Grand Jeté

South Carolina's Student Ballet and Modern/Contemporary Dance Competition and More!

It's Grand Jeté Competition weekend! View the program here.

March 20-26, 2023

Ballet students, ages 10-19, are invited to compete for cash prizes and participate in master classes, audition classes, and a dance recruiting fair during Grand Jeté, presented by the SC Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities. All events are open to both competitors and non-competitors.

Participants compete by age group divisions:

• Pre-Competitive (Ballet only) - ages 10-12
• Junior Division (Ballet and/or Modern/Contemporary) - ages 13-15
• Senior Division (Ballet and/or Modern/Contemporary) - ages 16-19

This year’s Grand Jeté will take place over six days on March 20-26, 2023, and will be in person for South Carolina student competitors and non-competitors, adjudicators, audition, and master class teachers. Recruiters and SC dance teachers can participate in person or via Zoom.

Grand Jeté 2023 reserves the right to cancel at any time. In the event of a cancellation due to Inclement Weather, Grand Jeté will not be rescheduled.

2023 Adjudicators

Christy Corbitt Krieger

Louisville Ballet School Principal, and Co-Associate Artistic Director of the Louisville Ballet Studio Company

Originally from Atlanta, Christy Corbitt Krieger finished her fifteenth and final season with Louisville Ballet in 2018. Some favorite classical roles with the Company include principal roles in La Bayadere, Les Sylphides, and the title role in Giselle. She also enjoyed dancing a wide variety of contemporary and neo-classical work including ballets by George Balanchine, Helen Pickett, Paul Taylor, Adam Hougland, Ma Cong, and Ben Stevenson, OBE.

Prior to joining the Louisville Ballet she danced with the Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Memphis, and Texas Ballet Theatre where she performed title roles in Cinderella and Giselle. Christy has performed with Fort Worth’s renowned Casa Manana Theatre Company in productions of West Side Story, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Oklahoma and in Louisville with Derby Dinner Playhouse as Victoria the White Cat in Cats. A favorite musical theater experience was performing Christine in A Chorus Line with CenterStage in Louisville.

Upon retirement, Christy assumed her current role as School Principal for The Louisville Ballet School. She has oversight of curriculum and programming, faculty management, student services and School productions. Christy also serves as Co-Associate Artistic Director of Louisville Ballet Studio Company.

Kurt Douglas

Associate Professor of Dance at Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Kurt A. Douglas is a graduate of New York’s LaGuardia High School of Music Art & the Performing Arts. Originally from Guyana, South America, Douglas earned a B.F.A. in dance from Boston Conservatory and an M.F.A. in dance from Hollins University in association with the American Dance Festival, Frankfurt Conservatory of Performing Arts, and the Forsythe Company. After graduating from the Conservatory, Kurt joined the Limón Dance Company, where he performed in many of Limón’s most influential works.

He received a 2002 Princess Grace Award and was honored by an invitation to perform for the royal family of Monaco. In 2007, Douglas became the first African American to portray Iago in The Moor's Pavane, José Limón's most famous work. Kurt was named one of Dance Magazine’s "Top 25 to Watch” in the January 2006 issue. He danced from 2002 to 2007 in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and joined Ballet Hispánico from 2005 to 2006 under the direction of Tina Ramirez. In 2009 he joined the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company during their 40th anniversary season, touring throughout the United States and Asia. In 2011 he began touring with the Tony Award-winning musical A Chorus Line throughout the United States, Japan, Singapore, and Australia.

Kurt Douglas joined the Boston Conservatory at Berklee faculty in 2015 where he is an instructor of technique, repertory, critical theory, and pedagogy for modern dance. Kurt also serves as artistic director for the Boston Conservatory at Berklee’s Summer Dance Intensive. Kurt reconstructed A Choreographic Offering for the Limón 71st Anniversary Season in 2017, and he continues to reconstruct and stage Limón's work all over the world. Kurt also serves on faculty with the Limón for Kids Program and the Limón Institute in New York City, the official school of the Limón Dance Foundation.

In 2017, Kurt was invited to perform for the Boston Conservatory’s 150th Anniversary Gala at Symphony Hall hosted by Alan Cummings. Some guest artist credits include Aszure Barton & Artists, Prometheus Dance Company, Thang Dao Dance Company, Buglisi Dance Theatre, Dzul Dance Theatre, and the Sean Curran Dance Company.

Douglas remains deeply invested in his teaching practices, conducting Limón Dance workshops in Haiti, France, England, Australia, and Mexico, and across the United States in New York City, Boston, Salt Lake City, Portland, Philadelphia, and Sioux Falls. He has also taught workshops at institutions such as Harvard University, Dallas Black Dance Theater, Southern Methodist University, the Juilliard School, SUNY Purchase, SUNY Brockport, Skidmore College, and Festival Ballet Providence School.

