Grand Jetè 2019, 1st place Mr. Ballet, Rimi Mizuoka.
For dance students aged 10 to 19, the South Carolina Governor’s School of Arts and Humanities ballet competition, Grand Jeté, does not just offer the opportunity to compete for cash prizes and learn from renowned dance professionals in master classes. They will also have the chance to be seen by some of the best dance universities in the country and trainee program recruiters.
“Grand Jeté is the only event in South Carolina where high school students can share their talents with so many recruiters in one place,” said Josée Garant, Governor’s School department chair and events director. “This is an incredible opportunity for students looking for an intensive summer program or a university dance program with the potential to win scholarships.”
The current list of recruiters includes Adelphi University, Dean College, The Hartt School at Hartford University, Marymount Manhattan College, New World School of the Arts, John Hopkins University Peabody Conservatory, Point Park University, Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Aspirant Program, University of North Carolina Charlotte, University of Oklahoma School of Dance, University of South Florida and University of Utah School of Dance.
Grand Jeté started two years ago as the first ballet competition for students in South Carolina. Since then, it has grown to include additional prizes and cash prizes worth $ 4,000, master classes and several workshops for dance teachers. This year, students will compete virtually by age group and receive valuable feedback from professionals in the dance industry, including American Dance Theater dancer Alvin Ailey Yazzmean Laidler, the director of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet school, Stéphane Léonard, and the artistic director and Hartt School dance teacher Stephen Pier.
“Our goal with Grand Jeté is to unite our state’s thriving dance community and highlight the incredible talent of these students,” said Garant. “We invite all dance teachers to participate in teacher workshops, and our ballet master classes and modern dance techniques are open to all dance students, whether they want to compete or not.”
All events during the Grand Jeté weekend will take place virtually on Friday, March 19th, until Sunday, March 21st. Students can apply online at www.scgsah.org/grand-jete until March 1st.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact the Governor of SC School of Arts and Humanities Foundation at 864.282.1570 for more details.
About the SC Governor’s School of Arts and Humanities
Located in Greenville, the South Carolina Governor’s School of Arts and Humanities (SCGSAH) cultivates young artists from across the state through pre-professional training in the areas of creative writing, dance, theater, music and visual arts. As a public residential high school, serving third and third year students, students refine their talents in a community of master apprentices, while receiving a nationally recognized academic education. Summer programs are available for students from the 7th to the 12th grade. The Governor’s School also serves as a resource for all teachers and students in South Carolina, offering comprehensive outreach programs designed to bring together artists, educators, community organizations and schools.
Participating dance programs from 2021
College and trainee program recruiters include:
- Adelphi University
- Canadian Royal Winnipeg Ballet Aspirant Program
- Dean College
- The Hartt School at Hartford University
- Marymount Manhattan College
- New World School of Arts
- Johns Hopkins University Peabody Conservatory
- Point Park University
- University of North Carolina Charlotte
- University of Oklahoma School of Dance
- University of Utah School of Dance
Master Classes will be taught by teachers from:
- Adelphi University
- Royal Winnipeg Ballet School of Canada
- Dean College
- The Hartt School, Hartford University
- Marymount Manhattan College
- New World School of Arts
- Johns Hopkins University Peabody Conservatory
- SC Governor’s School of Arts and Humanities
- University of South Florida
- University of Oklahoma School of Dance
- University of Utah School of Dance
- University of North Carolina Charlotte
The webinars will feature the following schools:
- Adelphi University
- Royal Winnipeg Ballet School of Canada
- The Hartt School, Hartford University
- Joan Phelps Palladino Dance School
- Johns Hopkins University Peabody Conservatory
- Dance Department at Point Park University
- New World School of Arts
- University of South Florida
- University of Oklahoma School of Dance
- University of Utah School of Dance
- University of North Carolina Charlotte