The inaugural American Ballet Competition was held in Miami, Florida June 12 and 13. The winners were from among 61 young pre-professional ballet dancers competing in two divisions: Juniors 11-14 and Seniors 15-19. The competition, hosted by the New World School of the Arts, drew competitors from throughout the United States including Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Maine, Washington DC and Florida.

THE WINNING AWARDS WENT TO:

SENIORS

1st Place Award: Jessica Fernandez, 16
from The Art of Classical Ballet in Pompano Beach, Florida.
Ms. Fernandez received a cash award of $750 and scholarship to Atlanta Ballet’s Center for Dance Education in Georgia.

Best Male Dancer: Scott Spivey, 18
from North Carolina School of the Arts.
Mr. Spivey received a cash award of $500 and a scholarship to the Victor Ullate Ballet in Madrid, Spain.

2nd Place Award: Yarinet Restrepo, 16
from New World School of the Arts.
Ms. Restrepo received a cash award of $500 and a scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet School in New York.

3rd Place Award: Cameron Dawson, 15
from the Ballet Academy of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
Ms. Cameron received a cash award of $300 and a scholarship (including room & board) to Milwaukee Ballet School in Wisconsin.

JUNIORS

1st Place Award: Caroline Betancourt, 14
from the Miami Conservatory of Ballet in Florida.
Ms. Betancourt received a cash award of $500 and a scholarship to the Rock School for Dance Education, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

2nd Place Award: Kaitlyn Potts, 13
from Dancesensations Dance Center in Alexandria, Virginia. Ms. Potts received a cash award of $350 and a scholarship to Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan.

3rd Place Award: Charlotte Campagnuolo, 14
from Academy of Ballet Florida in West Palm Beach.
Ms. Campagnuolo received a cash award of $200 and a scholarship to North Carolina School of the Arts.

Additional Rewards

Lisa Balough, 18
North Carolina School of the Arts, Winston-Salem NC
Scholarship to American Ballet Theatre Summer School

Kaleena Burks, 16
The Art of Classical Ballet, Pompano Beach, FL
Scholarship to Austin Ballet Academy, Austin, Texas

Ariel Choi, 14
America’s Ballet School, Tampa, FL
Scholarship to Ballet Internationale, Indianapolis, Indian

Alex DiMattia, 18
Pennsylvania Ballet Academy, Norberth, PA
Scholarship to Cincinnati Ballet’s Otto M. Budig Academy

Casey Dalton, 19
Universal Ballet Academy, Washington DC
Scholarship to Florida Dance Festival, Miami, Florida

Malory Butler, 11
Artistic Dance Center, Miami, FL
Dancer Magazine “Dancer’s Choice Award” - $100 to Student - $50 to Teacher

Veronica Calle, 13
Orlando Ballet School, Florida
Dancer Magazine “Dancer’s Choice Award” - $100 to Student - $50 to Teacher Orlando Molina

Paula Nunez, Teacher
America’s Ballet School, Tampa, Florida
“Teacher of Excellence”

Magaly Suarez, Teacher
The Art of Classical Ballet, Pompano Beach, Florida
“Teacher of Excellence”