Sirui Liu

Principal dancer, Cincinnati Ballet

Sirui Liu began her ballet training with the Shanghai Dance School in the year 2000. After 7 years of training, Sirui continued her studies at the Shanghai Dance College of Shanghai Theater Academy for four years and graduated with Honors and a Bachelor’s degree in Arts. In 2011, Sirui started her professional career in the United States with the Cincinnati Ballet as a Corp de Ballet member. She quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted to Principal Dancer with the company in 2017.

Through her career, Ms. Liu has won several awards. In 2009, she won the gold medal at the Ninth Taolibei National Dance Competition in China. She then won the gold medal at the Beijing International Ballet Competition in China in 2010. Sirui was also included in Dance Magazine’s Top 25 Dancers to Watch in 2017.

Ms. Liu has been fortunate to have an international career. In 2011, she was invited to dance in the Hong Kong Ballet’s production of Swan Lake. In 2016, she danced in the Gala “Night of Ballet” in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Sirui was also a Guest Principal with the Los Angeles Ballet’s production of Bloom in 2022.

Sirui’s extensive repertoire includes dancing classical pas de deux such as Black Swan, Giselle, Don Quixote, Esmeralda, Diana and Acteon, Le Corsaire, Paquita, and Coppelia. Ms. Liu has also performed principal roles for instance Odette and Odile in Swan Lake, Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen in Nutcracker, Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, Waltz girl in Balanchine’s Serenade, Tall girl in Balanchine’s Rubies, Cinderella, The Chosen One in Rite of Spring, Minus 16, Carmina Burana, amongst many other ballets.

Sirui has also worked with internationally acclaimed choreographers such as William Forsythe, Annabelle Lope Ochoa, Helen Pickett, Val Caniparoli, Justin Peck, Alejandro Cerrudo, Nicolo Fonte, Garrett Smith, Septime Webre, Yuri Possokhov, Kirk Peterson, Trey Mcintyre, Ohad Naharin, Jennifer Archibald, Edwaard Liang, Ma Cong, Travis Wall, etc.

Ms. Liu was an adjudicator member in The World Ballet Art Competition Grand Prix in Indiana region in 2019. She has also taught in various schools in the US and China most notably in The Cincinnati Ballet Academy, Shanghai Dance College, South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, the Pennsylvania Ballet Conservatory. 

Participating Recruiters

We're happy to announce that representatives from the following schools are seeking talented dancers during Grand Jeté's audition classes this year!

• Anderson University - In Person
• Charlotte Ballet Academy - In Person
• Coker University -Virtual
• College of Charleston -Virtual
• Columbia College Dance Program – In Person
• Dean College – In Person
• The Hartt School, University of Hartford – In Person
• Kennesaw State University - In Person
• New World School of the Arts -In Person
• Orlando Ballet School - Virtual
• Palmetto City Ballet – In Person
• Radford University – Virtual
• Royal Winnipeg Ballet School - Virtual
• University of Missouri/Kansas City – In Person
• University of Oklahoma School of Dance - In Person
• University of South Florida – Virtual 
• University of Utah – Virtual

2023 Participation Guidelines

Below is an overview of the guidelines to participate in Grand Jeté. Students do not have to compete to participate in the recruiting fair, master classes or audition classes.

Eligibility

Grand Jeté is happy to announce that it will not limit the number of participants per school.

Grand Jeté welcomes dance students from throughout the state of South Carolina. All participants must be attending elementary, middle or high school in South Carolina at the time of the competition.  

• Participants must be full-time residents of the state of South Carolina to apply and to participate.
• Grand Jeté is open to dance students, ages 10–19 as of January 1 of the event year.  
• Proof of age and SC state residency eligibility may be requested. 

Grand Jeté is an equal opportunity organization and does not discriminate based on race, nationality, age, sex and non-disqualifying physical disability.  

Deadlines

Early Registration: December 1, 2022

Regular Registration: February 1, 2023.

See below for discounts for early registration. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. A minimum number of participants may be required in order for this event to take place. Registration will close when Grand Jeté reaches its maximum capacity. Additional applicants will be placed on a waitlist.  

Fees

No entry is guaranteed until payment has been processed. A confirmation will be sent to each studio for their records and approval.

Early Registration (December 1, 2022)

 

• Competitor Registration Fee: $75.00, includes master classes and audition classes
• Solo Fee:  $60.00 per solo. Maximum of three  solos-either two classical ballet variations and one  contemporary solo or two contemporary solos and  one classical ballet 
• Non-Competitors Registration Fee: $60.00, includes  master classes and audition classes

Regular Registration (February 1, 2023)

• Competitor Registration Fee: $90.00,  includes  master classes and audition classes
• Solo Fee:  $70.00 per solo. Maximum of three  solos-either two classical ballet variations and one  contemporary solo or two contemporary solos and  one classical ballet 
• Non-Competitors Registration Fee: $70.00, includes master classes and audition classes
• Information Sessions: Free of charge

Refunds

• Registration fees (including competitor and non-competitor) will not be refunded under any circumstances, unless Grand Jeté is canceled. 
• Solo fee refunds are given only in the event of physical injury or illness. All refund requests must be accompanied by a doctor’s note with ink signature and office letterhead. 

