Friday, November 13, 2015 First Position

YAGP's Sergey Gordeev introduces Gillian Murphy and American Ballet Theatre dancers at the launch event for Youth America Grand Prix's First Position Club.

This past Tuesday night, Youth America Grand Prix launched its First Position Club at the home of Caroline Hyman with her children Mac andPrue Hyman by her side. Guests included Sarah Arison, Peter Bacanovic, Barbara and Gary Brandt, Elizabeth Camp, Suzanne Dance, Beverly D'Anne, Ann Dexter-Jones, Judith M. Hoffman, Elizabeth Kurpis, Jared Longhitano, Margot and Allen London, Tara Milne, Linda Morse, Gillian Murphy, Richard Osterweil, Elizabeth Papadopolous and John Sills, Howard Paley, Emily Reifel, Joy Sabella and Konstantin Dolgitser, Sarah Stavrou, Irene and Fred Shen, George Van der Ploeg Darren Waterston, Doug Wurth, andTerry Zucker.

Blair Hartley and Irene Shen

YAGP's Sergey Gordeev, alongside American Ballet Theatre dancers and YAGP alumni Katie Williams, Gabe Stone Shayer, and Jamie Kopit who were joined by fellow ABT dancers Gillian Murphy and Fang Zhongjing, thanked guests for coming and spoke about First Position Club before a cake was brought out in honor of Irene Shen's birthday. Guests gazed at the collection of over 40 theatrical design artworks, including many from Leon Baskt, Alexandre Benois, Natalia Gontcharova and even a couple Andy Warhol costume designs from The Frogs.

A drawing by Alexandre Benois Lev Samoilovich Bakst, Ballet Russes drawing With the name taken from the award-winning documentary, First Position, YAGP's First Position Club provides members an exclusive "Behind the Scenes" view into the world of dance. Members can choose events from the YAGP Behind-the-Scenes Series where they interact and share intimate experiences with the artists, directors, educators, and other celebrated leaders of the dance community.

Beverly D'Anne and Caroline Hyman Christine Augustine and Gloria Fu

Steven Limmer, Shelley Limmer, Gillian Murphy, and Irene Shen

Allison Derusha and Elaine Brownstein Beverly D’Anne and Barbara Brandt

Caroline Hyman, Mac Hyman, Anne Dexter Jones, and Sarah Stavrou

Elizabeth Purpose, Fisher Cherry, and Sarah Arison Gary and Barbara Brandt

Konstantin Dolgitser and Joy Sabella Darren Waterston, Tara Milne, and Jonathan Marder

Fang Zhongjing, John Sills, Fred Shin, and Elizabeth Papadopolous

Gabe Shayer and Katie Williams Doug Wurth and Sarah Arison

Jared Longhitano, Emily Reifel, and Andrew Mikhael

Guy Mognaz and Beverly D'Anne Chris Ann Ernst and Richard Osterweil

Judith M. Hoffman, Irene Shen, and Fang Zhongjing

Linda Morse, Richard Osterweil, and Gabe Shayer

Margot London and Mikaila Koenig Peter Bancanovic

Mikaila Koenig, Jared Longhitano, and Emily Reifel Sarah Stavrou, Mike Ellenbogen, and Jamie Kopit

Steven and Shelley Limmer Shannon Caspersen

 

                                                                                                                                                                       

Sergey Gordeev, Anne Dexter Jones, Elizabeth Papadopolous, and John Sills