SECRET - WBC WORLD RECORDS!!

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!

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

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!

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!!

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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!

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!