The Georgia Youth ballet, under the direction of Magdalena Maury, will travel to Raleigh for a four-day educational and cultural festival with the Southeast Regional Dance Association.

The GYB is the only non-profit performing company in the south side Atlanta area that has been chosen as members of this national organization.

It has been a tremendous year for the GYB. Company members received more than 20 scholarships to the Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Washingotn Ballet, Walnut Hill Ballet, Burklyn Ballet, Joffrey BFA College program and others.

The GYB established a children's ensemble this year, which gives monthly performances at Azalea Estates as well as various Fayette schools. The group has performed at Fayette Primary and Braelinn Elementary schools as well as the Youth Arts Festival. The GYB premiered “Chipollino” at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center by Russian Choreographer Vladimir Issaev. In the same program, Israeli choreographer Elie Lazar's beautiful ballet was presented. The dancers were able to mingle with professionals as both choreographers came to see the performances.

Artistic director Magdalena Maury will travel to Vermont this summer to set her ballet “Snow White” on the Burklyn Ballet Theatre. The ballet will then be taken to Scotland to be premiered there. “It is an honor to have your work recognized by others in the field,” said Maury. “I only wish our own community would recognize this fine, young dance company.”

Maury also was interviewed by Dance Teacher Now, a national magazine, and will be featured in an article about mother and daughter teachers in an upcoming issue. Maury's mother Magda Aunon also is a ballet teacher and artistic director in Florida.

Maury continues to provide opportunities to the local dance talent. In past years she has brought in guest teachers and choreographers from Russia, Cuba, Israel, Hawaii and New York. She is continuing a tradition that her mother brought with her from Cuba from one of the finest ballet companies in the world.

This summer at the GYB's summer camp, the tradition continues. Joffrey Ballet's Elie Lazar, Cincinati ballet's Jessica Mylene, Yuma Ballet's Thom Clower and of course Magda Aunon will be on hand to teach a four-week intensive workshop. They will present a free performance at Sam's Auditorium June 30. Dancers from Florida, Alabama, North and South Carolina and Mississippi come and take the workshop.

For information on the GYB and its upcoming season phone 770-716-9858.

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