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American Ballet Competition Coming to Austin on June 6th through 9th

The 2012 American Ballet Competition will visit Austin on June 6th through 9th, featuring talented young dancers, ages 11 to 19, from throughout the USA and abroad vying for prizes that include scholarships and traineeship with major ballet companies. Hosted by Ballet Austin, the competition will be held at the AustinVentures Studio Theater.

Contestants compete with ballet solos from the classical ballet repertory - such as Sleeping Beauty and Le Corsaire - and with modern contemporary works by today's eminent choreographers. Contestants are exposed to international guest teachers through master classes, coaching sessions and unmatched opportunities to be viewed by professional dance directors. Scheduled 2012 jury members will include:

- Michelle Martin, Associate Artistic Director, Ballet Austin;

- Robert Hill, Artistic Director, Orlando Ballet;

- Michael Owen, Artistic Director, Walnut Hill School of the Arts;

- Wendy Masterson, Dance Faculty, Interlochen School of the the Arts;

- Alice Alyse, Artistic Director, Joffrey Ballet South and West for Joffrey Ballet School NY; and

- Sharon Story, Dean & Ballet Mistress, Atlanta Ballet.

The American Ballet Competition attracts talented young ballet and contemporary dance students from throughout the United States and internationall,y as far away as Singapore. Scholarships and traineeships to some to the most prestigious dance schools in the United States and abroad are awarded to these future dance artists. Many young American Ballet Competition winners of traineeships are now currently engaged and working with national

companies.

Dinna Bjorn serves as this year's Guest Master Teacher. One of today's greatest master teachers, and former Artistic Director of the Finnish National Ballet and

Norwegian National Ballet, Bjørn is recognized throughout the dance world as one of the premier pedagogues of the Bournonville style and school. In addition to teaching classes Ms. Bjorn will conduct a special Bournonville session for dance teachers and competitors attending the American Ballet Competition.

Established in 2004 by artistic director Katherine C. Kersten and Kee Juan Han, the Institute for Dance Education Arts (IDEA) is the umbrella organization for the The American Ballet Competition. The organization's distinguished International Dance Teacher Seminars provide dance teachers unique educational opportunities to enhance and empower their teaching skills. The seminars, led by leading experts, examine major ballet styles and curriculums. Previous seminars have featured Gilbert Mayer of the Paris Opera Ballet Company and School, Dinna Bjorn, Former Artistic Director of Finnish and Norwegian National Ballet Companies and Lynne Wallis, Artistic Director of London's Royal Ballet.

The 2102 competition will include Ballet Solos (Age 11) on June 6th at 4:30 p.m., Contemporary Dance Solos (Age 11-19) on June 7th at 6:30 p.m., Ballet Solos (Age 12-19) Round I on June 8th at 6 p.m. and Ensembles (Age 11-19) at 8 p.m., and

Ballet Solos (Age 12-19) Round II on June 8th at 12:15 p.m. The Awards Ceremony and Performance will follow at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $35 for all four days, or $10 per competition, and will be available at the theater door entrance twenty minutes prior to each competiton.

The AustinVentures Studio Theater is located at 501 W. 3rd Street in downtown Austin. For more information, visit www.AmericanBalletCompetition.com.

(Photos of 2011 First Place winners by Jennifer N. Kersten)