ADC|IBC wraps up 11th annual competition

The American Dance Competition, an international scholarship ballet competition based out of central Florida, wrapped up its 11th season last month. ADC|IBC awarded over 100 scholarships for Summer Intensives, Year-Round Professional Division Programs, and even a handful of Professional Trainee and Second Company Contracts, totaling around $250,000 in funds.

Now a favorite destination for pre-professional ballet dancers seeking esteemed opportunities, ADC|IBC attracts the cream of the crop. The sunny weather and the personalized attention from the prestigious jury add allure to ADC|IBC.

Director Audrianna Broad explains that the competition centers its efforts on its goals to develop “the complete student” out of its participants.

“It doesn’t just stop with the accolades. That’s just one small part of their development,” Broad says. “We want to see true, organic growth. That’s the real mission.”

The 2016 event carried this out by bringing in top-notch educators. This year’s Jury Panel testified to the competition’s reach in the industry, with iconic stars and many ballet decision-makers present. This included school and company directors from American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Ballet West, Houston Ballet, Ellison Ballet, Orlando Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Washington Ballet.

Six days in length, the competition hosted numerous classes and performance rounds. There were lots of opportunities for the panel members to view this year’s participants, which is key to “really building the network of relationships the competition hopes to form.”

The Closing Awards Gala saw many professional artists from leading companies perform. The Cirio Collective, an eight-dancer contemporary troupe led by Boston Ballet’s Jeffrey and Lia Cirio, presented the Gala’s opening piece, entitled MiniM. Orlando Ballet brought a lively excerpt from Don Quixote Act 3, showcasing multiple competition alums. The Gala also included Anamarie McGinn (a prior Fernando Bujones recipient) and former medalists and top prizewinners like Arcadian Broad, Ashley Baszto, Gretel Batista and Adrianna Duda. Boston Ballet Principals Dusty Button and Lasha Khozashvili ushered in further excitement with Jorma Elo’s Bach Cello Suites and a Black Swan Pas de Deux.

Performances by Austen Acevedo (Orlando Ballet) and Juliette Bosco (Ellison Ballet) created a lot of buzz too. Their interpretation and artistic expression of the Le Corsaire pas de deux was strikingly. There was also the 2015 ADC|IBC Grand Prize Winner Maggie Chadbourne performing Telmo Moreira’s Within pas de deux.

Along with memorable performances by Orlando Ballet II and Houston Ballet II, Madison Young, a most recent Prix de Lausanne Laureate, and Jack Thomas, a recent hire into Angel Corella’s Pennsylvania Ballet, came courtesy of Houston Ballet and performed an elegant Sleeping Beauty Wedding Pas de Deux.

The 2016 Prize Winners selected to perform alongside these artists included: Reina Stamm, Logan Hernandez, Josi Matoon, Brady Farrar, Nicole Alfaro, Jadyn Williams, Kaeli Ware, Avery Jarrard, Jasmine Cruz, Nicole Ishimaru, Madison Penney and the top scoring ensemble, All American Classical Ballet.

Visit ADC|IBC at www.adcibc.com for further information. See the full list of 2016 award winners below.

2016 Primary Classical Ballet Division Award Winners

Primary ADC|IBC Grand Prix Co-Recipients ($500 Prize):

– Reina Stamm (11), Master Ballet Academy, AZ

– Madison Penney (11), Master Ballet Academy, AZ

* Both receive full tuition scholarships to Ellison Ballet.

