High stakes and highlights.Even for the best, competitions are unnerving un·nerve tr.v. un·nerved, un·nerv·ing, un·nerves 1. To deprive of fortitude, strength, or firmness of purpose. 2. To make nervous or upset. . Standing in the wings, watching the competitor who precedes you knock out a perfect quadruple pirouette can shake you up--even if you felt as confident as Baryshnikov going in. For dancers who compete, steel nerves and an ability to be ready for anything are as important as months of rehearsal and years of classes. And yet, for all the challenges they present, competitions aren't all bad. A few of this year's winners talked to us about what they enjoy about competing--and how difficult it is to keep your grace under fire. For a list of other 2002 competition winners, including those from the USA International Ballet Competition The USA International Ballet Competition, or USA IBC, is one of the world's top competitions for the dance sport of ballet. Located in Jackson, Mississippi, this competition draws the top dancers from all over the world to compete for their country for a bronze, silver, or gold , New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. Dance Alliance, American Dance Awards, Dance Masters of America, Youth America Grand Prix Grand Prix n. pl. Grand Prix Any of several competitive international road races for sports cars of specific engine size over an exacting, usually risky course. , and many more, check out our Web site at www.dancemagazine.com. WINNERS TALK ABOUT COMPETING JOSEPH PHILLIPS Senior, North Carolina School of the Arts The North Carolina School of the Arts is a well known arts conservatory in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It was the first state-supported, residential school of its kind in the nation. 2002 awards: Men's Junior Gold Medal, USA International Ballet Competition; Men's Senior Gold Medal, Youth America Grand Prix; Gold Medal Prague Competition Best thing about competing: "Seeing all the other dancers--especially from different countries. You learn so much watching them. Performance styles are really different in Russia or China." Worst thing about competing: "That moment before you go on. You know that even if you mess up just a little, that could be it." Born: July 25, 1985. Began dancing seriously at age 10 Favorite variation: La Bayadere ba·ya·dere n. A fabric with contrasting horizontal stripes. [French bayadère, from Portuguese bailadeira, dancer, from bailar, to dance, from Late Latin Favorite dancer: Carlos Acosta SARAH LAMB Soloist, Boston Ballet 2002 awards: Women's Senior Silver Medal, USA International Ballet Competition Best thing about competing: The process, working on the details of solos, dissecting dis·sect tr.v. dis·sect·ed, dis·sect·ing, dis·sects 1. To cut apart or separate (tissue), especially for anatomical study. 2. them--the day-to-day drill." Worst thing about competing: "The nerves and pressure, the knowledge that you have to be perfect but that it's impossible. You have to deal with that." Born: October 17, 1980. Began dancing at age 6 Training: Boston Ballet School Favorite solo: "Black Swan" Favorite dancers: Boston Ballet's Larissa Ponomarenko and the Kirov's Altynai Asylmuratova DANNY TIDWELL American Ballet Theatre American Ballet Theatre, one of the foremost international dance companies of the 20th cent. It was founded in 1937 as the Mordkin Ballet and reorganized as the Ballet Theatre in 1940 under the direction of Lucia Chase and Rich Pleasant. Studio Company 2002 awards: Men's National title, New York City Dance Alliance; Men's Junior Silver Medal, USA International Ballet Competition Best thing about competing: "When the hard work pays off. That's really rewarding," Worst thing about competing: "When you start comparing yourself to others. When you're watching someone else, you have to remember to just enjoy the performance." Born: August 1, 1984. Began dancing at age 10 Training: The Kirov Academy Favorite solo: Anything contemporary Favorite dancer: Rasta Thomas MELISSA HOUGH n. 1. Same as Hock, a joint. v. t. 1. Same as Hock, to hamstring. [ imp. & p. p. os> r>; p. pr. & vb. n. os> n. 1. An adz; a hoe. v. t. 1. To cut with a hoe. Apprentice, BalletMet 2002 awards: Women's Senior Outstanding Dancer, New York City Dance Alliance; Jury Award of Encouragement, USA International Ballet Competition Best thing about competing: "Preparing--working your butt off to get the dance perfect." Worst thing about competing: "When they're disorganized dis·or·gan·ize tr.v. dis·or·gan·ized, dis·or·gan·iz·ing, dis·or·gan·iz·es To destroy the organization, systematic arrangement, or unity of. , And when there's negative energy from other competitors." Born: March 19, 1985. Began dancing seriously at age 11 or 12 Training: The Kirov Academy Favorite solo: You Haven't Done Nothin' choreographed by Mia Michaels |
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