DALA’s 12 Youth America Grand Prix participants are top, from left, coaches Rachel Zervakos and Jonathan Guise. Second Row: Jane Mocko, Jana Gauss, Emily Huang, Jasper Lee, third Row: Ariana Kimball, Anabel Irving, Olivia Haroz, front Row: Sierra Esquibel, Luisa Schmitz, Ciara Hinrichs, Margaret Kelley, Hannah Lee. Photo Courtesy DALA
DALA’s Margaret Kelley performs her classical variation onstage at the Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Final competition in Denver, CO. Photo Courtesy DALA
DALA’s dancers perform “Antagonize,” choreographed by Jonathan Guise and Rachel Zervakos, onstage at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Regional Semi-Final competition in Denver, CO. Photo Courtesy DALA
The DALA Ensemble cast from left, Luisa Schmitz, Ciara Hinrichs, Jasper Lee, Anabel Irving, Jana Gauss, Margaret Kelley, and Ariana Kimball. Photo Courtesy DALA
DALA NEWS RELEASE
Dance Arts Los Alamos attended the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Regional Semi-Final competition in Denver, CO from February 27-March 2, 2025. Twelve selected dancers began preparing for this competition beginning in May 2024, and for 10 months, honed skills and choreography in order to represent DALA among 10,000 participants competing in YAGP globally. The DALA Dancers were coached by DALA Artistic Director Jonathan Guise, Rehearsal Director Rachel Zervakos, Associate Director Karina Wilder and the incredible DALA faculty on classical solos, contemporary solos, and a group ensemble piece.
DALA’s Large Ensemble piece, “Antagonize,” choreographed by Jonathan Guise and Rachel Zervakos, received one of the Top 6 scores for Large Ensemble at the competition. DALA dancer and Los Alamos High School student Margaret Kelley was recognized with placement in the Top 24 in the Senior Classical Division for her performance of her classical variation, and was also awarded a summer scholarship opportunity.
In an historic achievement for DALA, the Ensemble piece has been invited to the YAGP international Finals in Tampa, Florida next month. The Ensemble cast, composed of dancers Jana Gauss, Ciara Hinrichs, Anabel Irving, Margaret Kelley, Ariana Kimball, Jasper Lee, and Luisa Schmitz, will travel to Tampa to perform the piece among the 1,500 participants selected to advance to the final round of the international competition. They will share the stage with dancers from all over the world, and will be the only representatives from New Mexico! In addition to performing, the dancers will have the opportunity to study with world-renowned master teachers and experience professional networking and development at the week-long Finals event.
Congratulations to all of these remarkable dancers! Please consider supporting DALA’s nonprofit programs, which serve over 300 students in Los Alamos and surrounding communities by donating online. Celebrate and support DALA at the upcoming Spring Gala Event on Sunday, April 27 at 7:00pm at Fuller Lodge (more information here) and don’t miss the world premiere of Jonathan Guise’s original three-act ballet, La Lune de Bleu, coming to Duane Smith Auditorium on Friday, May 2 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, May 4 at 2:00pm (more information on La Lune de Bleu).