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HomeAnastasia Tillman
Anastasia Tillman 14 ~ Nadyne Legere Memorial Scholarship



My name is Anastasia Tillman. I am 14 years old. I have been competing in Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), the largest international student ballet competition in the world, since 2009, when I was awarded 2nd place in the Pre-Competitive Category in the Dallas Semi-Finals at the age of 9. In 2010, I was awarded 1st place in the Dallas Semi-Finals in the Pre-Competitive Category as well. In 2011, I won the coveted Hope Award in the Houston Semi-Finals. In 2012, in my first year in the Junior division, I was awarded 2nd place in the Junior Classical Category, and I was in the top 12 in the Junior Contemporary Category in the Dallas Semi-Finals. This year I received 1st place in the Junior Classical Category in the Dallas Semi-Finals, prevailing over 164 contestants in my age division.


Furthermore, I qualified for and competed in the New York City Finals of the Youth America Grand Prix for the last five years in a row.


This year, 2013, I have been invited to School of American Ballet Summer Intensive Program, Boston Ballet Summer Intensive program, Royal Winnipeg Ballet on full tuition scholarship, and Bolshoi Ballet Academy Summer Intensive where I would like to train afterwards.


I study classical ballet and pointe 6 days a week at the Ballet Conservatory under Artistic Director, Kelly Lannin, and I am a member of the school's regional company, LakeCities Ballet Theatre, where I have had the opportunity to perform in The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, and several YAGP ensembles.
I also performed the role of Clara in the LakeCities Ballet Theatre's 2011 production of the Nutcracker. Please visit my website www.GivingGodGlory.org for more information.

I aspire to be a professional ballet dancer.
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Thank you very much for awarding me a scholarship to attend the Bolshoi Ballet Academy Summer Intensive (BBASI) program in Connecticut. The memorable experience was fabulous.

It was hard for me to part with my family at first when I arrived in Connecticut. The first days were extremely difficult. The classes were very intense and demanding. I loved every moment of them. I focused on my goals to improve my footwork and to be noticed by the Bolshoi Ballet Academy teachers and representatives. I was inspired to dance to my fullest and the classes seemed easier and fun. The three weeks I had enrolled for flew by extremely fast. I just could not leave. Then when I asked to stay for three more weeks, I was offered a scholarship for the second session.   I was overjoyed!  I cherished every second of the intensive. I am so grateful for the amazing opportunity to continue dancing at BBASI.

 
The daily schedule consisted of stretch, technique, and pointe classes in the mornings.  After a delicious and nutritious lunch, we continued with repertoire and character classes. I also participated in fun activities after dinner. I always looked forward to the weekends! We spent the weekends at Lake Compounce. We also commuted to New York and saw The Sleeping Beauty ballet performed by ABT. Seeing professionals dance gave me inspiration and an example to follow when I danced.

Furthermore, my teachers, Natalya Revich, Nika Sergeeva, and Andrei Alferov, were strict but kind and funny. They always stayed positive and encouraging. I received many helpful corrections from Mrs. Revich. She inspired me to continue learning Russian technique. Mrs. Sergeeva gave me a new appreciation for character dance. Every day I looked forward to her classes. As for partnering class, Mr. Alferov explained many new techniques to partnering that I did not know before. I was so thankful for their wise advice in class. When the end show arrived I was honored to perform many variations from ballets. I performed dances from Sleeping Beauty, Shades from La Bayadere, Don Quixote, and many other dances. I also danced a number of character pieces. They were exciting and enjoyable. A week after the program concluded, I was greatly surprised to receive an invitation to the full-study program in Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Moscow, Russia! It is my life-long dream to dance with the Bolshoi Ballet! I thank you again for the amazing opportunity and experience which I will treasure forever.