YoungArts is more than just a prestigious stage for the next generation of the most talented young artists. The organization also provides winners aged 15 to 18 with a week of masterclasses, mentorship and community building to support their fledgling careers. During these five days in Miami, performing, visual and literary artists from across the country come together for National Youth Arts Week to seriously reaffirm their artistic sensibilities, according to distinguished past recipients. “This is the first time I’m recognized and called an artist,” said 2024 tap champion Asmund Erickson. “I feel like, ‘Yes, I yes an artist. “
The positives and benefits don’t end there. Winners will receive a medal, career-long support, and exclusive access to the YoungArts Post, what you might call the YoungArts winners’ social platform. As a distinguished recipient (a special designation that qualifies you for awards of up to $10,000), you may also be named a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, one of the highest honors for high school students. This all sounds dreamy, right?
But with so many applicants vying for so few spots, how do you stand out during the application process, especially in the dance category, and what should you do to make the most of YoungArts Week?
Dance soul spoke with Erickson and other past winners to round up some tips and tricks for success in the competition.
Sign up for an information session
When Erickson was in the application process, he made sure to attend an online information session—which, he said, proved helpful. This session gives you the opportunity to talk to former winners about their experiences and ask them questions. But the key here is to sign up for a session that includes jury members.
“In my application year — and they may change this in the next few years — there was a panel of several people who watched the finalist videos and chose who stood out to them,” Erickson said. “These are the applicants who were participating in Youth Arts Week.” According to Erickson, the panel reviews shortlisted applications across all dance disciplines, so it can be helpful to get a sense of what panelists are looking for (which may not be specific to a dance form). valuable.
Be your true self in your audition video
Erickson says that during the YoungArts audition process, you are judged almost entirely on your audition film. Depending on the discipline, the requirements may vary slightly, but generally you will be asked to submit one solo that showcases your technique and a second solo that showcases your artistry. With individual components of the app under such pressure, it’s easy to highlight your most impressive tricks, or mirror trends that garner accolades on social media or dance competitions. But Kathak dancer Vyoma Bhanap encourages applicants to be as authentic as possible in their audition videos—both as artists and as people. Before filming her audition, Barnap remembers thinking, “I’d rather follow my own sense of who I am as an artist and dancer than what I think YoungArts wants from me.” This The point was made and in 2023, Banap was selected as the Indian Classical Dance Champion. “This is a credit to the YoungArts Foundation,” she said. “They don’t want something that doesn’t represent the people they really want to elevate.”
You should also bring this sense of authenticity to what you wear in your audition film. 2023 Modern Dance Champion Sam Fine initially wore a black T-shirt and black leggings in the film. “I realized this wasn’t very flattering on my lines because my legs are already really long, and it made me look like I wasn’t fully integrated into my body,” Fine said. When he reshot, he wore something he felt comfortable wearing: a blue tights. He also added a blue backlight to complement the tone of his solo. It worked. “When I arrived at the first night of Youth Art Week, [the faculty and staff] Like, “Oh my gosh, blue tights!” So, that really helped me stand out.
Bringing a Friendly Attitude to Miami
For those of you attending Youth Arts Week, remember that you will meet some incredibly talented fellow artists. This can sometimes heighten insecurities, especially since you are being evaluated all week for bonuses and maybe even recognition as a Presidential Scholar.
But competition isn’t what Youth Arts Week is about, Fine said: “Once you’re in Youth Arts Week, the competition is over.” Instead, seize the opportunity to grow the arts community. Erickson noted that his fondest memory from the week was the friendships he made with the other honorees — some who were dancers and some who were not. Since then, “I’ve met with YoungArts friends when they come to my hometown and when I travel,” he said. “It’s really cool to make these lifelong connections.”
