- 2nd Place – Annie Yun’an He (11), Mt Eden Ballet Academy – New Zealand
- 3rd Place – Janelle En Ting Tang (11), Yan Ballet Academy – Singapore
Junior Division
Junior Classical Women – Top 12
- 152 – Claudia Westrup (13), The National Ballet School – Australia
- 161 – Celeste Robinson (13), En Pointe Studios – Australia
- 165 – Lila Forkes (13), Independent – Australia
- 187 – Maci Smith (13), Classical Coaching Australia – Australia
- 190 – Ellie Liao (13), Mt Eden Ballet Academy – New Zealand
- 202 – Shayaana Shah-Carvey (13), The Perth School of Ballet – Australia
- 219 – Lorelei Gavan (14), Independent – China
- 238 – Ling Ren (14), Independent – China
- 239 – Xirui Xu (14), Queensland Dance Centre – Australia
- 249 – Sophie Simonds (14), Amanda Bollinger Dance Academy – Australia
- 258 – Jessica Ding (14), Amanda Bollinger Dance Academy – Australia
- 260 – Harriet Mak (14), Medhi Ballet Coaching – New Zealand
Junior Classical Women – Placings
- 1st Place – Ling Ren (13), Independent – China
- 2nd Place – Claudia Westrup (13), The National Ballet School – Australia
- 3rd Place (tie) – Xirui Xu (14), Queensland Dance Centre – Australia
- 3rd Place (tie) – Sophie Simonds (14), Amanda Bollinger Dance Academy – Australia
Junior Classical Men – Placings
- 1st Place – Finlay Hunter (13), Papilio Atelier & Mainly Dance Studios – New Zealand
- 2nd Place – Oliver Austin (14), The McDonald College – Australia
- 3rd Place – Watson Faulkner (14), The McDonald College – Australia
Junior Contemporary Women – Top 12
- 123 – Kyra Kenihan (12), Whitney Schofield Dance Academy – Australia
- 128 – Victoria Harper (12), JWDA – Australia
- 131 – Cleo Bell (12), Dance North Academy – Australia
- 134 – Lucy Miller (12), L’academie – Australia
- 138 – Suzanne Liu (12), Sonja Dene Dance Studios – Australia
- 165 – Lila Forkes (13), Independent – Australia
- 187 – Maci Smith (13), Classical Coaching Australia – Australia
- 195 – Makai Lewis-Rees (13), Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching – Australia
- 200 – Shelby McAuliffe (13), Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching – Australia
- 209 – Isabella Davie (13), The Academy Australia – Australia
- 262 – Ruby Miethke (14), Classical Coaching Australia – Australia
- 282 – Miru Jung (14), The Graduate College of Dance – Australia
Junior Contemporary Women – Placings
- 1st Place – Maci Smith (13), Classical Coaching Australia – Australia
- 2nd Place – Lila Forkes (13), Independent – Australia
- 3rd Place – Suzanne Liu (12), Sonja Dene Dance Studios – Australia
Junior Contemporary Men – Placings
- 1st Place – Oliver Austin (14), The McDonald College – Australia
- 2nd Place – Finlay Hunter (13), Papilio Atelier & Mainly Dance Studios – New Zealand
- 3rd Place (tie) – Winton Chua (14), Nova City Ballet – Australia
- 3rd Place (tie) – Jamyang Olthang (14), Ballet Express – Australia
Senior Division
Senior Classical Women – Top 12 Finalists
- 313 – Florence Hanks-Ruttyn (15), NSW International Ballet Academy – Australia
- 319 – Nam Nam (15), Supreme Dance Academy – Hong Kong
- 320 – Anna Stephensen (15), Dance North Academy – Australia
- 344 – Scarlett Graham (15), En Pointe Studios – Australia
- 345 – Femka Murphy Vormer (15), Classical Coaching Australia – Australia
- 349 – Diana Shtengelova (15), Independent – Australia
- 356 – Tamison Soppet (15), Convergence Dance Studios – New Zealand
- 357 – Frances Ng (15), Amanda Bollinger Dance Academy – Australia
- 364 – India-Rose Macé (15), Dance North Academy – Australia
- 369 – Siena Leishman (15), Convergence Dance Studios – New Zealand
- 384 – Maya Kingsmill (16), Tanya Pearson Academy – Australia
- 472 – Sophia Hudson (19), Tanya Pearson Academy – Australia
Senior Classical Women – Placings
- 1st Place – Tamison Soppet (15), Convergence Dance Studios – New Zealand
- 2nd Place – Maya Kingsmill (16), Tanya Pearson Academy – Australia
- 3rd Place – Florence Hanks-Ruttyn (15), NSW International Ballet Academy – Australia
Senior Classical Men – Top 6
- 481 – Jiaze Yue (15), Tanya Pearson Academy – Australia
- 482 – Haruku Hoshi (15), Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching – Australia
- 484 – Lewis Nicholson (15), Nova City Ballet – Australia
- 488 – Benjamin Groen (16), Papilio Atelier – New Zealand
- 489 – Taaniko Lyon-Elzen (17), Independent – New Zealand
- 490 – Tomihiko Arai (17), Amanda Bollinger Dance Academy – Australia
Senior Classical Men – Placings
