By Inna Pilevich: 13-year-old ballerina Alesya Astashonok from Minsk has advanced to the final of Youth America Grand Prix, a prestigious international dance competition. The dancer took the 2nd place in the junior division of the semi-finals. Astashonok has already returned from the US and is preparing for the next stage at the Belarusian State Choreographic Gymnasium-College.
This year’s competition features 3,500 participants from around the world. The semi-finals took place not only in the US, but also in France, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Mexico and Australia. Alesya Astashonok performed variations from the ballets Le Corsaire and Raymonda.
Last season, the 13-year-old Belarusian took the 3rd place at the Tanzolymp competition in Berlin and won gold and bronze at the dance festival in Spoleto, Italy. Astashonok is a scholarship holder of the Belarusian President’s Special Fund for Talented Youth Support.
The Youth America Grand Prix final will take place next month in New York. Its winners will receive scholarships. The total prize money of the competition exceeds 300,000 dollars.
