South Bay Ballet Dancers Capture Scholarships and Acceptance to Summer Programs

TORRANCE, CA, July 06, 2011 (Press-News.org) Summer is officially in full-swing when South Bay Ballet's dancers head-off to summer intensive programs at major dance companies all across the country. As in years past, South Bay Ballet is well represented as its talented youth embark upon a summer full of learning and growing in their chosen art form.

Artistic Director Diane Lauridsen is pleased to announce that 51 placements have been awarded to 17 South Bay Ballet students, many of whom were accepted into multiple programs this summer. Additionally, several senior and junior company members were honored with full or partial scholarship opportunities.

"Auditions for scholarships and acceptance in summer intensives have been ongoing since the beginning of fall 2010," explains Lauridsen. "Held at various locations, these auditions give professional company teachers and choreographers a chance to see young dancers grow from year to year. It is a great advantage for the dancers to show these professionals how they are developing. Many of our students have graduated from high school and gone on to perform with a company where they have been attending summer intensives for a number of years."

South Bay Ballet's senior company members receiving scholarship awards and multiple invitations include: Skylar Kolby Burson receiving full scholarship to Pacific Northwest Ballet, partial scholarship to Kansas City Ballet, acceptance to Butler University and Utah Valley University 2012 dance programs, and an invitation to apply to University of Oklahoma; Patricia Figueroa awarded full scholarship to Texas Ballet Theatre; Tess Goodrich full scholarship to RDA National Choreography Intensive, and acceptance to California State University Long Beach and University of Texas 2012 dance programs; Camille Jacobson accepted to American Ballet Theatre Texas; Daisy Jacobson accepted to American Ballet Theatre New York, Kaatsbaan and Houston Ballet; Yumi Kanazawa awarded full scholarship to American Ballet Theatre New York, accepted to Royal Ballet School of London, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Kaatsbaan; Paul C. Kirk receiving full scholarship to Oklahoma City Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, and St. Louis Ballet, partial scholarship to Kansas City Ballet, and accepted to Houston Ballet; Kirsten Marshall awarded full scholarship to Ballet Magnificat!; Mayu Odaka awarded full scholarship to Orlando Ballet and Washington Ballet, partial scholarship to Kansas City Ballet, acceptance to Pacific Northwest Ballet, Texas Ballet Theatre, and Milwaukee Ballet; Regina Park-Suh receiving full scholarship to Orlando Ballet, partial scholarship to Milwaukee Ballet and Kansas City Ballet, and acceptance to Kaatsbaan; Benjamin Simoens awarded full scholarship to Milwaukee Ballet, and acceptance to Kansas City Ballet and Houston Ballet; John-Paul Simoens awarded full scholarship to American Ballet Theatre New York and Pacific Northwest Ballet, and acceptance to Houston Ballet, Delaney Zieg receiving scholarship to Orlando Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet, acceptance to San Francisco Ballet, Washington Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre New York.

Junior company members also recognized by professional organization include: Tess Barnhill accepted to Houston Ballet; Tracy Carr accepted to Milwaukee Ballet and Kansas City Ballet; Karrie McGillivray accepted to Milwaukee Ballet and Kansas City Ballet; and Susana Russell receiving full scholarship to RDA National Choreography Intensive and accepted to Boston Ballet.

ABOUT SOUTH BAY BALLET:
South Bay Ballet, a non-profit organization, provides quality artistic performances to the community as well as outstanding training to young and pre-professional dancers. Under the guidance of Artistic Director Diane Lauridsen, the Company's mission is to provide a nurturing environment for serious dance students to develop their skills while offering artistic excellence to the community. The Company is dedicated to providing performance opportunities that build character and confidence. The ultimate goal is to carry young dancers into their professional lives.

South Bay Ballet continues to present Southern California audiences with a professional level artistic experience. Each year South Bay Ballet offers an eclectic range of ballets, from classical to contemporary. In addition to The Nutcracker, the annual season includes both Bravo! A Classical & Contemporary Ballet Experience and Storybook Ballet, at the James R. Armstrong Theatre.
For additional information or to become a friend of South Bay Ballet visit http://www.southbayballet.org.