World Ballet Competition

WBC 2011 Medalist: Leanne Fromm

2011-12-26T17:37:00.003-05:00

Leanne Fromm of Phoenix, Arizona captivated the Judging Panel at the 2011 World Ballet Competition. She was awarded the Bronze Medal in the Preparatory Division along with scholarships to the Valentina Kozlova Dance Conservatory of New York, Orlando Ballet, and the Accademia Internazionale Coreutica. Leanne currently trains at the Master Ballet Academy under direction of Slawomir and Irena Wozniak.

Check out one of her exquisite performances at the WBC 2011 by clicking here.

Want to compete at the World Ballet Competition 2012? Find the requirements and information at http://WBCorlando.com.

Official Dates & Location Announced for WBC 2012!

2011-10-30T18:20:00.000-04:00

Photo By: VAM Productions

The directors of the World Ballet Competition made a big announcement earlier this week: the finals of the World Ballet Competition 2012 will be held in Orlando, Florida, USA from May 29 - June 3, 2012 with the acclaimed All Stars of Dance on Sunday, June 3!

Interested in competing? The Competitor - Video Application deadline has been set for Monday, February 27, 2012. Be sure to check the WBC Website (http://www.WBCorlando.com) for the full list of requirements and the 2012 Repertoire List.

Join us for the Master Class Workshop: of which consists of master classes in ballet, modern, jazz, and/or dance related seminars. This is your chance to learn from the world's leading master teachers during the day and view WBC Competition Rounds in the evenings! Program is open to both competing & non-competing dancers.

Land a job in the International Job Fair: Pre-selected dancers audition onstage at the theater in front of directors worldwide via the LIVE internet broadcast. Directors, Ballet Masters, Coaches, and Choreographers from across the globe will view dancer to fill open positions within their companies for the 2012-13 Season. Program is open to both competing & non-competing dancers.

Continual updates and information can be found on the World Ballet Competition's official website at: http://www.WBCorlando.com

Have questions? Email WBC directly at info@wbcorlando.com.

Please share this information with any friends or colleagues who may be interested. Thank you for your support and we are looking forward to an exciting 6th year of the World Ballet Competition!

2011 Testimonials! Hear what your friends thought...

2011-06-21T10:05:00.002-04:00

Thank you to all of the 2011 participants and audience members for sharing your compliments, comments & thoughts with us! Many of you enjoyed our newest addition - the Judge/Coach/Competitor Session - where you received feedback from the judges.

We greatly appreciate your feedback from this year's competition and will use it to improve the WBC for our next event.

To see what your friends thought of the event - click here to go our Testimonial page!

We need your support to continue in Orlando!

2011-06-05T12:07:00.020-04:00

Dear WBC Participants & Supporters,

We would like to thank you all for a great 2011 event! Our fifth competition was a great success, filled with tremendous talent, and we thank you for your standing ovation and appreciation for what you saw!

Unfortunately, our event is not supported by our local county or city. Each year we bring unbelievable talent to the city - from as far away as Australia, Spain, and Ukraine! However, this year we did not receive the Cultural Tourism Funding grant provided by Orange County. The purpose of the grant is to bring tourist dollars to Orange County through the arts and our competition was created specifically for this grant. Our 2011 event brought over 120 participants from 18 countries and 20 USA states to Orlando. The WBC allowed these dancers to be seen by directors and choreographers worldwide with the potential to be offered dance scholarships, job offers, cash prizes, and worldwide exposure. This year we gave more than $65,000 in cash prizes and scholarships to the world's leading dance schools. Several dancers landed full year contracts in the International Job Fair and our Master Class Workshop inspired local dancers with classes taught by famed artists. Most notably, the concluding All Stars of Dance performance gave Orlando a performance to remember for years to come!

We live here in this community and would be proud to keep the World Ballet Competition in Orlando, Florida - an event which the community should embrace. Such a high quality event include lots of costs in monetary funds, time, and energy and we cannot continue this event in Orlando without the support of our local government and our community! Most of you witnessed the greatness of the World Ballet Competition and embraced it with a final standing ovation. Therefore we are now asking for your support in pleading with our government in Florida. This competition is recognized as one of the top competitions internationally and is praised by dance critics as well as company directors across the world. Therefore, please share your appreciation for what you saw with the Mayor of Orlando and Mayor of Orange County. Ask to keep the WBC here in Orlando and explain the talent you saw throughout the week is unlike anything you have seen in Orlando! Otherwise, the WBC will be moving to a new city or country!

