Four Pre-professional Year students perform in the YAGP International Dance School Festival at Lincoln Center 

Pre-Professional Year students Ivan, Millán, Nanoha and Samantha represented the School at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) International Dance School Festival in New York City on 18 April 2026. The gala featured 10 of the world’s leading ballet schools, including ABT Studio Company and JKO School, Beijing Dance Academy, Houston Ballet II, John Cranko School of The Stuttgart Ballet, La Scala Ballet Academy, Princess Grace Academy, The Rock School for Dance, San Francisco Ballet School and Zurich Dance Academy. 

YAGP is the world’s largest student ballet scholarship audition. As a partner school, The Royal Ballet School sends students to perform at their galas and represent the School to international audiences, prospective students and company representatives. 

Samantha and Ivan performed the Grand Pas Classique adage and coda, which they originally learned for assessment in November and performed at the Chair’s Circle event in January. 

Samantha loved performing the pas again. ‘My favorite memory from this trip was when I was just finishing my fouettés in the coda, and I could hear the audience’s applause growing louder. My excitement grew because I knew I had completed all the challenging sections of the pas de deux. That sense of accomplishment and the thrill of the performance that I felt was truly special, and I will remember it forever.’ 

Ivan and Samantha in Grand Pas Classique. Left photo by LK Studio. 

Ivan also performed Frederick Ashton’s Rhapsody with Nanoha. Nanoha said, ‘It was a great privilege to perform Rhapsody on the iconic Lincoln Center stage. The combination of Rachmaninoff’s beautiful music and Ashton’s lyrical choreography, with its precision and delicate musicality, created an experience that was so magical. The experience was further elevated by my exceptional partner, Ivan. His strength and lyrical quality were especially striking, and the moment of being lifted into the air and seeing the audience from the stage was breathtaking—an experience I will never forget.’ 

‘Grand Pas Classique and Rhapsody are both very challenging,’ said Ivan. ‘I found it interesting that I enjoy them both very much despite them being very different. Grand Pas Classique is a big classic, pure, elegant and technical demonstration whilst Rhapsody happens more by motion, and the music drives you until the end.’ 

Millán and Nanoha performed Millán’s own choreography Anima Mea, which he created for the 2025 Frederick Ashton Emerging Choreographer. Nanoha also performed Anima Mea in Japan with fellow student Wendel for the Youth Grand Prix Japan (YGP) ‘Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow’ Gala.  

‘It has been an absolute dream to dance my choreography at Lincoln Center,’ said Millán. ‘It was originally choreographed on the amazing Wendel and Nanoha. Stepping in to dance it myself has taught me a lot about the differences between what you see from the outside as a choreographer and how steps feel from the inside as a dancer. Dancing with Nanoha has also allowed me to enjoy and connect more deeply with the acting of the piece, which is intended to be joyful and heartfelt. 

Nanoha said, ‘Performing with Millán was such a special privilege. To dance his own creation alongside him was an inspiring experience, and I am deeply grateful to have shared that artistic process with him. My favourite part is the silent communication we share on stage. Dancing with Millán allows his remarkable technique and artistry to come together naturally, and every performance feels as exciting as if it were the very first time.’ 

Millán and Nanoha in Anima Mea. Photos by LK Studio.  

Finally, Millán also performed Anton Dolin’s Variations for Four. ‘I prepared the third solo, which was a pleasure to perform. It has a lovely mix of classical rigour and character dynamics,’ he said. 

The students rehearsed for three weeks before flying to New York, receiving coaching from artistic staff, including Artistic Director Iain Mackay and ballet teachers Jessica Clarke, Kevin Emerton, Valeri Hristov and Zenaida Yanowsky. 

‘Their guidance was supportive, encouraging us to refine every detail while also nurturing our artistic expression,’ said Nanoha. ‘Working with each of them gave me invaluable insights into various aspects of performance, from technical precision to musical awareness and artistry. I am truly grateful for their generous support and dedication throughout the preparation for the gala. Their guidance made the entire process deeply enriching.’ 

Millán added, ‘Once in New York, I also had the chance to work with Mikhail Kaniskin, who helped me understand the context of the style and fine-tune additional details from his experience working at the John Cranko School.’ 

Samantha and Millán said that they felt deep gratitude to Iain and the artistic staff for trusting them to represent the School at Lincoln Center. Ivan added, ‘Representing The Royal Ballet School at the Lincoln Center was incredible. I have had an amazing opportunity to bring their beautiful and unique style that I have learnt and studied for the past three years, and I could not have asked for a better way to do it.’ ‘It was a truly precious and valuable opportunity. I felt a great honour in showcasing the style and training I have received at the School,’ said Nanoha.  

Artistic Director Iain Mackay and the students take photos on stage. 

Iain accompanied the students on the trip, spending five days in the city. Samantha said that their schedule was packed with classes at ABT JKO and the School of American Ballet, rehearsals and a dinner event hosted by YAGP donor Maria Cristina Anzola, but they still had a little time to explore and get iconic souvenirs. Ivan said that seeing Lincoln Center and other iconic New York City sights was a memorable experience. 

Class at American Ballet Theatre Jackie Kennedy Onassis School (ABT JKO). 

They also watched the Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow gala, hosted by Misty Copeland, featuring dancers from American Ballet Theatre, Berlin State Ballet, La Scala Ballet, New York City Ballet and The Royal Ballet. Millán said, ‘Getting to know dancers with different styles from all around the world was incredibly inspiring, and performing at the David H. Koch Theater was a dream come true. The whole experience has been an enormous gift and one I will remember forever.’ 

Left: A group photo of the International Dance School Festival gala student performers. Right: Millán, Nanoha, Samantha and Ivan pose together.

Catja Christensen is the Marketing and Communications Executive at The Royal Ballet School and joined the School in 2025. She enjoys interviewing students, staff and guest artists for news stories and crafting eye-catching newsletters.