Smyrna Ballet School Wins Big

SMYRNA, GA -- Cobb County's International School of Ballet recently placed in the top 12 out of 127 schools in the world finals of the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) in New York City.

Of more than 125 ensembles from around the world, the school was one of only four from the United States to place in the top 12, along with such powerhouses as Ellison Ballet, Ballet West and The Rock School for Dance Education.

The school will be hosting a performance of "Giselle" this Saturday, starring sixteen-year-old Katie Stevens.

YAGP is the largest, most prestigious and most challenging ballet competition for young people in the United States today. The international organization also hosts events in Belgium, France, Italy, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Japan and China.

For the past two years, the International City School of Ballet has been chosen Outstanding School in the Atlanta region by the Youth America Grand Prix.

Saturday's production is at 7 p.m. at the Cobb County Civic Center. Tickets are $15 and $20 and can be purchased online at www.icsballet.ticketleap.com/giselle.

Image: Rachel Neville Photography NYC