the TRUTH about yagp… | my yagp experience

Hey y’all!
I am super pumped to be sharing yet another video this week, and I think this one will be SUPER helpful for any of my fellow ballerinas out there. The Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) competition can seem like an overwhelming and daunting thing to sign up for, but take it from a seasoned vet: YOU’VE GOT THIS!
Although I don’t agree with some aspects of YAGP when it comes to marketing strategy and their use of social media platforms, I totally still think that trying it out for yourself is such a rewarding thing. If you have any questions that are bouncing around in your head, please leave them below and I will be happy to respond.
Have a wonderful day:)
- Anna B

[@arlenadietz4344]

My daughter did a contemporary solo and a contemporary duo. She liked that part...but with the master classes she had all the other students be in their little groups and she said she got side eyed and when she said hello they would ignore her. She is 11 and that really hurt her. Ruined her whole experience since she is really a kind person and to be treated so rudely was a shock.

[@the_annab]

It is heartbreaking to hear when these things happen, however, for her being such a young age I hope you can let her know that her positivity will pay off one day! Among all of the dancers present, being the one kind is hard, but rewarding. I am also happy to hear that she enjoyed contemporary!

[@melodysafo5437]

Did you pull her out? I would have!

[@onedance1374]

@@the_annab omg! I want you to try my ballet secrets, because I know you’re going to LOVE them.

[@onedance1374]

Where can I send a link?

[@YAGP]

Hello! We are so glad to hear that your daughter enjoyed performing at YAGP! 😊 That is unfortunate to hear that others did not reciprocate with the same kindness that your daughter showed. We encourage her to hold on to her positive spirit and we hope to see her again soon at YAGP ❤

[@Aangie1825]

I just participated in the last YGP México, and I ended in top 12 and finalist, it was TERRIFYING. It's my first competition and I was terribly nervous, but I hope I win something at least LMAO

[@the_annab]

Congratulations! I wish you luck on future YAGP endeavors.

[@YAGP]

Congratulations on your first YAGP competition and for placing in top 12!💖

[@kellylannin9726]

What a very healthy outlook on the YAGP experience! I am so proud of you and I don't even know you! Your video will surely help so many and I plan to share with my students. You are a lovely dancer and I wish you all the best! Keep dancing! We need more people in the dance world with your attitude!

[@the_annab]

Thank you! When I posted this video I had no expectations that anyone would see it, and now I am getting so many kind messages like yours that make me excited that so many people feel the same way. I hope your students enjoy!

[@Forza44bro]

My sister did YAGP and she spent ages training, trying to perfect her variations, she was beating herself up every time she got something wrong but she was confident that she was good enough to get into the top 25. When she got there I expected her to do exactly how she wanted to and she ended up coming home in 12th in contemporary solo. She said after that she shocked herself and said that shed never danced so well before. But when you watch the top kids, they dance like there on another level, everything is just perfect and they make it look so easy.

[@rachelhaag7609]

I'm a mom of 2 ballerinas and I want to thank you for a lovely, healthy, positive video. My oldest daughter hopes to do YAGP next year and I think this will be tremendously helpful for her.

[@the_annab]

Thank YOU for being an amazing mama of ballerinas. I also want to wish your daughter the best with her first YAGP experience! I do hope that this video helps. :)

[@YAGP]

We're so happy to hear that your daughter is interested in participating in YAGP, we hope to see her next season!😊 Feel free to reach out to us with any questions!❤

[@heatherarneson3814]

Love your perspective!!! So important to enjoy the experience and not get stuck in the comparison/competition game! With the arts in general!

[@the_annab]

I am glad to hear you share the same perspective :)

[@YAGP]

We agree! YAGP is a celebration of dance, and it is for all dancers to enjoy! 💖

[@YAGP]

We loved seeing this video about your YAGP experience and hope it was helpful to other dancers out there! 🥰

[@the_annab]

Thank you! I appreciate your comment, and hope that both dancers and the organization can continue to work towards creating a fun and safe atmosphere for every dancer. The opportunity that you present us students to experience the ballet world is incredibly eye-opening!

[@sailordaimp2397]

I really wish I found this video a few days sooner. I just participated in my first ever YAGP yesterday, and was feeling really upset about my Fairydoll performance. I believe my issue was definitely less nerves and more that I overworked myself before performing, therefore tiring out my feet and causing myself to slip a bit. Still, I really appreciate you for putting this stuff out there for people to see!