Half way through the week!

2011-06-02T00:46:00.000-04:00

We are half way through the 5th World Ballet Competition! Lots of exciting & thrilling moments. Lots of twists and turns - no pun intended. Finals for the Preparatory Category are tonight along with the Introductory Category - which has only one round! Tomorrow the ensembles and pas de deux categories will make their long anticipated debut.

Any favorite moments from this week? Anything that has surprised you? Let us know by commenting below. See you tonight at the theatre or online!

ANSWERS - WBC World Records!

2011-06-01T19:54:00.000-04:00

Since it's inauguration in 2007, the World Ballet Competition has set two world records! Read below to discover what they were!

World Record #1: In 2007, the World Ballet Competition (WBC) became the first competition to be use a computerized scoring system similar to the Olympics - with scores announced after each competitor's routine!

World Record #2: In 2008, the World Ballet Competition (WBC) became the first competition to be entirely broadcast LIVE on the internet.

What is the next world record the WBC should attempt to break?

SECRET - WBC WORLD RECORDS!!

2011-05-31T00:28:00.000-04:00

Since the WBC's inauguration in 2007, which records have the World Ballet Competition set?!?

Hint: It is internet related!

Post your guesses below & find out the answer tomorrow!

The WBC has Arrived!! Begins today @ 5pm!

2011-05-30T00:31:00.001-04:00

Commercial FREE and full of TALENT, the World Ballet Competition officially kicks off at 5:00pm today (New York Time). Competitors from across the globe have gathered in Orlando, Florida to impress judges and international online viewers! They will continue in different categories between Monday, May 30 - Friday, June 3. Winning competitors will be featured in the acclaimed "All Stars of Dance" performance among stars from New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, MOMIX, and the Paul Taylor Dance Company to be held Saturday, June 4 @ 7:30pm!

Watch the competition rounds for yourself, in person at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center for $10 per day OR online for free at http://www.WBCorlando.com. Tickets to view the competition in person are $10 per day or $35 for 5-day pass. Purchases can be made online or at 407.849.9948.

Ex- Baryshnikov Searches for Super Star at WBC

2011-05-28T22:47:00.010-04:00

This Sunday, May 29, 2011 one of ballet’s finest, Marianna Tcherkassky, will arrive in Orlando, Florida to judge at one of the most prestigious international ballet competitions, the World Ballet Competition. As a dancing partner of Mikhail Baryshnikov, Marianna’s presence will bring a huge level of history to the competition.

Ms. Tcherkassky was recognized as one of the world’s leading ballerinas and was reviewed as “one of the greatest Giselle that American ballet produced” by Anna Kisselgoff of the New York Times. She danced in a generation where every American knew the name “Baryshnikov” of whom attracted a fan following equivalent to a modern day movie star.

Fast-forward to 2011, Ms. Tcherkassky is now the Ballet Mistress at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and hopes to find another ballet superstar at the World Ballet Competition. “We are still waiting for the next “Baryshnikov”. Americans have lost the fire and passion for ballet he was able to bring them through his magnetic charm and powerful dancing. Finding the next superstar will not be an easy task, but it will be a momentous occasion for audiences and the arts alike!” says Tcherkassky.

Started only in 2007, the World Ballet Competition has taken over the successful formula already implemented in ‘American Idol’ to make ballet more appealing to American audiences. Dancers of the highest caliber compete in 3 eliminating rounds, are broadcast live on the internet worldwide, and placed under rigorous evaluation of a prominent panel of judges.

Beginning Monday, May 30 – Friday, June 3, the search continues when nearly 120 competitors from over 18 countries will compete in three eliminating rounds for cash prizes, scholarships, and job offers totaling more than $80,000 (including the coveted Grand Prix of $10,000)! Countries represented are Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Japan, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Venezuela, Ukraine, and the USA. Tickets are $10 per day or $35 for the 5-day WBC Pass.

Not in Orlando? Watch the LIVE broadcast online at www.WBCorlando.com. You can follow your favorite dancer’s score and chat with other online viewers. Since 2007, internet viewers of the competition have already surpassed 1.5 million on YouTube and Livestream.com alone.

