14 dancers named winners in 12th USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson. See who

Ed Inman
·3 min read

Fourteen of 99 dancers participating in the 12th USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson have been chosen to receive top honors during an Awards Gala set for Friday, June 23, at Thalia Mara Hall.

“It is going to be a spectacular show,” said Jury Chairman John Meehan, who was joined Thursday by Jury Co-Chair Lauren Anderson and USA IBC Executive Director Mona Nicholas in announcing the winners.

Opening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. after which there will be an intermission, with bronze, silver, gold and best couple medals awarded in each of four categories. There will also be a variety of special honors announced.

The jury may withhold any award or name more than one winner within any category.

“The dancers all know they have won something, but they don’t know what,” Anderson said.

USA International Ballet Competition finalists Sayako Toku and Ryo Sasaki of Japan compete in the Senior Division during Round 3, Session 3 at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
USA International Ballet Competition finalists Sayako Toku and Ryo Sasaki of Japan compete in the Senior Division during Round 3, Session 3 at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, June 21, 2023.

Another subject of great anticipation, Meehan said, is whether the jury will award the City of Jackson Grand Prix — the top prize which carries a cash award of $20,000.

During 11 previous competitions dating to 1979, the USA IBC has awarded the Grand Prix only three times: to Nina Ananiashvili and Andris Liepa of the former USSR in 1986; to Jose Manuel Carreno of Cuba in 1990; and to Johan Kobborg of Denmark in 1994.

Nicholas on Thursday thanked volunteers and officials with the USA IBC for making the 2023 a resounding success.

“We are very proud to host this IBC for the USA," Nicholas said. "It is very good for our city and puts us on the world map."

Dancers from 17 countries around the world participated in the event, which Meehan said is about “on par” with previous competitions. Nicholas said a total of 340 applications were filed from which 120 dancers were chosen, and 99 were actually able to travel to Jackson to compete.

Dancers selected to perform and receive honors Friday:

Corbin Holloway of the United States competes in the Junior Division during Round 2, Session 1 of the USA International Ballet Competition at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson Miss., Thursday, June 15, 2023.
Corbin Holloway of the United States competes in the Junior Division during Round 2, Session 1 of the USA International Ballet Competition at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson Miss., Thursday, June 15, 2023.

Junior Females:

  • No. 3 Isabella Howard — United States

  • No. 12 Mengxuan Yan — China

  • No. 28 Julie Joyner — United States

Junior Men:

  • No. 35 Corbin Holloway — United States

  • No. 37 Alexie Orohovosky — United States

  • No. 38 Zihan Kong — China

  • No. 43 Kangwon Lee — Republic of Korea

Senior Females:

  • No. 51 Yunju Lee — Republic of Korea

  • No. 71 Sayako Toku — Japan

  • No. 77 Xinyue Zhao — China

Senior Males:

  • No. 96 Ryo Sasaki — Japan

  • No. 98 Munkhjin Ulziijargal — Mongolia

  • No. 102 Chongzheng Guan — China

  • No. 109 Yuval Cohen — Israel

Following Friday’s ceremony there will also be the Entergy Grand Prix Ball beginning at 10 p.m. at the Jackson Convention Complex. Guests will be able to celebrate the dancers’ accomplishments while dancing to the soulful sounds of The Chill.

Then on Saturday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. the 12th USA IBC will conclude with the C Spire Encore Gala at Thalia Mara Hall. There the finalists will perform their finest works for one last time accompanied by the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets for all events are available for purchase through usaibc.com/attend.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Winners named in 12th USA International Ballet Competition 2023