[@the_annab]

Thank you for sharing! I hope that for your first time it was generally positive, and if nothing else, a great learning experience. I wish you the best of luck on future YAGP endeavors. :)

[@YAGP]

Congratulations on participating in your first YAGP! What an amazing accomplishment-- you should be so proud! 😊🫶 We hope to see you next year on our stage❤

[@adharalynx5356]

Hi Anna! I just came across your channel and as a 52 year old getting back to dance again I love your outlook and the way you enjoy ballet! I am doing it just to challenge and enjoy myself.

[@the_annab]

How wonderful! Thank you for sharing, and I wish you all the best on your dance endeavors.

[@juliecassidy7353]

I’m doing the same at 50 yoa. I wasn’t invited to any competitions nor to dance in a professional company other than for the nutcracker as a mouse. But when I think of the dancers that went to that level from my pre professional company they fit a mold of 1. Pretty 2. Longer legs 3. Pleasant face while dancing. 4. Skinny Hope that helps younger dancers out there with dreams that may or may not be realized.

[@katmurphy8548]

Thank you for that call out at the end! I'm trying to find solos of dancers who are not top top of competitors to finally get my advanced dancers to go for the experience and not be so so so scared of it but i can't find any online!!

[@steve-o981]

Hope this gets lots of views and that other young dancers take your smart and wise advice to heart.

[@the_annab]

Thank you for commenting this. It is an important message I truly wish more dancers could hear!

[@YAGP]

We agree! Young dancers coming to YAGP could surely use this insightful video💖

[@classicalcaroline9122]

in the end, it’s a fun experience but not worth the money. i competed at one of the hardest regionals in the US with many MANY large studios there so if you’re teacher isn’t friends with one of the judges, then you have a pretty good chance of not placing. but that was just a few regionals and the finals

[@summeraiello9170]

I think I know which one you’re talking about.

[@dance4melife227]

I currently do have teachers in my studio that are friends with the judges and I can tell that my scores from when I was an independent went up significantly when I went to that studio.

[@katherinedobias7499]

How much did you pay?

[@the_annab]

This year it was a $110 registration fee, and then $115 for each solo you do…and then the cost of travel! Hopefully this helps Katherine :)

[@russianschoolofballet1012]

Well said Anna! Thank you for sharing your experience and opinion.

[@Степан-д6ш7б]

I want to share my experience with yagp because I see comments about unfair refereeing and low chances to win if you don't have the support of the jury. I am not writing this to brag, I want those reading this now to know that there are always opportunities! Many of people did not even know about my country, I did not have any support in the jury, I was also the only independent participant as well as the author of the video, and it was very nervous! I considered my chances of winning small, but in the end I became one of the winners. I do not deny the fact that when you have friendship with the members of the jury, it is certainly easier for you. I also had contests where I didn't win and understood the politics of the contest, but I also have positive experience from the competitions. And it is important to hear for those who are now deciding to take part in competition. Experiences in your life will always be different, but they will never remain untouched. You have to try, fight and win! Thanks for this great video, I hope it helps a lot of people ❤

[@the_annab]

Thank you for your comment! I appreciate you sharing your positive experience as it is super important to know that competitions are not always about politics. Every experience will be different, I just hope this video can help those feeling discouraged about not winning who are struggling with confidence. Congrats to you!

[@ourballettheaterlife5242]

We take a small school with younger kids every year. We don’t have the technical prowess yet that some schools exhibit (our group dances have had an age average of only 7-9 years old), but we still managed to snag Top 12 in Dallas last year. Our girls are really sheltered from the rest of the dance world and this is pretty much their only yearly venture into it. They have been surprised by the attitude of some other dancers there and feel like others aren’t really happy to be there or enjoying the experience. I think it’s because we don’t put an emphasis on winning when we go (although we still push them hard to do well) but rather enjoying such a large scale experience and telling them that just dancing on a YAGP stage is great honor and something they will remember for the rest of their lives. I think that helps them enjoy it. As a small school with only a couple teachers, we also love the opportunity for them to take master classes with some amazing teachers as they don’t get a lot of variety with us (but we are VERY close with them). All in all, we have enjoyed our past experiences and will be heading to KC in February. This is our first time moving from Dallas to KC so we are curious if it will feel different.

