Press Quotes

What has been said about NYIBC

“…the ultimate equal opportunity competition.”
-‘From the Other Side of the Stage: Mazzarelli’s Return to NYIBC’ by Jennifer Stahl, Dance Magazine, June 2007

“this is not a competition, this is a learning and growing experience.”
-Ilona Copen in ‘To Dance, Perchance to Be Seen’ by Kathryn Shattuck, The New York Times, June 22, 2003

“…dancers who survive the stress learn the hardest lessons of their profession.”
-‘Grace Under Pressure: Dancers Go Head to Head in Contest’ by Jennifer Dunning, The New York Times, June 19, 1990

Deborah Wingert coaching Miharu Maki and Paulo Arrais at NYIBC 2007, Photo: Whitney Browne

“…part repertory workshop and part performance opportunity of a lifetime.”
-‘Passing the Torch: Coaching Young Artists for the New York International Ballet Competition’ by Rachel Straus, Dance Magazine, March 2005

“This competition is the true training ground for professional dancers of the future.”
-‘Competitors Prove their Mettle’ by Elizabeth Belton, New York Dance Fax, October 2000

“We make them do the same steps so that we can judge them; however, we don’t take away their passion.”
-Winthrop Corey, ‘Winnowing Out the Ones Who’ve Got ‘It’’ by Mindy Aloff, The New York Times, June 18, 2000

“they are in New York, fostering daily cultural exchange, international cooperation, and friendship.”
-‘Second New York Ballet Competition in June’ Arts International, Winter 1987

“…to learn three classic pas de deux from three entirely different idioms is unique.  And mysterious.  The announcement of the selected choreography comes just hours before the competitors’ arrival in the studios.”
-‘Passing the Torch: Coaching Young Artists for the New York International Ballet Competition’ by Rachel Straus, Dance Magazine, March 2005

“…the competition was not only a matter of choosing favorites, but an eye-opening look at the spectrum of interpretations and technical abilities that a single ballet can call forth.”
-‘New York Gets Its Own Ballet Competition’ by Marilyn Hunt, Washington Market Review, August 22, 1984

“NYIBC is about passing artistry from the mature artist to the young artist.”
-Ilona Copen in ‘Passing the Torch: Coaching Young Artists for the New York International Ballet Competition’ by Rachel Straus, Dance Magazine, March 2005

Hayeryn Kim and Yeo Reum Lee at NYIBC 2009, Photo: Whitney Browne

“Everybody gets to know each other. They work together; they sweat together; they become like a family.”
-Eleanor D’Antuono in ‘New York International Ballet Competition: A level playing field and sense of camaraderie make this competition unique’ by Darrah Carr, Dance Studio Life, September 2007

“My goal in attending NYIBC was to learn and improve by watching others, rather than to win a gold medal.”
-Ryan Timothy Nye in ‘New York International Ballet Competition: A level playing field and sense of camaraderie make this competition unique’ by Darrah Carr, Dance Studio Life, September 2007

“It’s about how they relate to each other and it has to do with touching the heart of the audience.”
-Valentina Kozlova in ‘Pointe to Pointe’ by Mary Staub, The New York Sun, June 18, 2007

“If dance is truly the universal language, then it was fascinating to see it articulated here with such varied inflections and intonations.”
-‘The New York International Ballet Competition’ by Alan J. Shaw, Ballet Lovers Guide, Sept-Oct 2000

Victoria Jaiani at NYIBC 2003, Photo: Marbeth

“There is an incredible feeling of camaraderie, like we are all there for each other despite the fact that we will be in competition.”
-Angela Winkeler (participant) in “A Competition, Day By Day’ Pointe Magazine, Fall 2000

“[NYIBC] brings us the training going on all around the world. ”
-‘Ilona Copen in ‘Preparing for a Ballet Competition’ by Robert Johnson, Dance Teacher Now, February 1997

“Everybody goes home having much more than they come with.”
-Katie Pivarnik (participant) in ‘Second Shot at Ballet Glory’ by Ellen Dunkel, The Record, June 17, 2005

“The kind of one-on-one coaching that NYIBC fosters is an invaluable experience that even some major ballet companies no longer provide. ”
-‘Preparing for a Ballet Competition’ by Robert Johnson, Dance Teacher Now, February 1997

“…this really is about the process, not just the medal”
-‘The Friendliest Competitive Edge’ by Pia Catton, The New York Sun, June 21, 2005