Utah ballet students compete for scholarships and finals in New York City
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Jocelyn Bergt dances, as Sophie Aste waits to perform, during the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Finals at the University of Utah Marriott Center for Dance, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Kate Burckle watches the other dancers perform, as she waits for her turn to compete in the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Finals at the University of Utah Marriott Center for Dance, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Sophie Aste watches Hanna Hardy dance, back stage, as she waits for her to turn to perform, at the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Finals at the University of Utah Marriott Center for Dance, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Eryn Dotta, 17, practices before her competition, at the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Finals at the University of Utah Marriott Center for Dance, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Dancers rehearse before competition, at the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Finals at the University of Utah Marriott Center for Dance, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Sophie Vance, 16, practices backstage before her performance, at the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Finals at the University of Utah Marriott Center for Dance, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Dancers smile as they watch their friend perform from backstage, at the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Finals at the University of Utah Marriott Center for Dance, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Lauren Huntsman, 16, performs competes in the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Finals at the University of Utah Marriott Center for Dance, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) McKenna Osborne, 16, competes in the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Finals at the University of Utah Marriott Center for Dance, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Faith Montoya performs at the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Finals at the University of Utah Marriott Center for Dance, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Sophia Vance performs at the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Finals at the University of Utah Marriott Center for Dance, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Erickell Hyde, 15, performs at the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Finals at the University of Utah Marriott Center for Dance, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Dakota King performs at the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Finals at the University of Utah Marriott Center for Dance, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Sophia Vance performs at the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Finals at the University of Utah Marriott Center for Dance, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Augustine Hadison, 15, Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Finals at the University of Utah Marriott Center for Dance, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Chloe Jones, 16, performs at the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Finals at the University of Utah Marriott Center for Dance, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Augustine Hadison, 15, Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Finals at the University of Utah Marriott Center for Dance, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.
Hundreds of ballet dancers — ages 9 to 19 — from all over Utah are auditioning this weekend at the Marriott Center in Salt Lake City in the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) regional semi-finals. Selected competitors will continue on to the finals in New York City in April.
YAGP awards more than $250,000 a year in scholarships to send young dancers to leading schools and dance companies to continue their training.
