Four School of Dance Students and One KNIGA Student Win Awards at 2026 YAGP

Five students from the School of Dance and the Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts (KNIGA) at K-Arts achieved outstanding results at the 2026 Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), held at the Wortham Theater Center in Houston, the United States, from May 10 to 18.

Established in 2000, the YAGP is the world’s largest ballet competition and is often referred to as the Olympics for aspiring ballet dancers. The competition, which is usually held annually in New York, is open to candidates between the ages of 9 and 19. It has recognized emerging ballet dancers in a range of categories, including classical ballet, classical ballet pas de deux, corps de ballet, and contemporary ballet. This year, approximately 15,000 dancers from around the world competed, and about 2,000 from 36 countries advanced to the final round.

In the senior pas de deux category, Kim Minjin, a 20-year-old student in the Department of Dance Performance, and Ku Seongmo, also 20 and in the Department of Dance Performance, won first prize.

In the senior female solo category, Jeong Ara, a first-year student at Sunhwa Arts High School and a KNIGA student, took first place. Kim Minjin, a 20-year-old student in the Department of Dance Performance, and Lee Seryeong, a 19-year-old student in the Department of Dance Performance, placed in the Top 12. Additionally, Lee Naheun, an 18-year-old student in the Department of Dance Performance, was named a finalist.

In the senior male solo category, Son Minkyun, an 18-yaer-old student in the Department of Dance Performance, won second prize, and Ku Seongmo, a 20-year-old student in the Department of Dance Performance, placed in the Top 12.

This year’s jury included about 30 ballet professionals, among them Emeritus Professor Kim Sunhee (School of Dance, K-Arts), Julie Kent (Artistic Director of Houston Ballet), Iain Mackay (Artistic Director of the Royal Ballet School), Luca Masala (Artistic Director of the Princess Grace Academy in Monaco), and Tadeusz Matacz (Artistic Director of the John Cranko School in Stuttgart)