Compete against the best at the XII USA International Ballet Competition!
Elite ballet dancers from around the world will gather in Jackson, Mississippi, June 10-24, 2023 to compete for medals, cash prizes, and company contracts. Selected competitors will receive daily studio rehearsals, master classes, technical rehearsals, and accommodations provided at no charge. Dancers will have the opportunity to audition and be seen by artistic directors from leading companies from around the world including, The Washington Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet, the Philadelphia Ballet, and more. The selection process occurs in three parts, Part 1: general information, Part 2: video application, and Part 3: accepted competitor information. Submit your application today for a chance to …
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Invited Competitors
119 competitors from 17 countries are invited to compete at the XII USA International Ballet Competition, June 10-24, 2023. To see the full list of competitors, or read the official press release, please click the buttons below.
2023 International Jury
Rules & Regulations
Competitor Requirements
DIVISIONS: all competitors are judged individually.
- Junior Division: 15-18 years old by June 10, 2023
- Female
- Male
- Senior Division: 19-28 years old by June 10, 2023
- Female
- Male
CATEGORY: There are two categories within each division: Soloists & Couples. Participants must select ONE. Soloists and Couples will be judged on their division selection.
- Soloists: required to prepare a total of 6 solos.
- Round I: TWO variations selected from the USA IBC Classical Repertoire
- Round II: ONE contemporary solo
- Round III: TWO variations selected from the USA IBC Classical Repertoire and ONE contemporary solo
- Couples: required to prepare a total of 4 pas de deux.
- Round I: ONE pas de deux selected from the USA IBC Classical Repertoire
- Round II: ONE contemporary pas de deux
- Round III: ONE pas de deux from the USA IBC Classical Repertoire and ONE contemporary pas de deux
- Couples may be from the same age division (Junior & Junior / Senior & Senior) OR separate age divisions (Junior & Senior).
- A competitor may appear with a competing partner (each scored individually) or a non-competing partner. Non-competing partners must be 15 years old by June 10, 2023
- Couples comprised of one Junior Division competitor and one Senior Division competitor are required to choose from the Junior Division Repertoire in Round I.
- Couples must appear with the same partner and always as a couple throughout the entire competition.
- If a partner is eliminated, he or she is required to continue to appear with his or her partner in subsequent rounds, Awards Gala, and Encore Gala.
Classical Repertoire (Rounds I & III)
- A classical repertoire list can be found here.
- Competitors are required to select repertoire from the 2023 USA IBC Classical Repertoire. Male-identifying dancers must choose all repertoire from the Male Variation list. Female-identifying dancers must choose all repertoire from the Female Variation list. For couples, one dancer must perform all Male selections, and one dancer must perform all Female selections.
- For questions regarding repertoire, please contact Sara Berry-Lee at sberrylee@usaibc.com
Contemporary Repertoire Requirements (Round II & III): Competitors shall prepare 2 contemporary pieces to be performed in Rounds 2 & 3.
- Contemporary repertoire must have been created after the year 2010.
- Each contemporary piece should be between 2.5 to 4 minutes.
- Choreography should ideally showcase dancer’s range of abilities and highlight elements not seen in the competitor’s classical repertoire selections.
- The original Choreographer is required to sign the “Contemporary Choreography Agreement” upon acceptance to the competition.
Application Process
The 2023 USA IBC Competitor Application has two parts. Applicants and non-competing partners are required to complete Application: Part I. A confirmation email will be sent after submission of Application Part I that contains a dropbox link for access to requisite music, video instructions, and instructions for application video upload.
Application Part I: AVAILABLE OCTOBER 3, 2022
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: January 16, 2023
FEE:
$100 per competitor
$100 per non-competing partner
- PHOTOGRAPH: Upload 1 high-resolution (300 dpi), color, headshot photo. No smaller than 5”x7” (13 x 18 cm).
- FORMS: Electronically signed release and applicant agreement (included in Application Part 1).
