FOR ITS NEXT EVENT, JUNE 2007 AT THE ROSE THEATER/TIME-WARNER BUILDING AT JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER,  NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION WELCOMES BACK VICTORIA MAZZARELLI, WINNER OF THE GOLD MEDAL AT THE FIRST NYIBC IN 1984. 

Ilona Copen, Founder/Executive Director of New York International Ballet Competition (NYIBC), is pleased to announce the return to the NYIBC family of Victoria Mazzarelli, entrant in the first NYIBC in 1984. Mazzarelli was the recipient of the only Gold Medal awarded that year, and went on to a career as principal dancer with companies in Europe, including the Zurich Ballet, BallettFrankfurt and the Basel Ballet.   She returned to her home state of Connecticut in 2004, where she is now a guest teacher for Momix and Ballet Mistress at the Nutmeg Ballet, where she was trained. For the 2007 NYIBC, Ms. Mazzarelli has been invited to return as choreographer and coach, creating a pas de deux that will be taught to the participants as one of their three competition dances.

NYIBC boasts a large and loyal "family" that consists of  dance participants, teachers, coaches, judges, and host families. They include, to name just a few:

Eve Lawson, the newly appointed Associate Director of NYIBC, who was a participating dancer in the first NYIBC;
Cynthia Gregory, famed American ballerina, who has participated in every NYIBC since its inception, either as teacher, coach, member of the Advisory Board, or President of the Jury;
Barry Hughson, currently Executive Director of American Repertory Ballet, who was an NYIBC dance participant and now acts as one of the numerous host families to the dancers, providing them with additional support during their stay in New York.

Though NYIBC is a competition, Ilona Copen and staff have, from the beginning, stressed the mentoring and educational aspects of the event: the comeraderie and cooperation, opportunity to take classes and coaching sessions with  renowned dancers and teachers, performing in New York before a knowledgeable audience that includes directors of dance companies, and more.  Some participants take home medals - all take home lessons that will be valuable throughout their careers. Most feel a permanent connection with NYIBC and enjoy returning in different capacities to enjoy the process, to give back, to nurture young talent, and to watch gifted young dancers from around the world.