Shoreline Student To Dance At Youth America Grand Prix Finals In New York City

Dance student Anna Vescovi, will compete as a finalist in the international Youth America Grand Prix ballet competition in New York City April 10-16. Vescovi is a student and senior company member at Eastern Connecticut Ballet in East Lyme, Conn.

In early February, the 15-year-old Branford resident qualified as a top 12 finalist in both the Contemporary and Classical Ballet categories. The Semi Final Round for Youth America Grand Prix was held in Boston Feb. 6-8.

A sophomore at Branford High School, Vescovi has been dancing since the age of five and trains with Eastern Connecticut Ballet’s Artistic Director, Gloria Govrin. Ms. Govrin, a former soloist with New York City Ballet, is considered one of the leading masters of ballet technique today.

“Anna’s expression and musicality is something you don’t often see in young dancers,” says Govrin. “When you give her choreography, she makes it her own and is a vivacious dancer. She is constantly trying to improve.”

Youth America Grand Prix’s mission is to support and develop world-class dancers ages 9-19 by providing scholarship auditions and educational and performance opportunities. The organization strives to serve as the global network of dance, connecting students, teachers, schools, dance companies and audiences.

Eastern Connecticut Ballet, a school for classical ballet based in East Lyme, attracts students from more than 40 towns throughout the eastern part of the state. Known for its annual production of The Nutcracker in New London, ECB brings other original works to the stage throughout the year and performs with local orchestras as well. Vescovi can be seen in the role of Pierrette in ECB’s production of The Magic Toy Shoppe. Performances are May 9 and 10 at 3 pm at Old Lyme High School. More information is available at easternctballet.com or by calling 860-739-7899.

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