Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition

Prestigious Ballet Competition Draws the World's Best

More than 130 of the world's most talented ballet and contemporary dancers battle for life-changing contracts and scholarships at academies in France, Germany, Italy, Russia and the U.S. at the 7th annual Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition at Symphony Space in New York. Kozlova was born and studied in Russia, later becoming the principal dancer for both the Bolshoi Ballet and New York City Ballet, and now she heads up her own New York dance conservatory. This year features 134 contestants (ages 11-25) who'll perform before a panel of judges chaired by Andris Liepa, former principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet, along with dance luminaries Nina Ananiashvili, Charles Jude, Nikolay Tsiskaridze, Julio Bocca and more. Come check out the awards ceremony, followed by a special dance performance.