Gold Medal ($250 Prize): Brady Farrar (10), Stars Dance Studio, FL

Silver Medal: Lexie Elliot (10), Xtreme Dance Studio, FL

Bronze Medal: Catherine Rowland (11), Magda Aunon School of Classical Ballet, FL 4th Place: Lilly Morris (11), Illinois Dance Conservatory, IL

5th Place: Alexis Workowski (11), Orlando Ballet School, FL

Others in the Top 15: Ameli Sato (11, Hariyama Ballet, NY); Haley Lowder (10, Cary Ballet Conservatory, NC); Emma Topalova (10, Pittsburgh Ballet House, PA); Mia Arroyo (10, Meg Segreto’s Dance Centre, FL); Jaslyn Peralta (11, Orlando Ballet School, FL); Giulia Serradas Mattiello (10, Espaco Danca Rafaela Nogueira, Brazil); Rachel Leon (10, Stars Dance Studio, FL); Ava Maskin (10, Master Ballet Academy, AZ); Destanye Diaz (10, Stars Dance Studio, FL); and Noe Leilani (9, Center for Contemporary Dance, FL.)

2016 Primary Contemporary Division Award Winners

Primary ADC|IBC Grand Prize Winners (above)

Gold Medal ($250 Prize): Brady Farrar (10), Stars Dance Studio, FL

Silver Medal: Emma Topalova (10), Pittsburgh Ballet House, PA

Bronze Medal: Lilly Morris (11), Illinois Dance Conservatory, IL

4th Place: Haley Lowder (10), Cary Ballet Conservatory, NC

5th Place: Lexie Elliot (10), Xtreme Dance Studio, FL

Others in the Top 15: Isobel Rose (8, Center for Contemporary Dance, FL); Destanye Diaz (10, Stars Dance Studio, FL); Alexis Workowski (11, Orlando Ballet School, FL); Ameli Sato (11, Hariyama Ballet, NY); Catherine Rowland (11, Magda Aunon School of Classical Ballet, FL); Jaslyn Peralta (11, Orlando Ballet School, FL); Noe Leilani (9, Center for Contemporary Dance, FL); Emily McAllister (11, Orlando Ballet School, FL); Mia Arroyo (10, Meg Segreto’s Dance Centre, FL); and Emilie Kaiser (11, Stars Dance Studio, FL.)

2016 Junior Women’s Classical Ballet Division Award Winners

Junior ADC|IBC Grand Prix Recipient ($ 1,000 Prize):

– Jadyn Williams (13), Master Ballet Academy, AZ

* Received full scholarship to Houston Ballet Academy.

Gold Medal ($500 Prize): Josi Matoon (14), Master Ballet Academy, AZ

Silver Medal – Chloe Misseldine (14), Orlando Ballet School, FL

Bronze Medal – Angelina Broad (13), Orlando Ballet School, FL

4th Place – Julia Rust (14), Indiana Ballet Conservatory, IN

5th Place – Alexandra de Roos (12), Next Generation Ballet, FL

Others in the Top 20: Alexandra Hoffmann (12, Master Ballet Academy, AZ); Jasmine Cruz (13, Westlake School for Performing Arts, CA); Cassidy Daves (13, St. Lucie Ballet, FL); Gillian Yoder (12, Next Generation Ballet, FL); Veridy Treu (14, Pittsburgh Ballet House, PA); Morgan Rust (14, Indiana Ballet Conservatory, IN); Sofia Redford (13, Ballet Russe British Columbia, Canada); Miuka Kadoi (12, Hariyama Ballet, NY); Kalin Basford (13, Silfida Ballet Academy, FL); Nicole Alfaro (14, Ballet East, FL); Avery Stamm (14, Master Ballet Academy, AZ); Olivia Annicchiarico (12, Ballet Russe British Columbia, Canada); Marina Halama (12, Illinois Dance Conservatory, IL); Erica Borden (12, Ballet East, FL); and Julia Shugart (13, All American Classical Ballet.)

