In May, the GYB will welcome world renowned master

teacher from New York, Finis Jhung. Mr. Jhung is a highly sought

after instructor in the art and has appeared on Broadway,

television and has his own instructional videos. He teaches at the

Broadway Dance Center in New York City and will conduct an eight

hour workshop for the advanced company members and guests.

The Georgia Youth Ballet will hold their annual Spring

Concert on June 12 with an exciting repertoire this year

including: "Paquita", "Graduation

Ball", "Don Quixote Pas de Deux",

and "Blue Bird Pas de Deux". Graduating members Sara Hall,

Kelley Johnson and Mary Ann Staib will be honored in their last

performance with the company as they head for the University of

Georgia as Dance majors. Mary Ann Staib won the only

freshman dance scholarship offered for the year. Kelley Johnson received

an academic and dance scholarship to Huntington College but

elected to stay in Georgia. Sara Hall chose UGA over FSU as she was one

of the few selected for the dance program in both schools.

During the summer months, the GYB will host a summer

intensive workshop with Russian and Cuban teachers

including Vladimir Issaev, Laura Alonso, Magda Aunon, Carol Szkutek

and Magali Suarez. A performance of "Copelia" will be held at the

termination of the camp at the newly renovated Sams Auditorium.

It will be held July 9 at 7:30 p.m. and will be free to the

public. Then company members and Ms. Maury will be off to take

classes at American ballet Theater, Joffrey Ballet and with

specific teachers throughout the city.

"I can't wait to take class with Mikhail Baryshnikov,"

said Raegan Jackson, a senior company member, "I can't believe

I'll be in the same studio with him!" Ashley Wooton is also very

excited. "Dancing in New York is what we all dream about,"

she said, "Not only do we get to take classes and go to

performances, but we also will be able to see Broadway shows and plays."

Ms. Maury's student, Elizabeth Gaither, a dancer with the

American Ballet Theatre, is recommending teachers for the students

to take class with. "Beth takes classes daily in New York and

knows where the most challenging classes are," said Maury. "I

want my students exposed to the best New York has to offer."

The GYB has had a tremendous year. They received several

grants including ones from the Georgia Council for the Arts, the

Fayette County Endowment Committee for Cultural Arts, from

Louisville Ballet, a generous anonymous donor and the Priston

Company in Virginia. Dancers from GYB have received scholarships

this year for the Milwaukee Ballet, Harid Conservatory,

Burklyn Ballet, and others. For information on performances or

programs offered by the Georgia Youth Ballet contact Magdalena

Maury at 770-716-9858. The Georgia Youth Ballet is a nonprofit

organization and Fayette County's only member of the

Southeast Regional Ballet Association.

<!--##############