Imagine the spotlight glowing, the music swelling, and three young dancers stepping boldly onto an international stage. At Venus Villa Dance Academy (VVDA), that vision became reality this January as our talented students—Bianca Rowley, Miyu Sugimoto, and Venusita Sarabia Oquendo—graced the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) International Semi-Finals in Faro, Portugal. In a competition followed and streamed all over the world, they were able to showcase their beautiful talent among some of the best, many of them on their journey to become a professional dancer!

A Stage Like No Other

YAGP is one of the world’s most prestigious ballet competitions, drawing thousands of aspiring dancers aged 9-19 from across the globe. This International Semi-Finals was another demonstration that ballet has no boundaries. It also provides the chance to earn an invitation to the Finals in Tampa, USA in April.

Our trio took on classical variations, contemporary solos, and breathtaking pas de deux, captivating judges, peers, and audiences. For those who caught the YouTube livestream, you surely enjoyed them trying their best routine and for their talent to shine:

• Venusita Sarabia Oquendo: Launched the event on January 15 with two solos in the pre-competitive category—Swanilda Coppelia and Harlequinade—then teamed with Giovanni on January 16 for a pas de deux. As a pre-competitive dancer, she advanced directly to the award ceremony—and most importantly stunned us all by qualifying for the Finals in Tampa!
• Miyu Sugimoto: 2 days later, Miyu danced a contemporary solo and her Coppelia variation, earning a spot in the Finals round—a remarkable achievement and one of only 26 out of the 130 students selected.
• Bianca Rowley: Performed her Giselle variation the next day, followed by a Swan Lake Black Swan pas de deux with Gianfranco Giordano that evening, also securing a finals spot among the elite 26.

Each step, each leap, was a testament to their dedication—and the results? Nothing short of extraordinary. A proud moment for all, even if their competitive nature always wants more.

Participating in such competitions really helps the girls get to terms with performing. Whether it is in Hong Kong or now on an international stage, they are ready. Their solos trained endlessly in the studio, the hard work beginning months or years ago. Once at the theater, they follow their routine, get prepared, feel the tension and go through wave of emotions and most importantly supporting each other. They are sharing the same passion and go through the same turmoil of feelings. But once they step onto that stage, nothing tells. They looked nearly flawless and they enjoyed it! This is part of the journey and the accolades will come later…

A Triumph to Celebrate

The award ceremony on Sunday was a night of pride for VVDA, where our little future stars shone:

• Bianca Rowley: Top 12 in classical solo, third place in classical pas de deux, and awarded three scholarships—an incredible haul for her artistry and skill.
• Miyu Sugimoto: Earned two scholarships, showcasing her talent and promise.
• Venusita Sarabia Oquendo: Secured third place in classical solo, Top 12 in contemporary solo, and two scholarships—plus a spot in the Tampa Finals for her Top 3 finish, quite a feat!

A Message from Miss Venus

As the founder and head teacher of VVDA, I’ve danced on stages and taught in studios around the world, and I can tell you this: competitions are just one chapter in a dancer’s story. Prizes come from a jury’s evaluation, but they don’t define a career. I’ve known ballet stars who never won a single contest—yet their brilliance lit up the world.

The real magic lies in the journey. Preparing for YAGP Faro was about more than perfecting a variation—it was about growth, resilience, and the daily grind of class. It’s in the sweat, the focus, and the determination that our students build their dreams. These past few days in Faro were filled with challenges, unforgettable moments, and pure joy. I couldn’t be prouder of Bianca, Miyu, and Venusita—not just for their awards, but for the heart they poured into every moment.