By Megan Gross
Twelve-year-old Leah Danek will be competing in the Youth America Grand Prix International Finals next month in New York City – the world’s largest and one of the most prestigious student ballet competitions.
Described as ‘The Olympics of Classical Ballet,’ the glamorous YAGP Finals brings together more than 1,200 of the world’s most promising dancers (ages 9- 19) from around the world.
Danek is a student at Ballet Theatre of Carmel at Performer’s Edge, and has been since she was six years old.
The Ballet Theatre of Carmel at Performer’s Edge has presented several dancers at the YAGP Finals throughout the past four years. This will be Danek’s second time competing as a soloist. She has attended two other years as part of an ensemble. This year, Danek will present her Classical Ballet Solo, an excerpt from the Ballet Coppélia.
In addition to being named a YAGP finalist, Danek is a three-time first place winner in her age category (9 – 11) at past YAGP Semi-Finals in both Indianapolis and Chicago.
Danek has also been named a finalist for the upcoming Indianapolis International Ballet Competition (IIBC). This is the first year for the IIBC competition and will take place in June at Butler University.
Jane Hachiya-Weiner, one of Danek’s coaches and also the Artistic Director of Ballet Theatre of Carmel at Performer’s Edge, said Danek trains almost every day of the week.
“Anywhere from two to six hours daily depending on her performance and competition responsibilities. In addition, Leah participates in basic strength training in her Pilates mat classes, offered by one of the faculty members at Performer’s Edge,” Hachiya-Weiner said.
Danek’s success at a young age has paved the way for a bright future ahead, and can certainly be credited to her dedication and commitment to dance.
To learn more about Ballet Theatre of Carmel at Performer’s Edge, visit http://ballettheatreofcarmel.org.
