PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A prestigious ballet competition started in Philadelphia this weekend.
The Youth America Grand Prix opened this weekend at the Klein Life Center in Northeast Philadelphia.
"[Philadelphia is] the first city in the U.S. season this year," said Gemmadi Saveliav, co-founder of the national and international youth dance competition.
"For them, it's a stepping stone to go to the next thing. Think about this like it's a big audition to go to the school ... you have a chance to go be seen by world-renowned directs and artists, so like giving you a chance on a professional career."
10-year-old Kendra Sherman was one of the younger dancers involved this year. "It was nerve-racking," she said about being on the big stage, "but I had fun and that's all that matters."
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"It's very different than any other because I've never had two solos before," said nine-year-old Vienna Ludt.
The participants got to dance for other ballet professionals, like judge Charles Askegard.
"For me, as a member of the artistic staff at the Philadelphia Ballet, I get to see all the young dancers coming up," he said. "There are a lot of kids that become professional and I end up seeing them in companies later. It's very, very exciting."
Last year, due to COVID-19, spectators had to watch online. This year, Askegard said, the audience was back.