The WBC culminates on Saturday, June 4^th with the electrifying "All Stars of Dance" performance at 7:30 pm. This one night only performance features the winners of the 2011 WBC sharing the stage with stars from New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, MOMIX, and an exclusive world premiere choreographed by Viktor Plotnikov! The All Stars of Dance will be held at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center in Orlando, Florida. Tickets ranging from $25 - $100 are on sale now at http://WBCorlando.com or by phone at 407.849.9948.

Tickets to competition rounds (beginning at 5:00pm daily) are on sale now. Purchase can be made online at www.WBCorlando.com or by calling 407.849.9948.

1st Photo By: Howard Dando, 2nd Photo: Virginia Trudeau & Deedee Sherman

Share Your Performance!

2011-05-27T22:30:00.001-04:00

Dear WBC Competitor,

Share your performances with your family & friends! They can watch you dance LIVE on the Internet all week at http://WBCorlando.com!

You can also SHARE any of the following on your Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace page starting now and throughout the week of the competition! Or any other social networking site!

WBC Livestream: livestream.com/wbcorlando

WBC Facebook: facebook.com/wbc.orlando

WBC Youtube: youtube.com/wbcorlando

WBC Official Blog: wbcorlando.blogspot.com

WBC Twitter: twitter.com/wbcorlando

We look forward to sharing your thrilling performances with your family, friends, and colleagues!! See you there!

Photo Credits: VAM Productions

New Livestream Theme! New Photos!!

2011-05-26T21:45:00.000-04:00

NEW THEME FOR LIVESTREAM PAGE!

Check it out here! http://www.livestream.com/wbcorlando

Beginning Monday, May 30 - Watch beautiful ballerinas and powerful male dancers pirouette to glory in the World Ballet Competition 2011. Click the link above and watch the competition beginning at 5pm daily (New York Time).

Over 120 competitors from 18 countries will compete for $80,000 in cash prizes, scholarships, and job offers! Competitors are scored by eight judges who use a computerized scoring system similar to the Olympics. Competitors will compete onstage at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center from Monday, May 30 - Friday, June 3.

In Orlando? See it for yourself at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center! Go to www.WBCorlando.com for tickets.

WBC Spotlight: Misa Kuranaga

2011-05-24T21:16:00.012-04:00

WBC Officials announce Daniel Ulbricht of New York City Ballet and Misa Kuranaga of Boston Ballet to dance together at the 2011 All Stars of Dance. These principal dancers will take the stage Saturday, June 4 and will dance one of the highly anticipated performances of the night! We can't wait to see the reactions from our Orlando audience!

ABOUT MISA: Misa Kuranaga studied ballet in Japan and later moved to the United States to train at the prestigious School of American Ballet in New York City. She then landed a job at Boston Ballet and has been a company member since 2003.

Check out the Spotlight Interview on Misa Kuranaga here. Learn why she says it was a blessing not to get a dance job right away and where she got the nickname "Sushi"!

ABOUT DANIEL: For a sneak peak of Daniel Ulbricht check out our recent blog post!

For Tickets to the All Stars of Dance, buy online at http://www.wbcorlando.com or Call 407.849.4669!

***Photo By: Virginia Trudeau & Deedee Sherman

Vanessa Zahorian of San Francisco Ballet - WBC All Stars of Dance Feature

2011-05-18T23:22:00.003-04:00

Last year, Vanessa Zahorian of San Francisco Ballet dazzled our Orlando crowd with her stunning variation from Don Quixote! Take a peek here!

For tickets to the upcoming All Stars of Dance go to - http://cfb.interticket.com - or call 407.849.9948.

Interview with WBC Founder & Exective Director: Vasile Petrutiu

2011-05-14T16:18:00.007-04:00

Nearly 2 weeks before the World Ballet Competition 2011 is to begin in Orlando (Monday, May 30 -Friday, June 3), we sat down with the WBC Founder & Executive Director, Vasile Petrutiu, to hear his thoughts on the upcoming competition.

What surprises do you have for the audiences or dancers? New world premiere choreography by Viktor Plotnikov and a few Orlando Debuts.

If participants only have time to visit one attraction in Orlando, which one should they visit? Sea World

What are you most excited about for the WBC 2011? To be over! Just kidding! I am looking forward to meet new competitors and their coaches and revisit with the ones returning to the WBC!

