Youngarts is not only a prestigious scene for young most talented artists of the next generation. The organization also provides winners aged 15 to 18, a week of master classes, mentoring and community strengthening to support their budding careers. And according to the old winners with distinction, those Five days in MiamiWhere interpreters, visual and literary artists from across the country meet for National Young youth, can seriously reaffirm their sense of art. “It was the first time that I have been validated and called an artist,” explains Asmund Erickson, who was winner in 2024 in Tap Dance. “I felt like 'yeah, I am An artist. “”
The positive points and the advantages do not stop there. The winners receive a medallion, support throughout their careers and exclusive access to Youngarts Post, which you could call a social platform for Youngarts winners. And as a winner of distinction, a special designation that makes you eligible up to $ 10,000 at a price, you can also be appointed American presidential scholar in the arts, which is one of the highest honors for high school students. All this seems pretty dreamy, right?
But with as many candidates in the running for so few spots in the competition, how did you differentiate yourself in the application process, especially in the dance category-and what should you do to get the most out of Youngarts week?
Dance spirit spoke with Erickson and other former winners to bring together some tips and tricks to find success in the competition.
Register for an information session
When Erickson was applying, he made sure to attend an online information session – and, he said, it turned out to be useful. The session gives you the opportunity to speak with former winners of their experiences and ask them questions. But the key here is to register for a session which includes a member of the judgment committee.
“For my year of candidacy – and they can change this for the years to come – there is a panel of a few people watching the finalist videos and choose who stands out,” explains Erickson. “And these are the candidates who come to the Youngarts week.” According to Erickson, this unique panel examines finalist applications in all disciplines of dance, so understanding what a research panelist, which may not be specific to a form of dance, can be precious.
Be your authentic self in your hearing video
For the Youngarts hearing process, you are tried almost entirely on your hearing video, says Erickson. The requirements may vary slightly depending on the discipline, but, in general, you are invited to submit a solo demonstrating your technique and a second solo showing your artistic talent. With this type of pressure on a single component of your application, it may be tempting to highlight your most impressive tips or reflect trends on social networks or dance competitions that arouse praise. But Vyoma Bhanap, a Kathak dancer, encourages the candidates to present themselves in the hearing video as really as possible – both as an artists and as people. Before filming his hearing video, Bhanap remembers having thought: “I prefer to apply as who I think I am as an artist and dancer instead of what I think youngarts wants me.” This perspective translated and, in 2023, Bhanap was selected as a winner in classical Indian dance. “It's a credit for the Youngarts Foundation,” she says. “They don't want something that doesn't represent who they really try to lift.”
You should also bring this feeling of authenticity to what you wear in your hearing video. Sam Fine, winner in 2023 in contemporary dance, initially sported a black t-shirt and black tights in his video. “I realized that it was not super-filter of my lines because my legs are already very long, and it just made me look like my body completely in my body,” says fine. When he looked back, he wore what he felt comfortable: a blue Unitur. He also added a blue backlight to complete the tone of his solo. And it worked. “The first night I arrived at Youngarts Week, (the faculty and the staff) were like:” Oh, my God, the Unitur Blue! ” So that definitely helped me stand out.
Bring a nice attitude towards Miami
For those who arrive at Youngarts week, remember that you will meet very talented counterparts. This can sometimes flirt with feelings of insecurity, especially because you are evaluated throughout the week for the award and, perhaps, a presidential school.
But being competitive is not what Youngarts Week is, Fine says: “Once you have reached Youngarts week, the competition is over.” Instead, press the opportunity to develop your artistic community. Erickson notes that his most beautiful memories of the week consisted in developing friendships with other winners – some dancers, others not. Since then, “I met with friends from Youngarts when they come to my hometown and when I travel,” he said. “It's really cool to have formed these lifetime connections.”