2016 Junior Men’s Classical Ballet Division Award Winners

1st Place – Avery Jarrard (13), Next Generation Ballet, FL

2nd Place – Clark Eselgroth (13), International Ballet Academy, NC

3rd Place – Not Awarded



2016 Junior Women’s Contemporary Division Award Winners

Junior ADC|IBC Grand Prize Winner (above)

Gold Medal ($500 Prize): Jasmine Cruz (13), West Lake School for Perf. Arts

Silver Medal: Morgan Rust (14), Indiana Ballet Conservatory, IN

Bronze Medal: Angelina Broad (13), Orlando Ballet School, FL

4th Place: Veridy Treu (14), Pittsburgh Ballet House, PA

5th Place: Alexandra Hoffmann (12), Master Ballet Academy, AZ

Others in the Top 20: Josi Matoon (14, Master Ballet Academy, AZ); Gillian Yoder (12, Next Generation Ballet, FL); Vivian Ruiz (14, Stars Dance Studio, FL); Nicole Alfaro (14, Ballet East, FL); Avery Stamm (14, Master Ballet Academy, AZ); Chloe Misseldine (14, Orlando Ballet School, FL); Alexandra de Roos (12, Next Generation Ballet, FL); Cassidy Daves (13, St. Lucie Ballet, FL); Julia Rust (14, Indiana Ballet Conservatory, IN); Marina Halama (12, Illinois Dance Conservatory, IL); Kalin Basford (13, Silfida Dance Academy, FL); Abigail Fletcher (13, Cary Ballet Conservatory, NC); Hailey Mills (12, All American Classical Ballet School); Sofia Redford (13, Ballet Russe British Columbia, Canada); and Tessa Hogge (14, St. Lucie Ballet, FL.)

2016 Junior Men’s Contemporary Division Award Winners

1st Place – Avery Jarrard (13), Next Generation Ballet, FL

2nd Place – Clark Eselgroth (13), International Ballet Academy, NC

3rd Place – Not Awarded



2016 Senior Women’s Classical Ballet Division Award Winners

Senior ADC|IBC Grand Prix Recipient Not Awarded.

Cash Prize Distributed to All Gold Medalists Male & Female.

Gold Medal ($1,000 Prize): Emily Hall (15), Cary Ballet Conservatory, NC

Silver Medal: Peyton Anderson (17), International Ballet Academy, NC

Bronze Medal: Florrie Geller (16), Next Generation Ballet, FL

4th Place: Cara Berl (15), Orlando Ballet School, FL

5th Place: Alexa Di Muro (15), Master Ballet Academy, AZ

Others in the Top 20: Kathryn Stuehmer (15, St. Lucie Ballet, FL); Phoenix Hope Elmer (16, Orlando Ballet School, FL); Charleigh Peters (15, FL School for Dance Education); Mikayla McKean (15, Cary Ballet Conservatory, NC); Vania Valdez (17, Orlando Ballet School, FL); Carley Anderson (15, Ballet East, FL); Kaeli Ware (15, Art of Technique, VA); Paige Lewis (16, Ballet East, FL); Francesca Morris (17, Illinois Dance Conservatory, IL); Allison Ansinn (16, Cary Ballet Conservatory, NC); Claire Wu (16, Rachel’s Ballet, CA); Nicole Ishimaru (16, Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy, CA); Grace Shoemaker (15, Orlando Ballet School, FL); Tayah Bonney (15, Stars Dance Studio, FL); and Sarah Pfeiffer (15, Orlando Ballet School, FL.)

2016 Senior Men’s Classical Ballet Division Award Winners

Gold Medal ($1,000 Prize): Valentin Batista (17), Orlando Ballet School, FL

Silver Medal: Daniel Panameno (15), Vladimir Issaev School of Classical Ballet, FL Bronze Medal: Ryan Lenkey (16), Next Generation Ballet, FL

