Columbia Classical Ballet Company Members Medal at World Ballet Competition
June 22, 2015
Dancers take home Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals
COLUMBIA, SC – Several company members of the Columbia Classical Ballet traveled to Orlando, F.L. last week to compete in the World Ballet Competition and four dancers were awarded medals in their categories.
In the professional men’s category Kota Fujishima was awarded a gold medal and Yuma Yasui won a silver medal. Sehyun Jin won a silver medal in the professional women’s category and Nations Wilkes-Davis won a bronze medal in the pre-professional men’s category.
The World Ballet Competition is a prestigious international ballet competition (IBC) that is historically held yearly in Orlando. They offer one of the highest cash awards of any international dance competition and gold, silver and bronze medalists receive cash prizes.
Under the artistic direction of Radenko Pavlovich, Columbia Classical Ballet is widely known for developing talented dancers. Each year the company receives applications from dancers around the world to come and train in Columbia with Pavlovich.
“I am privileged to have the opportunity to train such dedicated and talented young dancers,” said Radenko Pavlovich, Columbia Classical Ballet Artistic Director. “These dancers have improved immensely since they first joined our company and this season is really going to be special and we are excited to display their talent to the community.”
Kota Fujishima and Yuma Yasui are from Japan and Sehyun Jin hails from South Korea. Nations Wilkes-Davis was born in Germany, and now lives in Columbia. All of the dancers train in Columbia under the tutelage of Pavlovich.
“We are very proud of our dancers,” said Lee Lumpkin, Columbia Classical Ballet Chairman of the Board. “These young dancers have made many sacrifices to train in Columbia, and these medals give validation and reward to their talent and hard work.”
The 2015-2016 season for the Columbia Classical Ballet will start on September 13, 2015 with their Annual Cabaret Night Fundraiser. For a full performance schedule for the upcoming season and for more information about the company, visit columbiaclassicalballet.com.
About Columbia Classical Ballet
Columbia Classical Ballet is dedicated to providing South Carolina audiences with the experience of classical ballet performed by the recognized ballet stars of the day. The Ballet recruits the most talented performers from around the world and brings them to our community.
