Monroe Student Receives Award at Youth America Grand Prix

This weekend a young Monroe man, who is a Senior at Masuk High School and Rockwell Dance Center Company Member – did something extraordinary - he was the first student choreographer at the Youth America Grand Prix to win Best Choreographer for his dance piece, “Oh Comely”.

The Youth America Grand Prix is a prestigious international ballet competition that also accepts contemporary pieces.

Ian Hidalgo, who is a student of Rockwell Dance Center in Trumbull was encouraged by his Artistic Director, Nikole Lachioma (who also won Best Choreographer for all her Ensemble pieces for the third time this year at YAGP) and his Modern instructor, Caroline Fermin (former Gallim Dance member) to go for it!

Mr. Hidalgo was recognized for his ability to move the adjudicators and audience with his dance piece. In all the performing arts, its not good enough just to be proficient at your craft but you have to be able to connect emotionally and make your audience feel. Ian is not only a good dancer but he is an amazing actor and fine arts artist. His goal is to go onto college to pursue his dream of marrying two things he loves, drawing and movement, in his major of Animation.

Rockwell Dance Center and Monroe are proud of this young man who has stepped out of the box and accomplished something to be remembered as a first at YAGP and an unexpected honor for his years of hard work and determination in dance and in the arts. For Ian's acceptance and Interview with YAGP Master of Ceremonies go to Rockwell Dance Center's facebook page!