Sierra Nevada Ballet Showcases Young Dancers from Northern Nevada in the Youth America Grand Prix

Published January 2, 2026

Sierra Nevada Ballet Showcases Young Dancers from Northern Nevada in the Youth America Grand Prix

Sierra Nevada Ballet Academy (awarded “Best Ballet School in Reno” for eight consecutive years) is proud to be a part of the northern Nevada community’s superior arts education.

SNBA was founded in 2012 as part of the professional SNB company (founded in 2001) to train young students age three through adult in the art of professional level ballet. This year the SNB Academy has invited six students (age 10 to 16) to perform in the 2026 Youth America Grand Prix Semifinals.

Youth America Grand Prix is a New York-based nonprofit dance education organization whose mission is to support and develop world-class dancers, ages 9 to 19. Now in its 26^th year, YAGP serves over 15,000 annually and has reached more than 250,000 talented young dancers worldwide. More than $5 million has been awarded at YAGP in scholarships and more than 500 YAGP alumni are now dancing with 100 professional companies around the world, including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Paris Opera Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Washington Ballet, and many others.

Filer image element — Costume Rehearsals for 6 SNB YAGP contestants (left to right: Molly Glum, Mara Weir, Rebecca Stengel, Dalia Palacio, LuLu Weir, Olivia Vasquez)

YAGP was recommended to me by the late, great international Master Ballet teacher, David Howard. While I do not believe in artists competing against one another, I feel that being exposed to other talented artists can help train a strong work ethic, inspire greatness, and significantly contribute to the general technical and artistic improvement - especially in younger dancers.

Each of SNBA’s six students has a different strength and has been privately coached by SNB Associate Artistic Director Ananda Bena-Weber and me to perform a suitable traditional classical ballet solo variation which highlights their individual talent and skill level.

12-year-old Molly Glum is excited to perform the Cupid Variation from Don Quixote: “I love the opportunity to expand my knowledge of ballet by performing a classical ballet solo.”

14-year-old Lulu Weir performs the Prelude from the ballet Les Sylphides and agrees: “Practicing my variation allows me to challenge myself to be the best I can possibly be and see the growth that I have made and the confidence with which I can now dance.”

15-year-old Rebecca Stengel enjoys the entire rehearsal process of preparing her solo from the Pas De Trois from Swan Lake: “I really love the one-on-one training. It has taught me a lot about technique and has deepened my love for ballet. I really like the experience of preparing for a competition and being a part of something worldwide.”

Mara Weir (age 16) represented SNBA in the 2025 YAGP semifinals and received high marks. This year she performs a solo from the ballet Paquita: “My favorite part of the YAGP experience is getting to see the growth and progress of other dancers my age. It’s really inspiring to be around so many hardworking and talented people, and it motivates me to keep pushing myself. Watching each and everyone’s different talents and styles reminds me how important dedication and passion are, and it makes the whole experience feel exciting and meaningful.”

Cynthia Vasquez, mother of 10-year-old Olivia, is excited to see her daughter perform the female solo from Act One of the well-known ballet Giselle on stage at YAGP: “Not only will this pull Olivia out of her comfort zone and boost her confidence, she will also gain inspiration from watching other girls her age dance.”

Rachel Palacio, mother of 15-year-old Dalia, who will perform the dramatic female solo from the ballet Raymonda, summed it up beautifully: “The SNBA/ YAGP experience is not just about the art of movement but about invaluable life lessons that go far beyond the stage. The opportunity to compete, in particular, will help build resilience, foster discipline, and encourage a continuous-improvement mindset. This SNBA experience offers more than just a chance to showcase talent; it provides an environment where our child has learned the importance of hard work and perseverance. In these high-level settings, young dancers face challenges that help them build emotional strength, develop a sense of pride in their achievements, and push through nerves to perform their best.”

From a teacher’s perspective, both Ananda and I feel extremely proud and overjoyed to see the amazing improvement that each of these young dancers has made since we began working on the solos for YAGP. The most wonderful thing for me is watching these young people take great joy in seeing each other’s improvement. It is inspiring to witness them grow in talent but also to see them develop into kind, ethically healthy, and supportive human beings who are a credit to our northern Nevada arts community.

For information about Sierra Nevada Ballet 2026 performance season and Sierra Nevada Ballet Academy, visit sierranevadaballet.org or call SNB at 775-360-8663.