Have you competed before? NO

Do you think you would have liked competing? YES

How is this years’ “All Stars of Dance” different from past performances? The repertoire blend is close to a perfect evening this year. The combination of classical, neo classical to contemporary covers the entire world of dance from the most from the novice to eccentric.

What is one thing that surprised you the most since starting the competition in 2007? The world wide interest and response from the word of mouth much more so than from all media.

What advice can you give to those competing? Feel at home. Show everyone how much you enjoy dancing. Do not go for the win!

The competition will be broadcast LIVE on the Internet! Is it free to watch online? We hope so!

How can viewers watch online? Either through the homepage of the WBC website, http://www.wbcorlando.com or at http://www.livestream.com/wbcorlando

Do you have any final thoughts or something you wish to tell the WBC fans? If you like rollercoasters or suspense movies, this will do!

Want to learn more about Vasile? Read his biography here!

For tickets and more information, Call 407.849.9948 or Visit http://www.wbcorlando.com

WBC Blog gets Worldwide Attention

2011-05-14T16:02:00.000-04:00

Since the WBC's first blog posting on March 8, 2011, thirty-one (31) countries have viewed the Official WBC blog! The WBC created the blog as an outlet for competitors and WBC fans to receive updates, share insights, and to meet other dancers across the world. “We are pleased to see so much interest in our blog and hope our fans will enjoy the WBC 2011!” says Vasile Petrutiu, Founder & Executive Director of the World Ballet Competition.

The event will be the largest to date since for the first time the WBC has reached full capacity of 120 competitors. Daily Competition Rounds will be broadcast WORLDWIDE Monday, May 30 - Friday, June 3, 2011 at http://www.livestream.com/wbcorlando (beginning at 5pm daily - New York time). Those watching on the internet will be able to follow their favorite dancer and chat with other viewers around the world.

Countries who have viewed the WBC Blog include: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Italy, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Portugal, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and Taiwan!

WBC 2011 Video Promo - Dancer Revealed!

2011-05-08T21:11:00.000-04:00

You saw her perform Esmeralda in the WBC 2011 Promo Video. Who was it?

Christina Riccuci!

She won the Gold Medal in the youngest WBC Category - Introductory (ages 10-11) and currently trains at the Murrieta Dance Project. Christina has received several awards for ballet including the Mary Kasai Award for Ballet Excellence and also won the Discount Dance Supply Model Search. Watch Christina's entire variation here: http://youtu.be/Jm5-76mj3OE

With the World Ballet Competition 2011 less than three weeks away - which competitors will perform their versions of Esmeralda this year?

Whitney Jensen - WBC Medalist Feature

2011-05-03T19:40:00.000-04:00

From the time Whitney Jensen burst on the competition scene, she grabbed attention from audiences near and far with her striking variation of "Black Swan". In 2007, she competed at the inaugural World Ballet Competition and walked away as the Junior Division - Gold Medalist. Watch her Black Swan variation here...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eL6KvdsGlE

It has since received over 85,000 views!

Where is Whitney Now? She is currently a Second Soloist at Boston Ballet!

Read about Whitney's other accomplishments here...http://www.bostonballet.org/Company_Dancers/Dancers/Whitney_Jensen.html

2011 WBC Judges Announced!

2011-05-02T23:16:00.007-04:00

WBC Officials have announced the Judging Panel for the 2011 World Ballet Competition in Orlando, Florida, USA.

Read below for the full list.

During the competition rounds, the judges scores for each dancer will be posted immediately after the dancer's routine - using one of the World Ballet Competition's unique elements - its' instantaneous computerized scoring system, similar to the Olympics. Be sure to tune in for the live broadcast to see the judges and their scores! The competition will be broadcast LIVE May 30 - June 3, 2011 beginning at 5:00 pm daily @ http://www.livestream.com/wbcorlando

World Ballet Competition 2011 Judges

David Palmer - Australia/Washington Ballet/Artistic Associate

Marianna Tcherkassky - USA/ABT, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre/Ballet Mistress

Yanis Pikieris - Latvia/Bavarian Ballet, Maximum Dance Founder

Elisabetta Hertel - Italy/Accademia Internazionale Coreutica/Director

Heather Sanders - Fryxell - USA/Orlando Ballet/Freelance Teacher & Guest Artist

Trindad Vives - Spain/Boston Ballet, Brookline Ballet/Founder & Artistic Director

Dorin Gal - Germany/Freeland Artist in Set Design & Stage Production

Jean Logrea - Romania/Graz Ballet, Westchester Ballet/Director

Click here to read the WBC 2011 - Judges Biographies!

