For the student with the right mindset who is ready for a challenge and to take their training seriously, the experience of preparing for Youth America Grand Prix can be invaluable. It allows them to grow in ways that are hard to replicate in other scenarios, unless they attend a pre-pro school and have other opportunities.

The hours spent carefully refining classical variations, and the even more time pushing themselves physically and mentally in new directions for the contemporary piece are truly a major reward in themselves.

I have many beautiful memories from our Seattle and San Francisco trips this year, and we have already begun thinking about next season!