​On Friday, August 29, John Tubbs took his last class at Urbana Fine Arts Center Student. After five years with us John moved to North Carolina where he will finish High School attending the North Carolina School of the Arts’ Program.
We are all so proud of John for this great accomplishment and for everything else he achieved during the past five years. John represented our studio at three Youth America Grand Prix regionals in Indianapolis and Chicago. In 2019 John performed in New York, after “Unaffected When We Join”, the ensemble piece he performed with Jade O’Connor and Jasmine O’Connor, choreographed by Andrew Cribbett, was invited to the YAGP finals.  He also earned a scholarship for the Bolshoi Academy’s Summer Intensive after his participation at the YAGP.
It has been such a privilege to watch him grow.
It is always hard to say goodbye to students that leave, but this time it is especially hard and that is why the occasion deserves special attention.
John was the first student enrolled in our program, alongside Victoria Bagby. During our first recital, the two of them posed for the photo (courtesy of Greg Pluta) that became the trade mark of our studio and the two of them danced together again in this years’ recital, John’s last recital as a UFAC student.
We all hope to see John in the near future when he visits his parents in town and we all hope to have John back in the years to come as a guest dancer or teacher, if he chooses to continue in the performing arts field. He certainly has the qualities needed for a successful dance career.
Our thanks to John for bringing so much joy to our classes and performances and to his parents Catherine and John, for all the support given to us over the past five years.

Above:
John Tubbs and Victoria Bagby in 2017 and 2022.

Above: John Tubbs with Jasmine O'Connor and Jade O'Connor performing "Unaffected When Ee Join, choreographed By ANDREW CRIBBETT at the YAGP Finals, NY, 2019.

Above: John at the Urbana Fine Arts Center in 2017 and 2022.

Above: John performing in "Don Quixote, at the UFAC Recital 2019. John's favorite picture.

​This was certainly the busiest and most successful YAGP season for the Urbana Fine Arts Center.
We attended two regionals in Chicago and we again, made it to the finals with three ensemble pieces.
At the February Chicago Regional (Feb 10-13), our student LILLY BRADLEY placed Top 12 with her classical solo “The Harlequinade”. Our duet “Counterpart”, choreographed by JAYLEN DE’ ANGELO CLAY and performed by LYLLI BRADLEY and JANET SAAVEDRA, placed Top 6. Three of our ensembles were invited to perform at the YAGP Finals in Tampa, FL: “Counterpart” (mentioned earlier); “NPrint” also choreographed by JAYLEN DE’ ANGELO CLAY and performed by VICTORIA BAGBY and NATALIE POCIASK; and “A Night at the Louvre”, choreographed by JADE O’CONNOR and performed by JANET SAAVEDRA, LILIANE CHEMLA, KENDALL KUKA, NATALIE POCIASC and LEYLA COHEN.
At the March Chicago Regional (Mar 17 to 19) our student ELLE GRAHAM placed Top 12 with the classical solo “Fairy of Kindness” from The Sleeping Beauty. LILLY BRADLEY placed Top 12 with the Contemporary solo “You are Mine!”, choreographed by JAYLEN DE’ANGELO CLAY and JOHN TUBBS placed top 24 with the classical solo “Pas de Trois Variation” form Swan Lake. Both classical pieces mentioned were choreographed originally by MARIUS PETIPAS and coached by LUCIANA REZENDE.
Enjoy the photos!

Pictures above:
Left: Janet Saavedra (left) and Lilly Bradley (right) showing the Top 6 Ensemble Diploma.
​Right: ​Janet Saavedra and Lilly Bradley performing "Counterpart"

 Above:
Right: Victoria Bagby (left) and Natalie Pociask (rigth) performing "NPrint"
Left: left to right: Leyla Cohen, Janet Saavedra, Kendall Kuka, Liliane Chemla and Natalie Pociask, performing "A Night at the Louvre"

Above: Urbana Fine Arts Students at the YAGP 2022 Chicago February Regional.

Above:
Left: From left to right: Elle Graham, John Tubbs and Lilly Bradley at the YAGP 2022 Chicago March Regional.
Right: John Tubbs performing "Pas de Trois Male Variation", from Swan Lake. At the YAGP 2002 Chicago March Regional.

On October 27, 2021, we had the honor to host a master class conducted by professional dancers from Philadanco.
The class was taught by company members JANINE BECKLES, JAMEEL HENDRICK, FLOYD McLEAN JR. And LAMAR ROGERS, with percussionist AARON WILSON. 

Despite all the challenges and obstacles brought to us by the pandemic, we managed to continue providing classes and training our pre-professional program students to participate at the YAGP 2021.
Our students’ dedication, the support from their families and the great works from our UFAC teachers and choreographers ASHLEY THOPIAH, JADE O’CONNOR, JAYLEN DE’ ANGELO CLAY and guest chorographer CORBIN PHILIPS, allowed our students to perform great quality works at the event.
MAEWYNN EAGLES, LILLY BRADLEY, JANET SAAVEDRA AND VICTORIA BAGBY made it to top 12 in their categories at the Chicago Regional and LILLY got the 3rd placed with a contemporary solo choreographed by JAYLEN DE’ANGELO CLAY. She was also invited to participate at the YAGP Finals in Tampa, FL, where she again, gave a beautiful performance on stage.