Sienna Alpert and Tori Gilbert, Southern Dance Theatre students and members of the Elite Ballet Program (EBP), performed a duet titled “Rescued” at the YAGP Regional Tampa Competition January 4-6, 2019. Choreographed by Sandra Goodnough, this piece placed in the top 12 in the Ensemble Category!
Tori Gilbert also placed in the top 12 in the Junior Contemporary Solo Division for her solo “Aqua Vitae” choreographed by Carlos L. de Barros.
Brava to Sienna and Tori! We’re so proud of your achievements!
EBP will participate in the upcoming UBC competition and we will provide updates as available!
The following include Competition results and Summer Intensive acceptances and scholarships for our students who participate in the Elite Ballet Program, part of The Dancer’s Alchemy. We’re so proud of these dancers and directors Sandra Goodnough and Elizabeth Gonzalez for their accomplishments!
YAGP:
Tuscany Group Piece – Top 12
Salma Kiuhan – Top 12 in Senior Division for Classical Variation and Contemporary Solo
UBC:
Intermediate Level Junior Division (Top 10)
Classical Variation – Kelsey Solomon, 7th Place
Contemporary Solo – Kelsey Solomon, 6th Place; Taylor Schmitt, 9th Place
Competitive Level Junior Division (Top 15)
Classical Variation – Tori Gilbert, 12th Place; Savanna Bourque, 9th Place
Contemporary Solo – Savanna Bourque, 13th Place
Competitive Level Senior Division (Top 10)
Classical Variation – Salma Kiuhan, 3rd Place; Madison Bourque, 10th Place
Competitive Level Junior Division Group (Top 5)
Tuscany – 2nd Place
Scholarships from UBC:
Orlando Ballet – Savanna Bourque – 2 week full Scholarship
Motion Dance – Tori Gilbert – 4 week Scholarship, 40%
Summer Intensive Acceptances:
Ava Allwardt – ABT Tampa, Orlando Ballet
Sienna Alpert – ABT Texas, Atlanta Ballet, Orlando Ballet
Madison Bourque – Orlando Ballet, 25% Scholarship; ABT California; Atlanta Ballet; Washington Ballet
Savanna Bourque – Orlando Ballet – 2 week full Scholarship and 25%; ABT New York; Ellison Ballet
Tori Gilbert – Motis Dance – 4 week Scholarship, 40%; Next Generation Ballet – 75%; Orlando Ballet – 25%; ABT New York
Salma Kiuhan – Next Generation Ballet – 85%; Atlanta Ballet; Houston Ballet; Pittsburgh Ballet Theater
Elite Ballet Program (EBP) at Southern Dance Theatre is in its second season. The Program is designed for the serious ballet student; offering special classes, classical variation and contemporary solo coaching, group choreography, performances, and select high level competitions.
This season six students were selected for the program by audition: Sienna Alpert, Madison Bourque, Savanna Bourque, Tori Gilbert, Caroline Kern, and Salma Kiuhan.
Participating coaches and choreographers included EBP Directors; Sandra Goodnough and Elizabeth Gonzalez, Julie Bravata, Christine O’Shea, and Roger Dunson.
The EBP team attended Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP) Regionals in Tampa and Universal Ballet Competition (UBC) in Miramar.
The following are some of the EBP dancers accomplishments at the competitions and acceptance by audition into Sumner Intensive Programs:
YAGP
Madison Bourque (Senior Division) and Savanna Bourque (Junior Division) placed in the top 24 for their Classical Variations.
Contemporary Ensemble “Stillness and Noise” was invited to perform at the New York City Finals.
Caroline Kern onstage performing Classical Bluebird Variation from Sleeping Beauty at YAGP
UBC
Intermediate Level Classical Ballet Variations Junior Division:
Salma Kiuhan – 1st Place, Savanna Bourque – 2nd Place, Tori Gilbert – 3rd Place, Sienna Alpert – 8th Place Senior Division: Madison Bourque – 1st Place Intermediate Level Contemporary Solo Junior Division:
Salma Kiuhan – 1st Place, Savanna Bourque- 5th Place, Tori Gilbert – 6th Place Senior Division: Madison Bourque – 1st Place Intermediate Level Contemporary Ensemble Junior Division: 1st Place
IMG_6146
203_0329
203_0333
203_0364
203_0335
203_0368
203_0337
203_0389
203_0341
Salma Kiuhan UBC
STG28189
203_0350
203_0357
STG28190
STG28198
STG28196
STG28192
STG28194
STG28211
STG28209
STG28239
STG28254
STG28217
STG38243
STG28218
STG38244
STG38245
STG28200
STG28203
STG28232
STG28234
STG38246
STG38253
STG38254
STG38260
STG38259
STG38258
STG38256
STG38257
STG38250
STG38249
STG38248
STG38255
STG38261
STG38274
STG38275
STG38276
STG38278
STG38281
STG38283
STG38295
STG38290
STG38288
STG38286
STG38285
STG38284
STG38300
STG38301
STG38302
STG38303
STG38306
STG38307
STG38318
STG38316
STG38315
STG38311
STG38309
STG38308
STG38333
STG38335
STG38343
STG38347
STG38352
STG38354
Summer Intensive Programs
Houston Ballet: Salma Kiuhan
Joffrey Ballet New York: Salma Kiuhan (full scholarship)
Modas Dance: Madison Bourque (scholarship), Salma Kiuhan (scholarship)
Next Generation Ballet: Madison Bourque (scholarship), Savanna Bourque (scholarship), Tori Gilbert (scholarship) Salma Kiuhan (scholarship)
Orlando Ballet: Sienna Alpert, Madison Bourque (scholarship), Savanna Bourque (scholarship), Tori Gilbert, Caroline Kern
