Congratulations are in order for Sienna Alpert who was one of three dancers invited to the invitation-only trainee program at Orlando Ballet beginning September 2019! Sienna has been a dancer with SDT since she was 4 and a dancer with the Elite Ballet Program.
We are so elated and proud that your hard work and talent has paid off in a BIG way!
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
Kelsey Solomon – Next Generation Ballet – 20% Scholarship; ABT Texas
Taylor Schmitt – ABT Tampa; Orlando Ballet
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.
Caroline Kern onstage performing Classical Bluebird Variation from Sleeping Beauty at YAGP
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