- Application Part 1, asks for competitor division, contact information, dance background information, video audition repertoire selections, and application fee.
- Application Part 1, may be started and completed at a later time. All saved entries will be available for 30 days.
Application Part II (VIDEO) – AVAILABLE UPON COMPLETION OF PART I
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: February 16, 2023
Follow the video instructions and submit the application video using the instructions.
Lost your Video Upload email? Email Sara Berry-Lee at sberrylee@usaibc.com
VIDEO GUIDELINES:
- SOLOISTS: Submit two variations from Round I, Classical Repertoire.
- COUPLES: Submit one pas de deux from the Round I, Classical Repertoire (must perform entrée, male and female variations, and coda).
- ATTIRE:
- Women- must wear pink tights that cover the entire leg and foot, pointe shoes, and a leotard in a contrasting color from the background of studio. No costumes, skirts, or practice tutus may be worn.
- Men – must wear black or white tights covering the entire leg and foot, ballet shoes, and solid color shirt in a contrasting color from the background of the studio.
- FILMING INSTRUCTIONS:
- The dancer should be shot directly from the center, with full body kept in view and in close range. No filming at angles.
- Videos with edits or cuts will NOT be accepted.
- Videos of live performances will NOT be accepted.
- A replacement partner is allowed for this video if your competition partner is not available.
- MUSIC:
- Dancers MUST use 2023 USA IBC Round I Music when filming.
- Applicants can download Round I tracks from Dropbox using the link received in the email upon submission of Application Part I.
- Any form of music alternation is forbidden.
- Video submissions will be rejected if the above video guidelines are not met.
Application Part III – AVAILABLE UPON ACCEPTANCE
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: April 12, 2023
- PASSPORT: Must be valid for at least six months after you return home (Expiration: December 25, 2023) and have two or more blank pages.
- Final repertoire selections must be submitted by April 16, 2023. Any changes to repertoire selections must be emailed to Sara Berry-Lee at sberrylee@usaibc.com No changes may be made after May 16, 2023.
Selection Process
SELECTION COMMITTEE
- Competitors will be chosen by the USA IBC Selection Committee based on their application and video in March 2023.
- Applicants will be notified of the Selection Committee’s decisions via email within 2 weeks of the Selection Committee meeting.
- Those invited to compete in the 2023 USA IBC must accept or decline the invitation no later than March 31, 2023.
- Approximately 100 dancers will be selected to compete in the 2023 USA IBC.
AUTO ACCEPTANCE POLICY
- The USA IBC automatically accepts dancers who have won a gold medal (first prize) or Grand Prix at the following ballet competitions:
- 2022 Varna
- 2022 Helsinki
- 2022 Prix de Lausanne
- Finals of the 2022 Youth America Grand Prix (soloists)
- Applicants who meet the division requirements and have received one of these awards may waive the USA IBC selection process by submitting a copy of the certificate of award and Application Part 1 to the USA IBC by January 16, 2023. No Exceptions.
FORMER COMPETITOR POLICY
- Former competitors are permitted to compete in a division if they have not received a medal in the division for which they are applying.
- For example: 1979 Bronze Junior Medalist, Gretchen Newburger, may compete in 1982 as a Senior competitor. Newbuger is not allowed to compete in the Junior division again.
- All former competitors must fulfill the entire application process.
COUNTRY RESTRICTIONS
The 2023 USA International Ballet Competition will not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian dancers and officials in its 2023 Competition in Jackson. Russian or Belarusian nationals may participate if they dance and reside in another country and participate under the flag of that country. No Russian or Belarusian national symbols, colors, flags, or anthems should be displayed.
This decision supports resolutions passed by the legislature of the State of Mississippi in March 2022 condemning Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and barring any business between State entities and Russia.
Music
MUSIC
- All Classical Repertoire must be performed with the Official USA IBC 2023 Requisite Music. Requisite music files are available upon completion of Application: Part 1. Please note, all files must be selected and performed from the official library. Alternate tracks (including those from previous USA IBC) will NOT be permitted.