2011 Artists Announced for the All Stars of Dance

2011-04-29T21:40:00.005-04:00

The WBC culminates on Saturday, June 4^th with the electrifying "All Stars of Dance" performance at 7:30 pm. This one night only performance features the winners of the 2011 WBC sharing the stage with most prominent talent in the dance world all under the same roof at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center in Orlando, Florida, USA.

The 2011 Artist Line-Up:

Larissa Ponomarenko, Lia Cirio and Misa Kuranaga of Boston Ballet will be joined by their colleagues Joseph Gatti and Jeffrey Cirio, both previous WBC gold medalists.
Paul Taylor Dance Company will feature its top artists Amy Young, Robert Kleinendorst and Orlando native Eran Bugge.
Returning audience favorites, Daniel Ulbricht of New York City Ballet and the ever entertaining “MOMIX” dancers will dazzle the audience once again with their virtuosity and acrobatic moves.
Viktor Plotnikov, one of today's most unique and demanded choreographers, will surprise the public with another world premiere choreographed exclusively for the WBC All Stars of Dance.

Tickets from $25 - $100 are on sale and can be purchased online at www.wbcorlando.com or by calling 407 849 9948. Hurry before tickets sell out!

Complete Artist List: All Stars of Dance 2011

Daniel Ulbricht - New York City Ballet

Larissa Ponomarenko - Boston Ballet

Misa Kuranaga - Boston Ballet

Jeffrey Cirio - Boston Ballet

Lia Cirio - Boston Ballet

Joseph Gatti – Boston Ballet, previously Corella Ballet of Spain

Amy Young - Paul Taylor Dance Company

Robert Kleinendorst - Paul Taylor Dance Company

Eran Bugge - Paul Taylor Dance Company

MOMIX Dance Company

WBC NOTE: For audience comments and reviews from past performances click here.

V. Plotnikov - Video Exclusive of WBC 2010 Premiere!

2011-04-26T19:46:00.011-04:00

Here it is! The performance you won't see anywhere else! Viktor Plotnikov's exclusive world premiere at the 2010 WBC All Stars of Dance (previously named "Gala of the Stars").

This choreography is inspired on the American film, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" directed by Milos Forman and the 1962 novel by Ken Kesey. In the novel, the main character, Bromden, suffers from hallucinations and paranoia along with the other patients. His world view is dominated by a fear he calls "Combine", a huge conglomeration of that forces people into conformity and controls society. Bromden pretends to be deaf and tries to go unnoticed, even though he is 6 feet and 7 inches tall...

In this piece, Heather Sanders-Fryxell (Previous Principal Dancer of Southern Ballet Theater - now Orlando Ballet) plays a mental patient dreaming of being a prima ballerina. Viktor Plotnikov is a war veteran. Larissa Ponomarenko (Principal Dancer of Boston Ballet) plays the nurse. Before taking their medicine, the patients are all frantic, but wait and see what happens after they take their medicine.

Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dgGKCTLzyk

If you like this choreography, be sure to check out Plotnikov's 2011 world premiere piece at the All Stars of Dance - Saturday, June 4, 2011! Buy tickets at http://www.wbcorlando.com

V. Plotnikov to Premiere Exclusive Choreography at WBC

2011-04-25T19:31:00.008-04:00

Viktor Plotnikov - One of the world's most demanded contemporary choreographers - is set to choreograph another WORLD PREMIERE choreography for the concluding WBC All Stars of Dance!

What is the story line? Which music is he using? Who are the Dancers? You have to come to the show to find out! Saturday, June 4 @ 7:30 pm held at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center! Buy tickets at http://www.wbcorlando.com or Call 407.849.9948.

We will be giving clues from now through June 4 - so be sure to check back for hints! In the meantime, feel free to post your guesses.

P.S. Check back tomorrow for an exclusive snippet of last year's performance! You won't want to miss it!

Yuki Ogasawara - WBC Medalist Feature!

