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 4th 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
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.
