Ballerino Mincheol Jeon has won the Grand Prix at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) in the United States, Korea National University of Arts announced on April 28.
On April 27, Mincheol Jeon received the Grand Prix in the senior men's division finals held in Tampa, Florida. This award is given to the participant who demonstrates the highest level of skill across all divisions and age groups.
He is the fifth Korean dancer ever to receive this award. Previous Korean recipients include Park Gunhee of Korea National University of Arts last year, Seo Hee, currently a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in 2003, Kim Kimin, principal dancer with the Mariinsky Ballet in 2012, and Jeon Junhyeok, a soloist with the Royal Ballet in 2016.
Mincheol Jeon is currently studying in the Department of Dance at Korea National University of Arts and is set to join the world-renowned Mariinsky Ballet in Russia.
YAGP, established in 2000, is one of the largest ballet competitions in the world. It is open to participants aged 9 to 20, who compete in the Pre-Competitive Division (ages 9?11), Junior Division (ages 12?14), and Senior Division (ages 15?20), according to their age. The competition features categories such as classical ballet solo, pas de deux (duet), group dance, and contemporary.
Seong Jaeseung and So Haeun, both students in the Department of Dance at Korea National University of Arts, took first place in the senior pas de deux division. Seong Jaeseung also placed second in the senior men's solo division.
In the junior men's division, Park Keunbyeolbit and Cho Hyeonjun each ranked in the top 12, while in the junior women's division, Park Heehun achieved a top-12 finish. Lee Yewon was named a finalist in the junior women's division.
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