- Dancers appearing in classical works are required to perform with a live orchestra in Awards Gala, and Encore Gala. Technical rehearsal with the orchestra is provided. Recorded music may be used for contemporary works only.
- Competitors must furnish their own musical material for Round II and Round III contemporary pieces.
Accommodations
Travel
- Travel expenses to and from Jackson are the responsibility of the competitor.
- A shuttle will be provided for transportation to and from the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport.
Room & Board
- Room & Board for competitors and non-competing partners ONLY will be provided at no charge.
- All competitors and non-competing partners are REQUIRED to stay in the competitor dormitories (double occupancy).
- All coaches and any other persons traveling with the competitor and non-competing partner are responsible for their own Room & Board.
Awards
The Jury reserves the right to withhold any award. For a list of previous placements, click here.
GRAND PRIX CITY OF JACKSON
| Grand Prix | Male or Female | $20,000 |
SENIOR DIVISION
| Gold Medal | First Prize Male First Prize Female | $12,000 $12,000 |
| Silver Medal | Second Prize Male Second Prize Female | $7,000 $7,000 |
| Bronze Medal | Third Prize Male Third Prize Female | $5,000 $5,000 |
| Best Couple | ($2,000 each) | $4,000 |
JUNIOR DIVISION
| Gold Medal | First Prize Male First Prize Female | $6,000 $6,000 |
| Silver Medal | Second Prize Male Second Prize Female | $4,000 $4,000 |
| Bronze Medal | Third Prize Male Third Prize Female | $2,000 $2,000 |
| Best Couple | ($1,000 each) | $2,000 |
SPECIAL AWARDS
| Choreography Award (Awarded to a Choreographer) | $3,000 |
| Robert Joffrey Award of Merit | $1,000 |
| Jury Award of Encouragement – Male | $1,000 |
| Jury Award of Encouragement – Female | $1,000 |
Round III finalists receive a cash award of $1,500 sponsored by the Peggy Mize fund through the Community Foundation for Mississippi.
Other Details
ORDER OF PERFORMANCE
- The order of appearance on stage will be determined by pre-assigned numbers.
- Competitors will appear in numerical order by division. For couples, the number of the female competitor will be used.
- The USA IBC reserves the right to adjust program order.
SCORING
- Competitors will be judged individually by a panel of jurors comprised of international dance dignitaries.
- Competitors are judged on artistry, technical skill, and musicality.
- Based on a 10-point system, each juror will vote individually for each competitor in each round.
- After each round, approximately one-third of the competitors are eliminated based on the lowest scores.
- For each competitor, Round I & II scores are combined to determine the finalists who advance to Round III.
- Previous scores are discarded, and medalists are chosen based on Round III scoring only.
- The USA IBC does not release jury scores.
- Decisions of the jury are final and without appeal.
- The Jury reserves the right to withhold any medal.
- Awards are NOT divided between competitors.
OTHER EVENTS
COMPETITOR CLASS & REHEARSALS
- Assigned daily studio rehearsal space is available for a limited time each day at no charge*
- Assigned technical rehearsal is provided for each round on the Thalia Mara Hall stage*
- Two daily competitor classes are available for competitors and non-competing partners.
- Eliminated competitors and their non-competing partners are encouraged to remain through the end of the competition and continue to take classes for opportunities to be seen by Artistic Directors.
*Sprung floors for Competitor Class and at Thalia Mara Hall are provided by Harlequin Floors & the Martha and Henry Hederman Foundation.
CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
- A workshop featuring a well-known choreographer is provided for eliminated competitors and their non-competing partners. The new work will be performed at Thalia Mara Hall and is a fantastic opportunity to perform for Artistic Directors and the Jackson audience.
EVALUATION SESSION
- Feedback on performances will be given to competitors in a private session with a dance professional.