4th Place: Neal Burks (15), Next Generation Ballet, FL

5th Place: Dylan Amsterdam (16), Stars Dance Studio, FL



2016 Senior Women’s Contemporary Division Award Winners

Gold Medal ($1,000 Prize): Kaeli Ware (15), Art of Technique, VA

Silver Medal: Carley Anderson (15), Ballet East, FL

Bronze Medal: Florrie Geller (16), Next Generation Ballet, FL

4th Place: Chloe Kuka (17), All American Classical Ballet School

5th Place: Tayah Bonney (15), Stars Dance Studio, FL

Others in the Top 20: Marissa Stark (16, Art of Technique, VA); Nicole Ishimaru (16, Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy, CA); Karina Bowers (17, All American Classical Ballet School); Peyton Anderson (17, International Ballet Academy, NC); Sarah Pfeiffer (15, Orlando Ballet School, FL); Mikayla McKean (15, Cary Ballet Conservatory, NC); Paige Lewis (16, Ballet East, FL); Phoenix Hope Elmer (16, Orlando Ballet School, FL); Alexa Di Muro (15, Master Ballet Academy, AZ); Alexandra Topalova (15, Pittsburgh Ballet House, PA); Kethlenn Mazza (16, Orlando Ballet School, FL); Reese Rengstl (15, Ballet East, FL); Cara Berl (15, Orlando Ballet School, FL); Natalia Sanchez (17, Orlando Ballet School, FL); and Emily Hall (15, Cary Ballet Conservatory, NC.)

2016 Senior Men’s Contemporary Division Award Winners

Gold Medal ($1,000 Prize): Logan Hernandez (16), Stars Dance Studio, FL

Silver Medal: Nick Daniels (16), Stars Dance Studio, FL

Bronze Medal: Dylan Amsterdam (16), Stars Dance Studio, FL

4th Place: Valentin Batista (17), Orlando Ballet School, FL

5th Place: Cooper Everson (17), Independent



2016 Ensemble Division Award Winners

All Ensemble Division – $1,000 Cash Grand Prize:

– Body & Soul by All American Classical Ballet School

1st Place Pas de Deux: Don Quixote Pas de Deux, St. Lucie Ballet, FL

1st Place Duo|Trio: Benediction, Stars Dance Studio, FL

2nd Place Duo|Trio: When She Came Back, Stars Dance Studio, FL

3rd Place Duo|Trio: Oblivion, All American Classical Ballet School, FL

4th Place Duo|Trio: Friends of Kitri, Ballet Russe British Columbia, Canada

5th Place Duo|Trio: Torpe, Stars Dance Studio, FL

1st Place Ensemble – Body & Soul, All American Classical Ballet School, FL

2nd Place Ensemble – Pas de Quatre from Little Humpbacked Horse, St. Lucie Ballet

3rd Place Ensemble – Die Forelle, Ballet East, FL

4th Place Ensemble – Brothers, Stars Dance Studio, FL

5th Place Ensemble – Purity, Stars Dance Studio, FL

2016 Special Awards

2016 Outstanding School: Master Ballet Academy, AZ

Outstanding School of the Decade: Orlando Ballet School, FL

Outstanding Coach: Mariaelena Ruiz, Cary Ballet Conservatory, NC

Outstanding Coach: Philip Neal, Next Generation Ballet, FL

Outstanding Choreographer: Chelsea Nasby, Ballet East, FL

Outstanding Choreographer: Angel Armas & Victor Smalley, Stars Dance Studio, FL

Round 1 Jury Award: Kethlenn Mazza (Orlando Ballet School)

Traditional Excellence Award: Daniel Panameno (Vladimir Issaev School of Classical Ballet)

Avant Garde Award: Nicole Ishimaru, Never Wake Me choreographed by Jessie Riley (Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy)

Jury Encouragement Award: Nicole Alfaro (Ballet East) & Marina Halama (Illinois Dance Conservatory)

Outstanding International Dancer: Sofia Redford (Ballet Russe British Columbia)

2016 Fernando Bujones Recipient (Memorial Award): Julia Rust (Indiana Ballet Conservatory)

Capezio Award of Excellence: Jasmine Cruz (Westlake School for Performing Arts)

2016 Scholarship Award Recipients

Trainee positions offered for 2016-17 Season:

– Ballet West: Peyton Anderson

– Hubbard Street 2: Nicole Ishimaru

– Orlando Ballet: Francesca Morris

– Washington Ballet: Peyton Anderson

Professional Division Year-Round Program 2016-17 Scholarship:

– Ballet West: Ryan Lenkey

– Cary Ballet Conservatory: Charleigh Peters (half), Cooper Everson (full) and Daniel Panameno (full).