- 1st Place – Lewis Nicholson (15), Nova City Ballet – Australia
- 2nd Place – Benjamin Groen (16), Papilio Atelier – New Zealand
- 3rd Place – Jiaze Yue (15), Tanya Pearson Academy – Australia
Senior Contemporary Women – Top 12
- 304 – Chloe Male (15), Perth Classical And Contemporary Coaching – Australia
- 313 – Florence Hanks-Ruttyn (15), NSW International Ballet Academy – Australia
- 328 – Naomi Hamilton (15), Perth Classical And Contemporary Coaching – Australia
- 331 – Elsie Ord (15), North Shore Dance Academy – Australia
- 344 – Scarlett Graham (15), En Pointe Studios – Australia
- 346 – Ivy Maughan (15), Bergen Lavelle Classical Coaching – Australia
- 350 – Madeline Murphy (15), Dance North Academy – Australia
- 357 – Frances Ng (15), Amanda Bollinger Dance Academy – Australia
- 364 – India-Rose Macé (15), Dance North Academy – Australia
- 375 – Charlotte Haynes (16), Rogerson College of Classical And Contemporary Dance – Australia
- 377 – Wendy Tian (16), Mt Eden Ballet Academy – New Zealand
- 394 – Kayla McKinnon (16), The Academy Australia – Australia
Senior Contemporary Women – Placings
- 1st Place – Naomi Hamilton (15), Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching – Australia
- 2nd Place – India-Rose Macé (15), Dance North Academy – Australia
- 3rd Place – Kayla McKinnon (16), The Academy Australia – Australia
Senior Contemporary Men – Top 6
- 482 – Haruku Hoshi (15), Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching – Australia
- 484 – Lewis Nicholson (15), Nova City Ballet – Australia
- 486 – Luke Antcliffe (16), Dance North Academy – Australia
- 488 – Benjamin Groen (16), Papilio Atelier – New Zealand
- 490 – Tomihiko Arai (17), Amanda Bollinger Dance Academy – Australia
- 494 – Harrison Woodcock (18), The Graduate College of Dance – Australia
Senior Contemporary Men – Placings
- 1st Place – Luke Antcliffe (16), Dance North Academy – Australia
- 2nd Place – Haruku Hoshi (15), Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching – Australia
- 3rd Place – Harrison Woodcock (18), The Graduate College of Dance – Australia
Ensemble
Top 6 – Ensembles
- 501 – The Sleeping Beauty Bluebird PDD, Papilio Atelier – New Zealand
- 502 – Harlequinade Pas de Deux, Ballet Express – Australia
- 505 – Paint It Black, Rogerson College of Classical and Contemporary Dance – Australia
- 508 – Sacrifice, Dance North Academy – Australia
- 512 – Sequence, Rogerson College of Classical and Contemporary Dance – Australia
- 513 – Les Épines Blanches, The Graduate College of Dance – Australia
Winners – Ensemble
- 1st Place – The Sleeping Beauty Bluebird Pas de Deux, Papilio Atelier – New Zealand
- 2nd Place – Paint It Black, Rogerson College of Classical and Contemporary Dance – Australia
- 3rd Place – Harlequinade Pas de Deux, Ballet Express – Australia
- 3rd Place – Sacrifice, Dance North Academy – Australia
Scholarships and International Opportunities
Beyond the prizes and podiums, one of the most remarkable outcomes of the Sydney event was the sheer number of scholarships awarded. Students received invitations from some of the world’s most prestigious schools and academies, affirming both the calibre of the competitors and the extraordinary reach of YAGP in opening doors to international training. Among the institutions extending opportunities were:
- Academy of Dance, University of Music and Performing Arts Mannheim
- Alberta Ballet School, Canada
- The Australian Ballet School
- Hochschule für Musik und Theater München (Ballet Academy, University of Music and Performing Arts Munich)
- Staatliche Ballettschule Berlin (Berlin State Ballet School)
- Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris
- Dutch National Ballet Academy
- Elmhurst Ballet School
- European School of Ballet
- John Cranko Schule, Stuttgart
- Tetsuya Kumakawa Ballet Academy
- Nacho Duato Academy
- Palucca Hochschule für Tanz Dresden (Palucca University for Dance Dresden)
- Pôle National Supérieur de Danse Rosella Hightower
- Académie Princesse Grace, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
- The Royal Ballet School
- American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
- Houston Ballet Academy
- Joffrey Ballet School
- Nashville Ballet School
- The Rock School for Dance Education
- San Francisco Ballet School
- International Contemporary Ensemble: Bolero X Production, Tokyo, Japan
- International Summer School, Malta
- Valencia Andanza Summer School
- YGP Dance LAB