[@the_annab]

Hello! I am so happy to hear that you have had a positive experience. I really enjoy hearing that you are close with your dancers, and appreciate that you prepared them well on what mindset to have. I have not participated in KC yet, but will be heading there for the first time in the near future as well. I would say that as long as you encourage them to continue being positive dancers and to enjoy the masterclasses and the exposure, you will again have an amazing experience! If you see me anywhere there, feel free to say hi :)

[@ourballettheaterlife5242]

@@the_annab That is great encouragement! In reality YAGP is what you make it! Maybe we’ll see you there! ❤️

[@uniplays-onbreak]

I am currently at my first YAGP in Chicago, and I am absolutely TERRIFIED. But luckily I have some other girls my age from my studio also competing. If you are going with a studio (in my experience) I would say the most stressful parts are groups, no solos. Have a good YAGP adventure everyone!

[@the_annab]

Have fun!

[@YAGP]

Congratulations on making it to your first YAGP event! ❤ So great that you have your studio there to support you!

[@bananachocolatepudding5]

Any tips for going to YAGP as in independent dancer? I did YAGP Last year with my studio but this year I'll be going as an independent and I honestly don't know what to expect.

[@J47-v9m]

I got into finals this year! I did not expect this but I got your advice thank you

[@the_annab]

Congratulations!! Wishing you the best of luck.🌟

[@KhloeMS]

That’s so cool! My teacher was at the YAGP and was participating

[@lilaschwarz3109]

I am competing in yAGP this season and I am so excited

[@sidewayscake6134]

Good luck :)

[@i-juchen1400]

Could you share your experience about how long before the competition date you booked the studio? And, how do you plan for the transportation among the studio, the theater, and the hotel ?with or without the costumes and makeup?Thank you!😊

[@emmabontrager3287]

i was at the Indy one too that year :)))

[@Ava_ballet8]

it's my first YAGP this year and im choreographing my contemporary piece! any tips? also whats frowned upon at YAGP?

[@the_annab]

Hi Ava! Choreographing your own piece is first of all so rewarding. Congrats! My biggest tip to you would be to not worry about trying to fit a mold or the YAGP ‘image’. Everyone has their own strengths, and getting to choreograph your own piece allows you to showcase those strengths that make you feel your best on stage. The only thing ‘frowned upon’ at YAGP is not giving it your full effort. When it comes to your choreography, create something that inspires you, showcases your strengths, and let’s originality shine on stage. You will do great! Let me know if you would like any other tips as you move through the process. Much love! 💕

[@Ava_ballet8]

@@the_annab thank you so much i really appreciate it♥

[@abigailbayes2374]

your last variation was super pretty I think it was Fairy Doll right?

[@the_annab]

Thank you! It was actually the Sleeping Beauty Act III variation, which is very similar to Fairy doll :)

[@ameliegrace9679]

Hi I have a lot of questions! So are the Semi-Finals like the first round? Also do you have to audition to attend one of the semi finals? And do you get placed like (1st, 2nd, 3rd, top 12, top 24 etc.) in the semi finals or only in the Finals? And lastly are the finals only in New York or at different locations?

[@the_annab]

Hello! Thanks for your questions. The Semi-finals are the first round and are non-audition, you can just sign up! They always place top 12 and 1st 2nd 3rd at every semifinal and the finals, and they will sometimes do top 24 at bigger locations. If in the top 12 or 24 you don’t know exactly what place, however, just that you are in that range of scores. The finals are only held in one location and used to always be in NYC, but since COVID the finals have been in Tampa. Let me know if this helps :)

[@ameliegrace9679]

Thank you so much! I’m hoping to compete in a year or so, also if you get into the finals would you have to do a different Variation than you did on the semi finals?

[@the_annab]

Nope! You can do the same one, and most people do. There is no rules against changing though if you decide to do so!

[@ameliegrace9679]

Thank you so much! One last question does The Grand Prix award, Prix award and Hope award mean first place or what does that mean?

[@the_annab]

The Prix Awards are awarded to the standout dancers in each division, so in a way they are first place, but it isn’t always about how they scored so it can be difficult to judge how they are chosen. It is basically a judges choice award. The recipients are not included in the top 12-24-or top 3, and are announced after all of those are. It can be difficult to understand, but I hope this helps!!

[@madisonp5987]

I was also at the Boston one!

[@isabellabernal263]

I did Boston too!!

[@soph3057]

Do you think it would be a good idea to also take this advice to intensives?

[@the_annab]

100%! Never let others ruin your learning experience, and go into it expecting to not be the best in the room. We go to intensives to learn, and everyone is at a different point of their learning journey. :)

[@soph3057]

@@the_annab thank you so much!!!