2011-04-17T20:54:00.006-04:00

Here is an update on......Yuki Ogasawara (she is on the far right in the photo)!

Yuki won the Silver Medal and $1,500 US Dollars at the inaugural World Ballet Competition in 2007. She competed in the Junior Category and at the time was training with Ellison Ballet. Her competition that year included Whitney Jensen (now with Boston Ballet) and Nana Yamatani (who went on to train with the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C.).

Where is Yuki now? She is dancing with the Dresden Opera and Ballet in Germany.

Her contemporary was cleverly titled "What's the Pointe?" Find out if there was a point at the 2:45 minute mark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9SidLbE9nk

Joseph Gatti - Showdown in NYC Subway!

2011-04-14T22:14:00.006-04:00

Our inaugural World Ballet Competition, Senior Gold Medalist - Joseph Gatti, wowed the 2007 Judging Panel. Since his medal winning performance, he traveled to overseas to join the Corella Ballet of Spain as a Principal dancer and recently joined Boston Ballet as a Soloist.

Now Gatti proves he has star power both on stage and OFF! Watch him strut his moves & amaze bystanders at an NYC subway...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7OmGiwNsM4

Secret Artist #2 - Revealed!

2011-04-09T18:15:00.008-04:00

Artist #2: Daniel Ulbricht, Principal Dancer of New York City Ballet!

A native Floridian, Ulbricht has generated a fan following across the state and now in New York City! Ulbricht has previously danced in our final WBC performances and is always one of the MOST talked about of the night!

Enjoy his most recent performance at our 2010 event... Be sure to wait for the reaction at 0:35! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIxpMGlcguw

For tickets visit, http://www.wbcorlando.com or Call 407.849.9948 - while they last!!!

All Stars of Dance - Secret Artist #2

2011-04-08T22:09:00.003-04:00

The All Stars of Dance performance will be Saturday, June 4, 2011 @ 7:30 pm at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center!

Want to know the line up? We are giving our SECOND sneak peak of this year's performing artists tomorrow.

Clues For Secret Artist #2:

High-flying jumps
Magnetic charisma
Balanchine style dancer

Who could it be? POST YOUR GUESSES! Check back tomorrow for the answer!

P.S. Get your tickets while they're still available!!

Visit http://www.wbcorlando.com

Secret Artist #1 - Revealed

2011-04-06T14:07:00.002-04:00

Artist #1: Momix Dance Company!

One of our MOST LOVED performers, each year they defy gravity and use optical illusions to astound our audience.

They performed "Aqua Flora" and "Skiva" in 2008 - you might have seen it on YouTube and its even better LIVE!

Last year they mesmerized the audience with "TUU" which is shown in the 2011 Preview Video of the All Stars of Dance (at the 0:43 second mark). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWN2Z3ZifU0

We can't wait to have them back and look forward to seeing your reactions!

All Stars of Dance - Secret Artist #1

2011-04-05T11:59:00.006-04:00

This year the coveted All Stars of Dance performance will be back in ORLANDO!

Saturday, June 4, 2011 @ 7:30 pm to be exact!

Want to know the line up? We are giving our first sneak peak of this year's performing artists tomorrow.

Clue For Secret Artist #1: You have watched them in a previous WBC final performance and even gave them a standing ovation!

Who could it be? Check back tomorrow for the answer!

Visit http://www.wbcorlando.com for more information on the World Ballet Competition.

World Ballet Competition: International Job Fair

2011-03-23T21:37:00.003-04:00

DIRECTOR REGISTRATION: To register, submit the Director Registration Form to the WBC by email at info@wbcorlando.com.

DANCER APPLICATION: To apply, please visit http://www.wbcorlando.com for complete details on what to include in your application.

For More Information, please call the WBC at 407.849.4669 or visit our website at http://www.wbcorlando.com.

Fast Facts on our Hosting Theatre

2011-03-22T15:07:00.004-04:00

Known as one of Orlando’s prime theaters, we are proud to host the fifth World Ballet Competition in this historic venue of the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center.

The building was constructed in 1926 for approximately $175,000 and originally known as the Municipal Auditorium, or “Muni Aud,” to Orlando natives.

After an extensive renovation in 1978, the theatre was renamed in dedication to Mayor Robert Carr’s service to the City of Orlando.

