Academy One scholars to compete in New York

MANILA, Philippines - Every two years, the New York International Ballet Competition invites young dancers from all over the world to send in a comprehensive application, which includes a DVD of the dancers performing classical ballet solos and a pas de deux. Out of the numerous applications received, only 24 pairs are chosen to participate.

This year Frederick Rocas and Josefa Atayde, both scholars of Academy One Music and Dance Center in Parañaque, were chosen.

NYIBC’s unique format distinguishes it from all other international ballet competitions. It is only after the dancers arrive in New York that they learn the exact repertoire they will be studying. All the dancers learn the repertoire with the same teachers and coaches under the same conditions. This experience allows them to expand educationally and artistically. NYIBC is an experience that enriches and often defines the course of these young dancers’ lives.

NYIBC begins with two weeks of technique classes and the learning and rehearsing of two classical and one contemporary pas de deux. World-renowned teachers and coaches teach the repertoire. They are masters of their profession. In teaching the repertoire, they pass their artistry of classical ballet to this younger generation. The opportunity to learn such outstanding repertoire from such extraordinary artists provides them with professional training they could not receive elsewhere.

The study program is completed on the third week, when the dancers showcase their talents by performing the repertoire at Lincoln Center. After each round, the dancers with the highest scores are advanced.

NYIBC attracts the best in ballet to adjudicate. In 2009, the jury will include: Lita Beiris (Latvia), Julio Bocca (Argentina), Nanette Glushak (USA), Hae Shik Kim (Korea), Mikko Nissinen (Finland), Stanton Welch (Australia) and Ashley Wheater (United Kingdom). The 10th NYIBC will pay tribute to Eleanor D’Antuono for her life long service to the art of dance.

Since the first NYIBC in 1984, more than half the participating dancers have been offered contracts with major national and international companies. They have gone on to shine with the foremost companies in the United States and abroad, including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Royal Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Royal Danish Ballet, Frankfurt Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, and Feld Ballets/NY, among many others.

Josefa Atayde and Frederick Rocas are both promising dancers. Both were recipients of the special awards for best female and male performer at the ABAP Cup ballet competition in October 2008. Their talents have also been noticed in other countries; Josefa was the recipient of a full scholarship to the International Summer Dance School in Hong Kong in 2005, and Frederick was invited last year by Christine Walsh of the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet to guest in the school’s performance. Josefa has also received consistent ratings of Distinction for her Royal Academy of Dance Intermediate and Advanced 1 vocational exams.

The mission statement of the NYIBC is “to discover the world’s finest young ballet dancers, ages 17 to 24, provide them with an extraordinary educational, mentoring and cultural experience; advance their careers by producing performances in New York City; and promote international understanding and goodwill.”

This wonderful opportunity will hopefully not only open doors for these two young artists, but also show the world that the Philippines is home to many world-class talents.