For gold, silver, and country: an array of international dancers shine at the USAIBC.

The 2006 USA International Ballet Competition surpassed previous years in virtuosity. For two weeks last summer 108 competitors from 24 countries, plus teachers, coaches, and jury, gathered in Jackson, MS, to meet and compete. Every act in the final gala night was outstanding, and the Corsaire pas de deux brought down the house with spectacular pyrotechnics. Senior bronze winner Joseph Gatti, a regular medalist at recent competitions, has grown in artistry. He not only delivered soaring split leaps and multiple pirouettes ending with a controlled extension, but he brought modesty and dignity to the role of the slave. His partner, Adiarys Almeida Santana (both are with Cincinnati Ballet), smiled brightly as she delivered rock-steady dazzling turns. If you thought Gillian Murphy was the only ballerina doing single-triple fouettes (I did), you're wrong. The Cuban Almeida, with her strength and assurance (see "On the Rise," Dec. 2005) is surely as much of a turn wizard as the best of them.

Other medalists included women's senior bronze winner Yni Yonezawa, from Japan, performing a sensual modern duet with Georgi Smilevski. She is the kind of dancer who, when simply walking across the stage, makes you feel something with each step. One of the Mississippi patrons remarked, "I have seen every competition since the beginning in 1979 and no dancer has ever touched my soul the way she did."

Daniil Simkin, a waif-like androgynous creature who won gold in the senior men's division, has astonishing agility. He brilliantly embodied the mercurial character in Les Bourgeois, a standard competition solo by Ben Van Cauwenbergh, and later transformed into an impeccable danseur noble in a Don Quixote solo. Misa Kuranaga (see "25 to Watch," Jan.), with her partner from Boston Ballet, Daniel Sarabia, gave a shining, full-bodied rendition of the Black Swan pas de deux. She, too, was on the mark with her fouettes, but it was the wholeness of her dancing being that lifted her into the gold (senior division).

The beautifully proportioned Sae-Enn Park from South Korea brought a fresh breeze with her Paquita variation. She radiated a joyful serenity that earned her the junior silver (and why not gold, one might ask).

The famous southern hospitality was everywhere, with 300 local families putting up the 108 contestants, accompanying dancers and coaches, and guest teachers for two weeks. USAIBC banners were flying front lamposts, and refreshments were served on the terrace of Thalia Mara Hall at intermission. Tire volunteer hostesses and hosts were full of stories of past luminaries like Robert Joffrey, Marge Champion, and Yuri Grigorovitch. Current luminaries included George Zoritch of Ballets Russes fame, and notable teachers Finis Jhung and Nan Giordano. Mississippi senator Trent Lott and his dance-loving wife Trisha were also in attendance.

Cynthia Harvey, who co-hosted the gala performance with John Meehan, said that every contestant in the third round was worthy of a medal. However the jury, who hailed from 13 countries, did not agree. They decided not to bestow the traditional Grand Prix or a gold in the junior women's division. And vet many contestants came away with contracts to companies like Miami City Ballet, Ballet San lose Silicon Valley, and The Washington Ballet.

Perhaps the most moving moment was seeing each group of medalists stand at attention when the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra played the national anthem of the gold medalist's country. When Isaac Hernandez, winner of the men's junior gold, stood with his hand near his heart, the Mexican flag was raised and the Mexican anthem was played. For Daniil Simkin, it was the German flag, and for Misa Kuranaga, Japanese. Before snuffing out the flame of the torch, chairman of the jury Bruce Marks reminded us that world peace depends on bringing together our children--"the world's children." For complete information, see www.usaibc.com.