Today the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center “hosts some of the largest and most popular Broadway and theatrical touring productions in the country.”

Notable artists haved included Yanni and Itzhak Perlman.

For more information, on the Bob Carr visit http://www.orlandovenues.net/other_info_files/bob_carr_centre.php

Taras Domitro: WBC Medalist Feature!

2011-03-19T00:16:00.000-04:00

After wowing the judges with his high-flying leaps and impeccable technique, Taras Domitro walked away from the World Ballet Competition 2008 as the Professional Gold Medalist! After the competition, Domitro joined the San Francisco Ballet as a principal dancer.

Check in on his status in a video filmed by Q. Wharton: See how he warms up and the ONE thing he always does before he going on stage - just click the link below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVO491RdwxU

View & Recruit Premier Talent!

2011-03-11T20:19:00.000-05:00

The WBC announces the second annual 2011 International Job Fair!

This is your chance to recruit premier talent from across the world - via your computer or live at the theatre! All auditioning dancers have been pre-screened by the WBC Panel. Access to all dancers’ resumes and information will be provided by the WBC at the director's request.

If you have registered by March 26, you will receive the WBC exclusive hotel room rate and ONE COMPLIMENTARY ticket to the "All Stars of Dance" final performance. This is THE event no director can miss!

To register submit the Director Registration Form to the WBC by email at info@wbcorlando.com or mail to 3306 Maggie Blvd., Suite B, Orlando, FL 32811.

For more information, please call the WBC at 407.849.4669 or visit our website at http://www.wbcorlando.com.

2011 WBC Competitors Announced!

2011-03-09T20:19:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to ALL 2011 WBC Competitors! This year, the World Ballet Competition received more applications than ever; making the WBC Panel's job very difficult to choose the final competitors. The final list is posted at http://www.wbcorlando.com

This year we are looking forward to a bigger and even better competition. The Master Class Program and International Job Fair are returning and we have also added an extra day of competition rounds (Monday, May 30).

Please continue to check our WBC Blog as news & updates will be posted!

If you have questions, you can post them as a comment on our blog or send an email to info@wbcorlando.com.

Tips. News. And More from the WBC 2011!

2011-03-08T16:14:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the first blog posting of the World Ballet Competition! We are now in our 5th year and excited to once again bring world class artists, directors, choreographers, teachers and more to Orlando, Florida, USA.

For our first blog, we want to offer some general updates and tips each competitor can use for their stay from May 29 - June 4, 2011.

First - Many people have asked what is there to do before, during or after the competition? Well, our previous competitors enjoyed spending time at the beach, theme park hopping (who can miss Disney or Universal while they are here?!?), shopping, visiting the Science Center and area museums, or simply lounging by the pool at our host hotel, the Sheraton - Downtown Orlando. Whatever you enjoy one thing is for sure, here in Orlando you will have no trouble finding the activity you love! If you would like some more information about our host city, visit our "About Orlando" website tab.

Second - We have received some questions about what is new in our 2011 event. Here is some information on our new events & updates.

2nd International Job Fair: This year marks our second annual International Job Fair, which is an intercontinental vehicle that will provide qualified dancers with the opportunity to audition in one place & one time for numerous professional job openings worldwide. The Job Fair was created to make finding a job a little bit easier for dancers and directors alike. If you would like to audition in the Job Fair or view dancers for hire, go to our "Job Fair" website tab.

# of Applicants: This year we received a record a number of applications. Thus, with so many skilled dancers to choose from, the WBC Judging Panel certainly had a tough job deciding which dancers qualified to compete in Orlando. However, we are still in need of groups applications. Please send your application ASAP if you would like to be considered to compete in the Group Category! Also, a big congratulations is in order to all of our 2011 WBC competitors! Keep up the good work and we are excited to see you onstage this SUMMER!

Third - With every year passing, the World Ballet Competition is pleased to know that more and more dancers, family, teachers, coaches, directors, and audience members (across the world) are excited and thrilled for the talent they see in the daily competition rounds and concluding All Stars of Dance. As the word spreads, we are able to inspire, culture, and entertain more viewers in a variety of countries worldwide. So whether you have watched from the beginning or a fresh viewer, we hope you enjoy your time living the World Ballet Competition experience!

For more information on the World Ballet Competition, visit http://www.wbcorlando.com