First Position: Where are they now?

The Dancers of First Position: Where are they now?

(This is really just a compilation of information I've been trying to find for a while, mostly for my own interest, but I hope some of you can find it interesting as well :) )

One of my favourite documentaries is First Position. Released in 2011, it features a collection of dancers (all American or American-trained) and their experience at the Youth America Grand Prix. It's been three years since these dancers were shown, and I was curious - what are they all up to now?

Miko Fogarty

In First Position: 12-year-old Miko won the bronze medal in the women's 12-14 division.

Now: Of all of the featured dancers, Miko has probably had the most competitive success, including a Gold Medal at IBC Moscow in 2013. Now 16, she continues to achieve high-placing results at international ballet competitions. She currently represents Switzerland, having represented the United States in First Position.

Links:

Giselle 2013: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJJoR2U8-A8&list=UU6w8dv7qmGxI_BZTZ89eV6w

Esmerelda 2013: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50lAMbJUXfc&list=UU6w8dv7qmGxI_BZTZ89eV6w

Michaela DePrince

In First Position: 14-year-old Sierra Leone-born Michaela was fighting through a painful injury at the YAGP, and at the end of the competition came out with a scholarship to the American Ballet Theatre. 

Now: Now at age 18, Michaela has danced with Dance Theatre of Harlem, and is now a part of Het Nationale Ballet's Junior Company in Holland. 

Links:

Michaela Performing on Dancing with the Stars in 2012: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b70QqMXAFk

'La Valse' 2013: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mdswPb7J_I

Rebecca Houseknecht 

In First Position: Rebecca did not come out of the YAGP with a job contract, as was hoped. Two months after the conclusion of the competition, she was offered a contract with the Washington Ballet. 

Now: After a year and a half at the Washington Ballet, Rebecca quit serious ballet training. She is currently a Health-Care Management Major at Towson University and dances on the University's dance team. 

Gaya in 2013

Gaya Bommer Yemini

In First Position: Gaya, age 11 and from Israel, won a bronze medal in the 9-11 women's division. She was not directly featured in the documentary, but they spent more time on Gaya than on Miko's brother Jules, and I like her dancing, so I wanted to include her. 

Now: At the 2011 YAGP competition, Gaya received a scholarship for the Princess Grace Classical Dance Academy in Monaco. She has performed roles in their professional company, and is still training there. 

Links: 

'Cartoon Girl', 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7vaJrbpC0E
Princess Grace Academy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcademiedeDansePrincesseGrace/photos/pb.220444404672839.-2207520000.1405548500./630968133620462/?type=3&theater

Aran Bell

Aran in 2013

In First Position: Aran, 11, an American dancer who trains in Italy, won the "best overall performance" award in the 9-11 division. 

Now: Age 15 as of October 2013, Aran has danced with the company Intermezzo in New York (photo on right). At one point, he was asked to play Billy in Billy Elliot, but turned it down to focus on his dance training. Very little other information exists online about Aran.

Links:

Coppelia, 2012: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFM-qm-1wBQ

Joan Sebastian Zamora

In First Position: Colombian Joan Sebastian finished the competition with a Scholarship to the Royal Ballet School in the United Kingdom. 

Now: Joan Sebastian is listed as being an Artist of the Company at the English National Ballet, which he joined in 2013. He previously danced in Firebird and The Nutcracker at the Royal Ballet. I had the pleasure of seeing Joan Sebastian dance in the ensemble of ENB's Lest We Forget; while not a soloist, from what I saw he did an amazing job, and he's come very far indeed! 

Links:

English National Ballet Profile: http://www.ballet.org.uk/the-company/dancers/joan-sebastian-zamora/