EDWARD STIERLE SHOWCASE
- The Edward Stierle Contemporary Showcase gives eliminated competitors an opportunity to present unperformed contemporary works before a live audience.
- Space will be limited.
Health Policy
Covid Policy
We are monitoring the status of COVID closely and will follow the CDC recommendations and the advice of our official Medical team.
- All Competitors will be required to complete a COVID test at registration, given by our team of medical professionals. Upon receiving a negative test, competitors may participate in all activities, and masking is optional.
US Citizens: At this time, US Citizens are not required to show proof of vaccination or a negative covid test for domestic travel.
International Participants: International travel to the US requires full vaccination against COVID-19. Limited exceptions apply.
More information available at the CDC website HERE!
Should this present a problem for any individual, please contact sberrylee@usaibc.com.
Competitor, Coach, and NCP Portal
2023 Competitors, Coaches, and NCP, please find your information at the link below:
Important Dates
April 16, 2023
Deadline: Application: Part 3
May 2023
Announcement of Competitor numbers
June 5, 2023
Competitor, Coach, & NCP arrival in Jackson, MS
June 10, 2023
XII USA IBC Opening Ceremony
Classical Repertoire
Round 1 Repertoire
Solo Competitors must perform two solo variations, and couples must perform one pas de deux.
Junior Classical Repertoire
Pas de Deux
- Giselle – Jules Perrot/Jean Coralli – Peasant Pas de Deux
- Flames of Paris – Vasili Vainonen – Pas de Deux
- Flower Festival of Genzano – August Bournonville – Pas de Deux
- Coppelia – Arthur Saint-Leon – Wedding Pas de Deux, Swanilda & Franz, Act III
- Sleeping Beauty – Marius Petipa/Enrico Cecchetti – Pas de Deux, Princess Florine & Blue Bird
Female*
- Giselle – Jules Perrot/Jean Coralli – Peasant Pas de Deux, Female Variation
- Flames of Paris – Vasili Vainonen – Pas de Deux, Female Variation
- Flower Festival of Genzano – August Bournonville – Pas de Deux, Femlae Variation
- Coppelia – Arthur Saint-Leon – Wedding Pas de Deux, Swanilda, Act III, Female Variation
- Paquita, Variation, Act III – Arthur Saint-Leon – White Pearl Variation from Ocean and Pearls – Little Humpbacked
- Paquita, Variation, Act III – Arthur Saint-Leon – Fermata Variation (Pouni)
- Paquita, Variation, Act III – Arthur Saint-Leon –Tango or Harp Variation
- Paquita, Variation, Act III – Arthur Saint-Leon – Celeste Variation
- Paquita, Variation, Act III – Arthur Saint-Leon – Grand Jete Variation
- Sleeping Beauty – Marius Petipa/Enrico Cecchetti – Pas de Deux, Princess Florine Female Variation
Male
- Giselle – Jules Perrot/Jean Coralli – Peasant Pas de Deux, Male Variation
- Giselle – Jules Perrot/Jean Coralli – Peaseant Pas de Deux, Alternate Male Variation
