Mission

NYIBC’s mission is to discover the world’s finest young ballet dancers, ages 17 to 24; provide them with an extraordinary educational, mentoring and cultural experience; advance their careers by producing performances in New York City; and promote international understanding and goodwill.

Celebrating 30 years of excellence in nurturing international young talent!

In 1983, Ilona Copen founded New York International Ballet Competition (NYIBC) in order to fill a void and satisfy a need in the global dance ecosystem. Other international ballet competitions existed, but New York, considered the dance capital of the world, did not have its own. Joined by NYIBC’s greatly beloved first Artistic Director, Igor Youskevitch, they created NYIBC to:

• provide young dancers from all over the world with a learning process that gives them dance experience, which significantly contributes to their growth as artists.
• champion the classical pas de deux and modern/contemporary duet technique and artistry.
• preserve and enhance our rich dance heritage.
• advance ballet as an art form.

Thirty years later, NYIBC continues to be the only program of its kind and has established itself as the premier opportunity for talented dancers from all over the world to learn, perform in New York City, boost their careers, and become more accomplished artists.

NYIBC is under the auspices of the International Dance Committee of ITI, a UNESCO partner organization.