The 2006 USA International Ballet Competition -- Jackson, Mississippi
Every four years for two weeks at the end of June and overlapping into July, dancers from around the world come to Jackson, Mississippi, to compete for prizes and study with master teachers. This Olympic-style competition has talented, well-trained young dancers vying for gold, silver and bronze medals, cash awards, scholarships and jobs.
To many, Jackson seems an unlikely location for an international ballet competition, but for those involved in the profession, it long ago became as accepted and recognized as Cannes, Spoleto and Sundance. In fact, most dancers simply refer to this event as "Jackson" rather than by its full title, The USA International Ballet Competition (USAIBC). In the last twenty years many other competitions have sprung up around the country, but "Jackson" is widely regarded as the most prestigious in the U.S.
One of the aspects of this competition that sets it apart from the others is what is known as Southern Hospitality. The local people are gracious and proud of their heritage. The community is thrilled to have the USAIBC, and they go all out. Dancers, past and present, say that the people of Jackson make this an especially memorable event in their lives.
Not as important, but a significant part of the two week competition are the numerous social events and parties. These formal affairs have long tables with soaring centerpieces, gourmet food or local specialties (such as red beans and rice) and live music. They provide a chance for the dancers as well as their coaches, teachers, families and audience members to mingle. Everyone involved comes away with new friendships forged from a single passion--ballet.
In 1975 Thalia Mara left New York to develop a professional ballet company in Jackson. When she heard that a group of prominent people in the dance world wanted to start an International Ballet Competition in the United States, she managed to use her considerable talents and influence to bring it to Jackson even though much larger cities were in contention. Sadly, this year, the 8th USAIBC, was the first to go on without her. She died in the fall of 2003. Bruce Marks, the Chairman of the Jury, remembered her with glowing words in the closing ceremonies.
On June 17th 121 dancers from 27 countries marched down the aisle of Thalia Mara Hall behind the flags of their nations accompanied by the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. The opening ceremony was only matched in grandeur and dignity by the closing ceremony on July 1st when the winners were presented their medals and awards. After three preliminary rounds, 6 juniors (aged 15 to 18) and 7 seniors (aged 19 to 26) had won medals. The Grand Prix for exceptional technique and artistry and the Women's Junior Gold Medal were not awarded in keeping with the competition's high standards. In fact, there were so many exceptionally talented men this year that all "the talk" among the audience members was that there must be more shared-medals. Unfortunately, it was not to be. The Master and Mistress of Ceremonies, John Meehan and Cynthia Harvey, mentioned that Balanchine had said "ballet is woman", but this year they think he may have changed his mind. These two charming and amenable hosts were warm, knowledgeable, appropriately humorous and very qualified to M.C. the entire two weeks' events.
One of the highlights of the closing program which featured performances of the medalists as well as the awarding of the medals and prizes was "Le Corsaire" pas de deux danced by Joseph Michael Gatti, a senior bronze medalist from the United States, and Adiarys Almeida Santana, a Cuban finalist. They are both soloists in the Cincinnati Ballet. Even though every performer exhibited strong technique and other fine qualities, these two dancers brought the audience to their feet with a rousing standing ovation. Their self-assured stage presence and eye-popping technical feats were astounding.
The 19-year-old Senior Men's Gold Medal winner, Daniil Simkin, of Germany, displayed charisma and charm as well as fine technique and flexibility in a contemporary solo, "Les Bourgeois" which had been danced in earlier years by his father. This well-mannered young man has been trained entirely by his mother in private classes. When asked what he liked about this competition, he replied the friendliness of the people and the weather. He enjoyed the heat and humidity because it is good for the body. He added that air conditioning sometimes gets too cold for ballet dancers.
Isaac Hernandez, the 16-year-old Junior Gold Medal winner from Mexico (but now is studying at The Rock School; Christine Shevchenko, Women's Junior Bronze Medalist also studies at The Rock School) said he was very grateful to his family for supporting him. His sister came with him to Philadelphia from Mexico when he was just 13-years-old. When questioned about how she has been a help to him, he replied, "she wakes me up in the morning." He said that he feels the competition in Jackson is like The World Cup for dancers. "The best of the best come here." It was what he had dreamed of all of his life, and he could hardly believe that he was actually there.
The American Senior Silver Medalist, 19-year-old Brooklyn Mack, made the audience gasp with his astonishing power and amazing elevation. His dream is to not only be the best dancer he can be but to also break down some of the barriers for African-American and minority dancers. This African American says he wants to let everybody know that it doesn't matter what you look like if you really want to dance.
A special treat for everyone was to see George Zoritch, the legendary danseur noble and star of The Ballet Russes, in attendance every afternoon and evening of the competition.
SENIOR DIVISION MEDALISTS
Men's Senior Gold Medal--
Daniil Simkin, Germany
Women's Senior Gold Medalist--
Misa Kuranaga, Japan
Men's Senior silver Medalist--
Brooklyn Mack, USA
Women's Senior Silver Medalist--
Jurita Dronina, Lithuania
Men's Senior Bronze Medalist--
Joseph Gatti, USA and
Masayoshi Onuki, Japan
Women's Senior Bronze Medalist--Yui Yonezawa, Japan
JUNIOR DIVISION MEDALISTS
Men's Junior Gold Medal--
Isaac Hernandez, Mexico
Women's Junior Gold Medal--
Not awarded
Men's Junior Silver Medal--
Denys Cherevychko, Ukraine
Women's Junior Silver Medal--Sae-Eun Park, South Korea
Men's Junior Bronze Medal--Jeffrey Cirio, USA
Women's Junior Bronze Medalist--Kayo Sasabe, Japan and
Christine Shevchenko, USA
Along with the medals, cash prizes are also awarded
In addition, special awards and scholarships were given to:
Best Junior Couple--
Mathias Dingman, USA and Sasha De Sola, USA
Best Senior Couple-- Davit Karapetyan, Armenia, and Vanessa Zahorian (non-competing partner)
Choreography Award-- Ben Lida for "September"
Robert Joffrey Award of Merit--Marija Kicevska, Senior, Macedonia
Jury Award of Encouragement--
Female: Francesca Dugarte, Junior, Venezuela
Caitlin Valentine, Senior, USA
Male: Ryo Izawa, Junior, Japan
Zherlin Ndudi, Senior, Ukraine
Tutu.Com Award-- Misa Kuranaga, Senior, Japan
TutusDivine Award-- Daniil Simkin, Senior, Germany
Contract with Miami City Ballet--Elena Kazakova, Junior, Russia and Carolyn Rose Ramsey, Senior, Canada
Ballet International Award--
Isaac Hernandez, Junior, Mexico
Great Hope Prize 2006--
Toshiro M. Abbley, Junior, USA
Janice Barringer is a ballet teacher and writer. She is the co-author of The Pointe Book and On Pointe. The latter is a combination of Thalia Mara's book on pointe training and also a look at the USAIBC in Jackson. Janice has produced three instructional DVD's on pointe training -- Beginner and Lower Intermediate, Intermediate and Advanced Pointe Work all taken from sample classes in The Pointe Book.
jbgballet@aol.com.