World Ballet Competition Reveals New Site, Layout for Blog

If you have found this posting, you are behind the times. The World Ballet Competition (WBC) has upgraded and revealed its new blog on the official WBC website, which means this is our final posting on wbcorlando.blogspot.com.

Check out the new WBC Blog here.


The World Ballet Competition decided to move its blog after revealing an upgraded website. Engaging and user-friendly, here are some of the new features the website includes...

Home Page Picture Slideshow - allowing visitors to clearly see all of the latest news and updates.

FanBoard - part of its community building features to allow students, professional dancers, teachers, and choreographers to share tips, stories, and best practices on a variety of dance topics.

Easy to Access Menu...the new menu offers an easier way to find what you are looking for and allows quicker movement throughout the website.

In-Website Blog - where readers can find exclusive interviews, exciting news, and behind the scenes information on the World Ballet Competition.

For more information on the World Ballet Competition or to check out the upgraded website, visit http://www.WorldBalletCompetition.com

WBC 2012 Judges Revealed - Part 1

Yesterday we challenged our readers to use our hints to guess the first judges announced for the World Ballet Competition 2012, which will be held this Summer from Tuesday, May 29 - Sunday, June 3. See if you were correct and discover all about the accomplishments of the first three members of the WBC 2012 Judging Panel below! Plus, be sure to tune in via our live internet broadcast at http://www.WBCorlando.com this Summer to watch the competition and our esteemed judges score competitors LIVE at the WBC!

Judge #1: Elisabetta Hertel

The hints were....

- Born in Torino, Italy
- Founded the International Ballet Academy in 2002
- Regulary invited as a guest teacher internationally including Japan, Germany, and the USA

Elisabetta Hertel's Official Biography: Elisabetta Hertel was born in Torino, Italy, she began training at the Scuola del Teatro Nuovo and Scuola di Danza Bella Hutter. In 1979 she joined the Académie de Danse Classique Princess Grace; receiving the Professional Dancer Diploma in 1984. After joining the Stuttgart Ballet in 1984 she toured extensively in numerous countries around the world. In 1999 she graduated, in London, as a Classical Ballet Teachers with Distinction. In 2000 she created the “Intensive Summer Course for Ballet Students, Teachers, and Professional Dancers”. Elisabetta founded and directed the International Ballet Academy in 2002, an organization for professional formation in the art of dance. She has attained the Diploma of “Instructor of First level” for the Gyrotonic Expansion System and currently teaches Professional Formation Course in classical ballet, pas de deux, and repertoire. Additionally, she is regularly invited to be a Guest Teacher in international courses in Italy and abroad (Singapore, Hong- Kong, Japan, Germany, U.S.A.) as well as in many Italian schools.

Judge #2: Adam Sklute

The hints were...

- Resides in the USA
- Artistic Director of a major ballet company
- One of the last two artists personally chosen by Robert Joffrey to join the Joffrey Ballet

Adam Sklute's Official Biography: A native of Berkeley, California, Adam was named Artistic Director of Ballet West in March of 2007. Prior to that time he was Associate Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet where he began as a dancer in the mid 1980’s. In three years, Sklute introduced Ballet West to such renowned contemporary choreographers as Ulysses Dove, Nicolo Fonte, Jiri Kylian, Mark Morris, Twyla Tharp and Stanton Welch. Under Sklute’s leadership Ballet West appeared at Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in the 2008 Ballet Across America Festival. He has served as a finalist judge for the Youth America Grand Prix, an adjudicator for American College Dance Festival Association, and listed as one of the 25 Movers and Shakers of the Utah Arts Scene in 2007. Adam is an adjunct professor of dance at the University of Utah and a guest teacher/coach for dance programs nationwide. After only two years of formal study he joined The Joffrey II Dancers where, two years later, he was asked to join The Joffrey Ballet; being one of the last two artists personally chosen by Robert Joffrey. Adam has also appeared in WTTW’s one-hour special of Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker and in Robert Altman’s feature film The Company, based on The Joffrey Ballet.

Judge #3: Jean Logrea

The hints were...

- Born in Romania and now a "New Yorker"
- A previous judge of the World Ballet Competition
- Performed in the 2009 All Stars of Dance (previously Gala of the Stars)

Jean Logrea's Official Biography: Logrea came to the United States from Austria, where for seven years he was a principal with the Graz Opera House ballet company. Trained at the Choreographic Institute in Cluj (Romania) in Classical Ballet, Character, and Folk Dance, he was a principal at the Opera House Cluj, as well as a teacher at the affiliated school for nine years. There he was entrusted with a class of especially talented students, all of whom are now dancing internationally with major companies. He toured extensively throughout Europe and the USSR in such major roles as Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, the Jester in Swan Lake, the pas de deux from Le Corsaire, and the Rocker in The Miraculous Mandarin. Jean is the Co-Director of the Logrea Dance Academy in Ossining, NY and he is the Co-Artistic Director of Westchester Ballet Company.

WBC 2012 Judges - Secret Post #1

Tomorrow, three judges of the World Ballet Competition 2012 will be announced! Check out the hints below and see if you can guess who they will be!

Judge #1 Hints
- Born in Torino, Italy
- Founded the International Ballet Academy in 2002
- Regulary invited as a guest teacher internationally including Japan, Germany, and the USA

Judge #2 Hints
- Resides in the USA
- Artistic Director of a major ballet company
- One of the last two artists personally chosen by Robert Joffrey to join the Joffrey Ballet

Judge #3 Hints
- Born in Romania and now a "New Yorker"
- A previous judge of the World Ballet Competition
- Performed in the 2009 All Stars of Dance (previously Gala of the Stars)

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the official announcement of the first three judges! More secret postings coming soon on the entire WBC 2012 Judging Panel!

For more information on the World Ballet Competition, visit http://www.WBCorlando.com or call 407.849.4669.

WBC International Job Fair Allows Dancers to Skip Hefty Travel Costs

Photo By: Virginia Trudeau & Deedee Sherman

The World Ballet Competition is set to host its unique International Job Fair in Orlando, Florida, USA on Saturday, June 2, 2012. In the event, a very limited amount of dancers (average of 35) are accepted through video auditions to be able to participate.

Watching at the live audition in Orlando are directors and recruiters from companies worldwide - viewing the audition either in the theater or via the live internet broadcast. Dancers audition onstage in a ballet technique class with center on pointe for women and individual technique execution for men. Past participating dancers have landed offers from companies including Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Washington Ballet, Ballet West, Teatrul de Balet Sibiu, and Orlando Ballet.

The WBC International Job Fair has become highly popular since dancers are able to audition for many companies at once in Orlando; meaning they can skip the time-consuming process of coordinating auditions with ballet companies in several cities and say goodbye to hefty plane tickets. At the same time, company directors can choose from high-level talent and fill in last-minute spots for the upcoming season. "It's a win-win for everyone involved. It makes the search for new talent easier and likewise for dancers. Everyone has more to choose from with less time spent looking." says Founder & Executive Director, Vasile Petrutiu.

Dancers from around the world can apply to participate in the International Job Fair with a Video Audition Application - Deadline is Monday, April 23. Find more information and all the details on how to apply here: http://wbcorlando.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=118&Itemid=146

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

WBC 2011 Medalist: Leanne Fromm

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!

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...

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!

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!

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!

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!!

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!