|
A
Hamptons party by the pool—and for a
good cause: Joanna Fisher opened her
marvelously eccentric East Hampton
residence in honor of Youth America
Grand Prix (YAGP) and its founder
Larissa Saveliev. Also on the invitation
were members of New York City Ballet,
Kloe Walker and Andres Zuniga; both
alumni of the YAGP, which helps young
dancers become professionals.
Standing in her garden, Joanna explained
to nearly 60 guests, “Larissa would much
rather be backstage rehearsing and
teaching dancers than standing in the
spotlight, but tonight I'm going to make
her the center of attention.” said
Fisher, who is also a YAGP Board Member.
“For me, the most compelling part of
YAGP is how it began. It was built by
two courageous Bolshoi dancers who
defected in 1993, leaving everything
behind, creating what has become one of
the most important forces in ballet
today. The incredible flow of new talent
into ballet schools and companies around
the world can be traced, in no small
part, to YAGP. Its impact extends beyond
the stage. When young dancers in Ukraine
came under attack, YAGP helped
orchestrate their escape, placing them
in schools and companies across the
globe. They secured scholarships, visas,
housing, clothing, food,
transportation—everything these young
artists needed to rebuild their lives.
Even Monaco, where refugees are illegal,
opened its doors through the cooperation
of the Princess Grace Foundation. There
was a 60 Minutes segment about Larissa.
She has yet to watch it. That's because
she has never been interested in
recognition. Larissa is the real deal.
She has helped shape the careers of many
of the world's leading dancers, even
Bolshoi takes her guidance. Frankly, I
wish she were running our government.”
“Leaving Russia and beginning a new life
in America after my years as a dancer
with the Bolshoi Ballet gave me a
different perspective on opportunity,”
said Saveliev, “As I started teaching, I
saw gifted young dancers who simply
needed someone to believe in them. There
wasn't a ballet scholarship competition
that brought students together with all
the major international dance companies
that could change their lives, so in
1999 Gennadi and I founded Youth America
Grand Prix. Everything we've built since
then has been about opening doors for
the next generation.”
Guests included James Barron and Dr.
Jane Farhi, Elizabeth and Richard Brand,
Michele Cohen, Nora Coblence, Pamela
Dove, Peter Gordonstein and Stephanie
Stuart Kossar, Denyce Graves, Dr. Bruce
Horten, Lola Koch, Laura Lobdell, Hervé
Pierre, Emily Reifel, Nina Taselaar (the
hostess’s first cousin), and Sandy and
Stan Warshawsky. Several of the guests
were moved to make donations.
Founded in 1999 by Larissa and Gennadi
Saveliev, Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP)
is an international nonprofit
organization dedicated to the education
and professional development of young
dancers. Through international
auditions, scholarships, educational
programs, and performance opportunities,
YAGP has helped launch the careers of
thousands of dancers now performing with
leading ballet companies around the
world. For more information, visit
https://yagp.org/
|