Universal Ballet Competition (UBC) is a premier student ballet competition, which has expanded into various major metropolitan cities in the US due to its growing popularity among dancers, studio directors, and the ballet community. UBC is a one-of-a-kind experience that combines competition, education, scouting opportunities scholarships and more. Founding members, Lissette Salgado and David Lucas, former principal ballet dancers at the Joffrey Ballet Company and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company, have illustrious careers. Their combined list of professional contacts allows them the privilege to recruit globally renowned dancers, company directors, and ballet school directors to judge, mentor, and teach the master classes during each UBC competition. Since its first season, UBC has hosted and mentored more than 10,000 dancers and awarded over 3 million dollars in scholarships.
As innovators, UBC was the first ballet competition to hold online auditions bridging the gap between talented college-level students and recruitment opportunities. This online platform allowed colleges, university, and professional school directors to observe a class during the competition and award scholarships to dancers that met their criteria for acceptance into their programs.
UBC is committed to creating an event with the most attention to detail and organization, to ensure the most enjoyable and beneficial experience. We pride ourselves in producing a showcase that highlights student talent and hard work. Each entry is adjudicated through our state-of-the-art video judging system. It allows for dancers to listen and watch their performance while the incredible jury panel provides guidance and areas for growth in their performance.
UBC provides Master Classes at every competition which provides all the dancers with individualized attention and mentorship by experienced artists from around the world. The invaluable critiques and instruction they receive will be an important part in the growth of each dancer.
UBC’s main goal in each event is to provide scouting opportunities to all dancers at both intermediate and competitive levels. Talent scouting allows students the chance to be seen by world renowned artists, company and professional school directors. This exposure is key in helping these young artists pursue a career in dance. The objective is to be a part in participants continuing their education, gaining professional training experiences, and ultimately having the opportunity to perform in a company if that is their dream.
The Grand Prix Finals is the culmination of our season and will provide even more master classes, talent scouts, scholarships, and cash prizes.
Our mission with each class and competition is ultimately the growth of each dancer as an individual. UBC is more than a competition, it is a chance for dancers to reach their goals and we look forward to having you be part of it.
In February 2020, UBC had the insight and quickly pivoted to hold the first-ever virtual ballet competition. Dancers from across the globe registered to be a part of the virtual version of UBC, and because of its success.
Universal Ballet Competition’s aims to connect exceptionally talented dancers of all racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds with quality dance education, opportunities, and professional careers worldwide.