Categories

Note: Each student may compete in a maximum of three solos: two ballet and one contemporary or two contemporary and one ballet.

• Classical Ballet Solos 
  The competitor will perform a variation selected from the classical ballet repertoire list provided. 
  
  The Pre-Competitive Age Division students are allowed to modify and/or simplify the variations to fit their technical level or may select a solo that is not represented on the Repertoire list, but must be a dance age and skill-appropriate choreographed ‘classical’ ballet piece. For the safety and wellness of our Grand Jeté Competitors, we strongly discourage the Pre-Competitive participants from dancing on pointe.
• Contemporary Solos and Student Choreography
  Contemporary Dance is a genre of concert dance that may include principles of various dance styles such as classical and neo-classical ballet, modern dance, postmodern dance, and others. Some of the dance styles may include theoretical concepts and philosophies from pioneers such as Martha Graham, Pina Bausch, Mary Wigman, Ted Shawn, and Alvin Ailey to name a few.
  
  Competitors may perform and/or choreograph their contemporary solo on or off pointe.
  
  Jazz and lyrical dance may be integrated, as the choreography may require. However, tap, hip hop, and similar dance is not permitted in the performance.
  
  If applicable, for original or protected choreography not in public domain, it is the responsibility of the competitor, competitor’s parent, teacher or coach to obtain all required choreographers and/or musical releases, and to pay any required royalties.
• Student Choreography - Solo only
  Competitors are encouraged to submit their own choreographic works.
  
  Student Choreography will be adjudicated on Originality, Creativity, Musically, Execution, Style, Character, Personality, use of Time (Rhythm, Speed, Syncopation), use of Energy (Quality of Movements) and use of Space.

Competitor Details

Headshot
All competitors must submit a current headshot. Headshots need to be submitted to grandjete@scgsah.org no later than February 1, 2023.

Time Limits
Ballet variation choices must be selected from Grand Jeté’s Ballet repertoire list, and contemporary solos are limited to a maximum time of 2:30 minutes in length. Though bows are not included in the 2:30 time, please refrain from bowing unless your solo finishes on stage.

Costumes
Costumes are encouraged and must be provided by the competitor/competitor’s school. 

Props
Please note that all props used by participants are used at the participant’s own risk.

Grand Jeté is not responsible for any injury or incident resulting from a participant’s use of props of their choice.

The use of props must be pre-approved by Grand Jeté and must be identified at the time of registration. Performers may not use dangerous props or props that could damage the venue or harm people.

There is no storage space for props off stage and Grand Jeté does not provide assistance with the movement of props on or off the stage. Parents, teachers or coaches are responsible for maintaining control of props off stage and bringing the props on and off the stage in a timely manner not to exceed 1 minute. The stage must be cleaned and cleared of any props immediately after the performance and the props removed from the wings.

Music
Competitors are required to provide their own music using an MP3 file. Music is to be uploaded online as part of registration by February 1, 2023. All music must be cued properly and must be recorded at the competitors’ desired speed. Please note that no adjustments can be made at the competition. Music must be labeled as “ Last Name First Name Solo Title”. 

Studio owners must have available a recorded copy of their music that can be sent via email to morganpatterson@scgsah.org, in case the downloaded music malfunctions. The music must be cued properly and must be recorded at the competitors’ desired speed. Please note that no adjustments can be made at the competition. If applicable the competing student, student’s parent, teacher or coach is responsible for obtaining any required musical releases and is responsible for the payment of any royalties.

Lighting
A general warm wash will be provided to all competitors. No special lighting requests will be granted.

Video & Photography
Absolutely no photography or videography is permitted by participants, visitors or any other person other than those designated by Grand Jeté.  
All participants must complete and submit the Grand Jeté Photo and Video Release Form. Registration will only be completed once the Photo and Video Release Form has been submitted. 

Repertoire
Download the Repertoire List 

Changes to Entries
All changes to the originally submitted entries must be received in writing seven days prior to the competition. No verbal requests will be honored.

Adjudication Scoring

There will be three adjudicators that are out-of-state internationally recognized dance professionals. The scoring system is based on Technique and Artistry with each having a 100-point value. Each judge’s final score is then the average of the technical and artistic marks. The average score given by each of the three judges will be added together to produce a final score out of a possible 300 points.