- Giselle –Jules Perrot/Jean Coralli – Peasant Pas de Deux, 2nd Male Variation
- Flames of Paris – Vasili Vainonen – Pas de Deux, Male Variation
- Flower Festival of Genzano – August Bournonville – Pas de Deux, Male Variation
- Coppelia – Arthur Saint-Leon – Wedding Pas de Deux, Franz, Act III, Male Variation
- Coppelia – Arthur Saint-Leon – Wedding Pas de Deux, Franz, Act III, Alternate Male Variation (La Source)
- Coppelia – Arthur Saint-Leon – Wedding Pas de Deux, Franz, Act III, Alternate Male Variation (Sylvia Waltz)
- Paquita, Variation, Act III – Arthur Saint-Leon – Male Variation
- Paquita, Variation, Act III – Arthur Saint-Leon – Male Variation from Pas de Trois taken from Le Diable a Quatre
- Sleeping Beauty – Marius Petipa/Enrico Cecchetti – Pas de Deux, Blue Bird, Male Variation
Senior Classical Repertoire
Pas de Deux
- Giselle – Jules Perrot/Jean Coralli – Pas de Deux, Giselle and Albrecht, Act II
- Don Quixote – Marius Petipa – Grand Pas de Deux (Wedding Kitri and Basilio)
- Satanella – Marius Petipa – Pas de Deux
- Esmeralda – Jules Perrot/Nicolas Beriosov/Alexander Gorsky – Grand Pas de Deux, Esmeralda and Frollo
- La Fille Mal Garde – Paul Taglioni/ Marius Petipa/Lev Ivanov/Alexander Gorsky – Pas de Deux
Female*
- Giselle – Jules Perrot/Jean Coralli – Giselle, Act II, Female Variation
- Giselle – Jules Perrot/Jean Coralli – Variation of Giselle, Act I
- Don Quixote – Marius Petipa – Grand Pas de Deux (Wedding Kitri and Basilio), Female Variation
- Don Quixote – Marius Petipa – Bridesmaid Variation
- Satanella – Marius Petipa – Pas de Deux, Female Variaiton
- Talisman – Marius Petipa – Female Variation
- Esmeralda – Jules Perrot/Nicolas Beriosov/Alexander Gorsky – Grand Pas de Deux, Esmeralda, Female Variation
- La Fille Mal Garde – Paul Taglioni/ Marius Petipa/Lev Ivanov/Alexander Gorsky – Female Variation
- La Sylphide – August Bournonvile – Female Variation
- Laurencia – Vakhtang Chabukiani – Female Variation
Male
- Giselle – Jules Perrot/Jean Coralli – Albrecht, Act II, Male Variation
- Don Quixote – Marius Petipa – Grand Pas de Deux (Wedding Kitri and Basilio), Male Variation
- Satanella – Marius Petipa – Pas de Deux, Male Variaiton
- Talisman – Marius Petipa – Male Variation
- Esmeralda – Jules Perrot/Nicolas Beriosov/Alexander Gorsky – Grand Pas de Deux, Frollo, Male Variation
- La Fille Mal Garde – Paul Taglioni/ Marius Petipa/Lev Ivanov/Alexander Gorsky – Male Variation
- La Sylphide – August Bournonvile – Male Variation, James Act I
- La Sylphide – August Bournonvile – Male Variation, James Act II
- Laurencia – Vakhtang Chabukiani – Male Variation
Round 3 Repertoire
Couples must perform one classical pas de deux from either list. Solo competitors must perform two classical solo variations, one from list A and one from list B. In Round III, Juniors and Seniors choose from the same repertoire.