– Houston Ballet: Jadyn Williams

– Orlando Ballet: Veridy Treu

– Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre: Ryan Lenkey (full) and Charleigh Peters (half)

– Texas Ballet Theatre: Gregory Goessner

Summer Intensive Scholarships for 2016:

– American Ballet Theatre in NY: Nick Daniels, Dylan Amsterdam, Logan Hernandez, Avery Jarrard and Phoenix Hope Elmer

– Ajkun Ballet Theatre: Jasmine Cruz ($900) and Indianna Drew ($500)

– Art of Movement Contemporary Intensive, Orlando: Alexandra Hoffmann, Natalia Duran, Marron Stephan, Karina Bowers, Brady Farrar, Joey Little, Ava Maskin, Tessa Hogge, Jordyn White, Avery Stamm and Emma Wilck

– Atlanta Ballet: Cassidy Daves (5 week – Advanced Program) and Chaveli Pena (2 week – Intermediate)

– Ballet West: Full: Avery Jarrard, Morgan Rust, Dylan Amsterdam, Nick Daniels, Cooper Everson, Kaeli Ware, Chloe Kuka and Anna Maus. Half: Gabrielle Purcell, Addie Richardson, Evelyn Borden, Emily McGoey, Kathryn Stuehmer, Arianna Vargas, Taylor Hardcastle, Francesca Morris, Natalia Sanchez, Cassidy Callen and Kristin Wieland. Pre-Acceptance to Summer 2017: Brady Farrar, Mariela Morales and Abigail Fletcher

– BBSI Summer Intensive: Valentin Batista, Angelina Broad and Paige Lewis

– Boston Ballet School: Angelina Broad

– Ellison Ballet: Valentin Batista, Reina Stamm and Madison Penney

– Harid Conservatory: Clark Eselgroth (full)

– Houston Ballet Academy: Short Term: Brady Farrar and Chloe Misseldine. Full: Avery Jarrard, Daniel Panameno, Jadyn Williams and Julia Rust.

– Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: Karina Bowers

– International Ballet Academy: Chaveli Pena,Quinn Huckaba and Taylor Hardcastle

– International Ballet Intensive: Marron Stephan

– Kirov Academy of Ballet, DC: Sofia Redford (full); Kalin Basford and Faith Marshall (direct entry)

– Koltun Ballet Academy: Valentin Batista

– Louisville Ballet: Gracie Jean Joiner

– Orlando Ballet School: Morgan Rust and Lexie Elliot (Orlando); Natalia Duran and Clark Eselgroth (Jacksonville)

– Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre: Full Tuition & Housing: Neal Burks, Daniel Panameno, Dylan Amsterdam, Nick Daniels and Logan Hernandez. Full Tuition: Cooper Everson.

– ROCK School for Dance Education: Tessa Hogge and Miuka Kadoi

– Sarasota Ballet: Vivian Ruiz and Vania Valdez

– Texas Ballet Theatre: Emma Wilck

– Tulsa Ballet: Cara Berl and Kethlenn Mazza

Photo (top): Primary Division Grand Prize Winner Madison Penney, age 11, performing for the audience in the 2016 ADC|IBC Awards Gala. Penney is the recipient of a full scholarship to Ellison Ballet. Photo by SSP, courtesy of ADC|IBC. Photo (left): Dancers Valentin Batista and Eliana Vogel performing in the Pas De Deux Category. Photo by Gene Schiavone. Photo (right): Emily Hall of Cary Ballet Conservatory was named the 2016 Senior Gold Medalist for the Classical Women’s Division. Photo by Gene Schiavone.