https://yagp.org/yagp-2025-indianapolis-in-winners

The Grand Prix Award is presented to the most outstanding dancer in the Senior age category (15-19 years old), and Southold’s very own, Morgan Taylor, received this prestigious honor. She, along with our large ensemble, was invited to the International Finals in Tampa, FL! We have not had a large ensemble be invited to finals in a decade!

Watch Morgan’s stunning performance via the link below:

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When asked how poetry has changed for her since she started competing in Poetry Out Loud, Baxter said, “Performing poetry is not just about a formal recital of the words but getting to know them and communicating that knowledge to the audience.”

Out of the 157,000 students that participated in Poetry Out Loud nationwide this school year, 55 state and territorial winners will compete for the national champion title and a $20,000 cash prize. On Tuesday, May 6, one champion from every state and American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will compete in the national semifinals. Each poem recitation will be judged on criteria including physical presence, voice and articulation, interpretation, evidence of understanding, overall performance, and accuracy. The top three students from each semifinal, nine in total, will move on to the National Finals on May 7.

The semifinals and finals will take place at the Lisner Auditorium at the George Washington University and will be available through a one-time only webcast at Arts.gov/Poetry-Out-Loud.

Visit PoetryOutLoud.org for the list of the 2025 Poetry Out Loud champions who will take part in the competition.

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Youth America Grand Prix Chicago Semifinals – Weekend 1   

On January 26, our company dancer Morgan Taylor participated in the YAGP semifinals in  Chicago. Performing there allowed Morgan to get stage time in preparation for Prix De  Lausanne. Besides stage time, Morgan received 1st place in the Senior Classical Division and  Top 12 in the Senior Contemporary Division.  

We are very proud of her and happy to continue representing Southold’s talent and training at  the highest level. 

Morgan has been invited to participate in the international finals in Tampa, FL. 

Youth America Grand Prix Chicago Semifinals – Weekend 2   

On February 8, our company dancer Emma Bontrager participated in the YAGP semifinals in Chicago. Besides stage time, Emma received Top 24 in the Senior Classical Division. We are very proud of her for representing Southold! 

Youth America Grand Prix Indianapolis  

Twenty-one dancers will participate in the YAGP Indianapolis Regionals from March 13 through  March 16. They will represent Southold with 15 classical solos, 10 contemporary solos, and two ensembles.

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More information can be found through the  following link: https://arosieplace.org/sweethearts-ball/

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Learn more at: www.momix.com

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Southold’s name appeared on screens and was spoken many times during the competition’s live streaming, which the entire ballet world tuned in to watch, as they went into detail about Morgan’s technique and facts about her. Morgan represented Southold and our community with grace and technical excellence. Prominent names in the industry noticed her. We are very proud of her and Calin’s work. 

She has received full scholarships to Houston Ballet School and American Ballet Theater JKO School for their year-round programs and a summer intensive scholarship to San Francisco Ballet School. 

On February 5th, Julianne Grohowski, an ABC57 anchor, and Southold Alumni, interviewed  Morgan and Calin via Zoom while in Lausanne. The segment aired on February 13.  

Ballerina From the Bend, ABC57s Julianne Grohowski sits down with a local ballerina

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SOUTH BEND, IN (January 31, 2025) – Southold Dance Theater, one of the region’s longest-running cultural institutions, announces its milestone 50^th anniversary season, marking half a century of promoting artistic excellence and dance education in the Michiana area.

Founded in 1975, the nonprofit organization has evolved into a nationally recognized pre-professional dance company and the resident dance company at the Morris Performing Arts Center. Throughout its history, the organization has helped launch numerous professional dance careers while making the performing arts accessible to diverse populations throughout the community.

“For 50 years, Southold Dance Theater has been dedicated to nurturing emerging talent and enriching our community through the art of dance,” said Sarah Taylor, Executive Director of Southold Dance Theater. “Our 2025 season showcases both our commitment to providing high-quality dance education and performances that inspire audiences of all ages and our vision for the future of dance in our region.”

The anniversary year features an impressive lineup of performances and special events, including:

• A Spring Showcase at Saint Mary’s College O’Laughlin Auditorium on March 8
• A full-length production of “The Sleeping Beauty” at The Morris Performing Arts Center, May 23-25
• A special 50th Anniversary Celebration Gala and Showcase featuring alumni, current students, and area dance groups in late May
• The annual Summer Showcase at Chris Wilson Pavilion in Potawatomi Park on August 9
• The beloved holiday tradition of “The Nutcracker” at The Morris Performing Arts Center, December 5-7

Special events throughout the year include a new Ballerina Brunch scheduled for April and the popular Nutcracker Tea at The Palais Royale Ballroom on November 9.

For more information about Southold Dance Theater’s 50th anniversary season and upcoming performances, please visit SoutholdDance.org.

About Southold Dance Theater
Located in South Bend, Indiana, Southold Dance Theater is a nationally recognized pre-professional ballet company celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025. A nonprofit organization, Southold provides exceptional dance training and performance opportunities, preparing many of its dancers for prestigious dance institutions and professional careers.

As the resident company at the Morris Performing Arts Center, Southold enriches the community with high-quality performances. Through educational outreach and public performances, Southold continues to inspire and bring the joy of dance to new audiences.

For more information about Southold Dance Theater, visit SoutholdDance.org.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Sarah Taylor
Executive Director
Southold Dance Theater
574-233-9841
Sarah@SoutholdDance.org

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Out of the 445 international applicants who submitted video audition materials this year, 75 dancers were chosen to participate. Eleven candidates were preselected, for a grand total of 85 competitors in 2025, hailing from 23 countries.

Competing at the Prix will be Morgan Taylor’s first time traveling abroad. “I’m so grateful to be able to attend, as it has been a dream of mine,” she writes. Taylor has been training at Southold Dance Theater for 12 years, beginning at age 4. She will be performing the third Shade variation from La Bayadère in Lausanne and looks forward to meeting her fellow dancers and working with the competition’s faculty and coaches.

Source: https://pointemagazine.com/american-ballet-dancers-2025-prix-de-lausanne/

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