List A
Pas de Deux
- Sleeping Beauty – Marius Petipa – Grand Pas de deux, Aurora and Prince, Act III
- Swan Lake – Marius Petipa/Yuri Grigorovitch – Grand Pas de Deux, Act III (Black Swan)
- Nutcracker – Lev Ivanov/Marius Petipa – Grand Pas de Deux
Female*
- Raymonda – Marius Petipa – Raymonda Act II, Variation IV
- Raymonda – Marius Petipa – Pizzicato Variation, Act I
- Sleeping Beauty – Marius Petipa – Grand Pas de deux, Aurora, Act III, Female Variation
- Swan Lake – Marius Petipa/Yuri Grigorovitch – Act III, Female Variation (Black Swan)
- Swan Lake – Marius Petipa/Yuri Grigorovitch – Act III, Alternate Female Variation
- Nutcracker – Lev Ivanov/Marius Petipa – Grand Pas de Deux, Female Variation
Male
- Raymonda – Marius Petipa – Male Variation
- Sleeping Beauty – Marius Petipa – Grand Pas de deux, Prince, Act III, Male Variation
- Swan Lake – Marius Petipa/Yuri Grigorovitch – Act III, Male Variation
- Swan Lake – Marius Petipa/Yuri Grigorovitch – Act III, Alternate Male Variation
- Nutcracker – Lev Ivanov/Marius Petipa – Grand Pas de Deux, Male Variation
List B
Pas de Deux
- Gand Pas Classique- Victor Gsovsky – Grand Pas de Deux
- Le Corsaire – Marius Petipa/Vakhtang Chabukiani – Pas d’Esclave
- Le Corsaire – Marius Petipa/Vakhtang Chabukiani – Pas da Deux, Medora and Ali
- Diana & Acteon – Agrippina Vaganova – Pas de Deux
Female*
- Gand Pas Classique- Victor Gsovsky – Grand Pas de Deux, Female Variation
- Le Corsaire – Marius Petipa/Vakhtang Chabukiani – Pas d’Esclave, Slave Girl Variation
- Le Corsaire – Marius Petipa/Vakhtang Chabukiani – Pas de Deux, Medora and Ali, Female Variation
- Le Corsaire – Marius Petipa/Vakhtang Chabukiani – Pas de Deux, Medora and Ali, Alternate Female Variation
- La Bayadere – Marius Petipa – 1st Shade Variation
- La Bayadere – Marius Petipa – 2nd Shade Variation
- La Bayadere – Marius Petipa – 3rd Shade Variation
- Diana & Acteon – Agrippina Vaganova – Pas de Deux, Female Variation
Male
- Gand Pas Classique- Victor Gsovsky – Grand Pas de Deux, Male Variation
- Le Corsaire – Marius Petipa/Vakhtang Chabukiani – Pas d’Esclave, Merchant Variation
- Le Corsaire – Marius Petipa/Vakhtang Chabukiani – Pas de Deux, Medora and Ali, Male Variation
- La Bayadere – Marius Petipa – Variation of Solor
- La Bayadere – Marius Petipa – Golden Idol Variation
- Diana & Acteon – Agrippina Vaganova – Pas de Deux, Male Variation
*All female repertiore must be performed on pointe.
Frequently Asked Questions
For any other questions, please contact the Artistic Administrator, Sara Berry-Lee at sberrylee@usaibc.com
How do I apply to compete in the 2023 USA International Ballet Competition?
The Competitor Online application is available on our website on October 3, 2022 and must be submitted by January 16, 2023. Once the Competitor Application: Part 1 is complete, applicants will receive instructions (via email) for completing the Video Submission portion of the application along with the password to access the USA IBC requisite music for Round 1. The video application is due by February 16, 2023.
When will I receive the Round I USA IBC rehearsal music?
Applicants who submit Competitor Application: Part I will receive the USA IBC rehearsal music via email upon completion of their application.
Round III requisite classical repertoire will be made available to those dancers who are invited to compete in the 2014 USA IBC.
Do I have to perform the same variations/pas de deux on the video application as I do in Round I of the competition?
While we recommend that you perform the same variations/pas de deux for Round I that you use for your video application, it is not necessary. Our hope is that you and your coach will choose the Round I work(s) that best suits you, and begin the process of polishing these pieces for the video application.
How and when will I be notified if I am selected as a 2023 USA IBC competitor?
All Applicants will be notified via email of the Selection Committee’s decision no later than March 16, 2023.
May I have more than one coach for the competition?
No. While anyone may accompany you to Jackson and purchase tickets to attend USA IBC performances, you may only designate one coach for the 2023 USA IBC. If you are competing as a couple, you and your partner must designate the same coach.
Coaches must complete a coach application form and submit a recent headshot and a copy of their passport to the USA IBC office no later than April 16, 2023.
If I am competing as a couple with a Junior and Senior competitor, may I choose from the Senior Repertoire List?
No. Couples comprised of a junior and senior applicant must choose Round 1 repertoire from the Junior list.
In Round 3, couples may select from either list A or list B.