NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION ANNOUNCES END OF AN ERA
Since the cancellation of NYIBC 2013 was announced on January 31, 2013, the Board of Directors has reviewed the organization’s options with regard to sustaining its future. To maintain its debt-free status during this difficult period, the offices were closed down; and, following careful evaluation of the organization’s standing, the Board Members concluded that after a remarkable thirty-year run, it is now time to bring down the curtain on New York International Ballet Competition (NYIBC).
The Board of Directors wishes to thank the alumni who participated in the program and graced the NYIBC stage since the first competition in 1984, the donors, grantmakers, sponsors, partners, volunteers, interns, host “dance families”, teachers, coaches, judges, honorees, audience and every member of the Staff and Artistic Advisory Board whose trust, support, commitment and devotion over the years were integral to shaping the NYIBC Legacy.
In 1983, Ilona Copen founded NYIBC in order to fill a void and satisfy a need in the global dance community. Other international ballet competitions existed, but New York, considered the dance capital of the world, did not have its own. Joined by NYIBC’s beloved first Artistic Director, Igor Youskevitch, they created NYIBC to:
NYIBC’s unique dance education and performance program format provided its participants with a fair level playing field.
Since the cancellation of NYIBC 2013 was announced on January 31, 2013, the Board of Directors has reviewed the organization’s options with regard to sustaining its future. To maintain its debt-free status during this difficult period, the offices were closed down; and, following careful evaluation of the organization’s standing, the Board Members concluded that after a remarkable thirty-year run, it is now time to bring down the curtain on New York International Ballet Competition (NYIBC).
The Board of Directors wishes to thank the alumni who participated in the program and graced the NYIBC stage since the first competition in 1984, the donors, grantmakers, sponsors, partners, volunteers, interns, host “dance families”, teachers, coaches, judges, honorees, audience and every member of the Staff and Artistic Advisory Board whose trust, support, commitment and devotion over the years were integral to shaping the NYIBC Legacy.
In 1983, Ilona Copen founded NYIBC in order to fill a void and satisfy a need in the global dance community. Other international ballet competitions existed, but New York, considered the dance capital of the world, did not have its own. Joined by NYIBC’s beloved first Artistic Director, Igor Youskevitch, they created NYIBC to:
- provide young dancers from all over the world with a learning process that gave them dance experience, which significantly contributed to their growth as artists;
- champion the classical pas de deux and modern/contemporary duet artistry and technique;
- preserve and enhance our rich dance heritage;
- advance ballet as an art form.
NYIBC’s unique dance education and performance program format provided its participants with a fair level playing field.
All through its rich history, NYIBC remained a one of a kind program and established itself as the premier opportunity for talented dancers from all over the world to: learn repertory, be coached and mentored by masters of their profession who passed their artistry on to them, perform in New York City, boost their careers and become more accomplished artists— regardless of their socio-economic status.
From its inception, NYIBC offered all participants a full scholarship to take part in the program. Once in New York, each group of 48 dancers received coaching, mentoring, housing, food, medical attention when necessary, exposure to cultural activities, and other amenities throughout the 3-week duration of the program, which finalized with the performance opportunity of a lifetime in the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Alumni from the world over provide testimony to the value and contributions of NYIBC to their personal growth, career development and the integrity of ballet as an art form.
Throughout ten editions of its program, NYIBC accomplished its mission to discover the world’s finest young ballet dancers, ages 17 to 24; provided them with an extraordinary educational, mentoring and cultural experience; advanced their careers by producing performances in New York City; and promoted international understanding and goodwill.
NYIBC ARCHIVE PROJECT
Marcia De La Garza, former NYIBC Executive Director, has graciously taken on the responsibility of finding a home for the extensive NYIBC Archive where it can be properly preserved and accessed by alumni and generations to come of dance enthusiasts, scholars and balletomanes interested in learning more about the NYIBC Legacy.
If you would like to be kept informed about the NYIBC Archive, please contact Ms. De La Garza via this contact form and include NYIBC ARCHIVE PROJECT in the subject line.
From its inception, NYIBC offered all participants a full scholarship to take part in the program. Once in New York, each group of 48 dancers received coaching, mentoring, housing, food, medical attention when necessary, exposure to cultural activities, and other amenities throughout the 3-week duration of the program, which finalized with the performance opportunity of a lifetime in the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Alumni from the world over provide testimony to the value and contributions of NYIBC to their personal growth, career development and the integrity of ballet as an art form.
Throughout ten editions of its program, NYIBC accomplished its mission to discover the world’s finest young ballet dancers, ages 17 to 24; provided them with an extraordinary educational, mentoring and cultural experience; advanced their careers by producing performances in New York City; and promoted international understanding and goodwill.
NYIBC ARCHIVE PROJECT
Marcia De La Garza, former NYIBC Executive Director, has graciously taken on the responsibility of finding a home for the extensive NYIBC Archive where it can be properly preserved and accessed by alumni and generations to come of dance enthusiasts, scholars and balletomanes interested in learning more about the NYIBC Legacy.
If you would like to be kept informed about the NYIBC Archive, please contact Ms. De La Garza via this contact form and include NYIBC ARCHIVE PROJECT in the subject line.
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