Grand Jeté utilizes the most advanced technology available for judging and tabulation of scores. While watching the competitors, each judge will simultaneously and individually record oral critiques, comments and encouraging remarks into the state-of-the-art adjudicating software. When the competition is completed, the tabulator will record the score of the participant.

Studio owners and independent competitors will have access to each adjudicator’s oral comments on each of the competitors through the registration portal following the competition.

Awards

The decision of the Adjudicators is final. The Adjudicators reserve the right to withhold awarding one or more prizes if the performances do not meet a certain standard.  Grand Jeté reserves the right to cancel any award prior to the competition if a minimum number of competitors are not participating.

FIRST PLACE: $500.00 
Four will be awarded: one for best score in Classical Ballet for seniors, one for best score in Contemporary dance for seniors, one for best score in Classical Ballet for juniors, and one for best score in Contemporary dance for juniors.

• Senior Category - Highest score of 270 or above applies to both Classical Ballet and Contemporary Dance
• Junior Category - Highest score of 265 or above applies to both Classical Ballet and Contemporary Dance

SECOND PLACE: $300.00 
Four will be awarded: one for best score in Classical Ballet for seniors, one for best score in Contemporary dance for seniors, one for best score in Classical ballet for juniors, and one for best score in Contemporary dance for juniors.

• Senior Category - Highest score of 260 or above applies to both Classical ballet and Contemporary Dance 
• Junior Category - Highest score of 255 or above applies to both Classical ballet and Contemporary Dance

THIRD PLACE: $150.00 
Four will be awarded: one for best score in Classical Ballet for seniors, one for best score in Contemporary dance for seniors, one for best score in Classical ballet for juniors, and one for best score in Contemporary dance for juniors.

• Senior Category - Highest score of 250 or above applies to both Classical ballet and Contemporary Dance  
• Junior Category - Highest score of 245 or above applies to both Classical ballet and Contemporary Dance

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD: $500.00 
Tuition scholarship for the 2023 South Carolina Summer Dance Conservatory in Columbia, SC. Awarded to the junior student with the highest score.

• Highest score of 265 or above

THE PROMISE AWARD: $200.00
Two will be awarded for the best score in Classical Ballet for pre-competitive, one for a female student competitor and one for a male student competitor. A minimum of 4 competitors must be registered for this award to be given.

• Highest score of 235 or above

MALE DANCER AWARD: $200.00
One will be awarded for the best score for a junior or senior male dancer in either Classical Ballet or Contemporary. A minimum of 3 male competitors must be registered for this award to be given

• Highest score of 235 or above

STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY AWARD: $150.00 
One will be awarded based on the adjudicators’ choice.  A minimum of 3 competitors must be registered for this award to be given. 

• Adjudicators’ choice

HONORABLE MENTION: Gift Certificates of $100 each from The Sock Basket. Two will be awarded.

• Adjudicators’ choice

Each competitor will receive a Certificate of Participation.

Master Classes - Ages 10-15

Master classes for ages 10-15, (Grades 4-10)
Grand Jeté Master Classes are included in the competitor’s registration fee and are $60(early registration) and $70 (regular registration) for non-competitors.
  
For students in grades 4-10, master classes will be held in person for dance students. Recruiters can view in person or via Zoom access. 

Audition Classes - Ages 15-19

Audition classes for ages 15-19 (Grades 11 & 12) 
Grand Jeté Audition Classes are included in the competitor’s registration fee and are $60(early registration) and $70 (regular registration) for non-competitors.  

For students in grades 11 and 12, audition classes will be held in person for dance students. Recruiters can view in person or via Zoom access. Teachers and parents are not permitted in audition classes. 

Selected University and Trainee dance program recruiters from across the nation will observe the competition as well as the audition classes. The audition classes will be used to recruit seniors, to offer scholarships, to invite for  Summer Intensives and to personally invite some juniors to audition for their programs the following year.  

Recruiters will be looking at criteria such as potential,  technique and artistry, response to correction,  coordination, and musicality.  

In the Competition, students will be assigned a number for each solo they perform. In the Audition Classes, students must wear the first number that was allocated to them and must wear it for the duration of the audition. 

Teachers and parents are not permitted in Audition Classes.

Virtual Information Sessions

Open to competitors and non-competitors ages 15- 19 (grades 10-12), these free information sessions will be presented by selected university and trainee dance program recruiters. Sessions will occur virtually, March 20 – 23. 

Workshops for Private Studio Teachers

Teacher workshops providing in-person instruction on  Beginning Ballet, Intermediate/Advanced Ballet, and Intermediate/Advanced Contemporary are offered free of charge. More details to come!

Workshops for K-12 Public School Teachers

These workshops are offered through the SCGSAH Office of Outreach and will be taught in person with the option of Zoom access for teachers. More details to come!

Grand Jeté Payment

For questions, contact:
Adair Kempf, Event Coordinator
grandjete@scgsah.org