Get to the Pointe — yagp

We went back in time to the 2022 YAGP Finals in Tampa, Florida! In this video, Josephine got to meet and for the Junior Division's 2nd place winner, Yerin Ok. Yerin is from the Korean Division of Youth Grand Prix, YGP. While chatting with this gorgeous dancer, Josephine got to see her rehearsal and performance shoes. They're actually the same brand, size, and shank - just a slight difference between models.  For rehearsal, Yerin wears the Maya. For performance, she wears the Maya Pro. The shoes are basically the same, but her softer and quieter performance shoe is broken in...

This week, we join Josephine back in Tampa, FL at YAGP Finals. And she's doing something a little different - discussing demi pointe shoes. Although it is not common in the U.S.A., demi pointe shoes are an intermediary shoe for students preparing for pointe. The outer construction looks pointe shoe like, but there is much less paste in the shoe overall than a pointe shoe, and no shank. Demi pointe shoes are meant only for practice at the barre, for feet and ankle exercises. Demi pointe shoes should NOT be worn in center because there is simply not enough support...

This week, Josephine was in Florida at YAGP Finals, and fit a dancer from Japan named Asuka Hara. This adorable and beautiful dancer is 11 years old. She is the 2022 recipient of YAGP's Hope Award, which is presented to the dancer for best overall performance in the Pre-Competitive category (9-11 years old). Asuka competed and performed on flat, in a variation from Graduation Ball. Although Asuka does have pointe shoes, she has not performed or competed en pointe yet. YAGP's guidelines do not allow 10 year olds to compete en pointe, and 11 year olds are strongly discouraged. However, during the...

  As a special bonus video, Josephine Lee and Kathryn Morgan judge ballet variations! Think Olympics commentary, but make it ballet. While participants of the Youth American Grand Prix rehearsed the variations they were going to compete, Kathryn offered great dancing insight, while Josephine commented on pointe shoes. They were blown away by the talent and poise in the studio - especially after 2 years of dancing online! This video featured 3 of the 6 dancers Kathryn & Josephine watched, so be sure to head over to Kathryn's channel to watch the other 3!  Lastly, special thanks to YAGP for bringing...