New York’s Plaza Hotel played host to hundreds of young dancers in white tutus and tightly coiffed hair on Wednesday, as they set a new world record for dancing on pointe in one place. Organized by Youth America Grand Prix, a ballet scholarship program celebrating its 25th anniversary with performances at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the event showcased the talent and dedication of these young dancers.
The dancers, ranging in age from 9 to 19, were both students competing for scholarships and professional dancers who were alums of the program. The music of Tchaikovsky played as the ballerinas gracefully stood on tiptoes and performed a step called bourrée, switching their weight rapidly from one foot to the other for a full minute.
Amidst the anticipation, Tina Shi, an adjudicator for Guinness World Records, announced the final count. “353, that is a new Guinness world record! Congratulations!” The previous record for the most ballerinas on pointe en masse was 306, making this achievement a significant milestone for the New York-based Youth America Grand Prix.
The event was a moment of celebration and triumph for all those involved, marking a proud milestone in the history of the program. It highlighted the passion and hard work these young dancers put into their craft, showcasing their dedication to their art form.
