CARY, N.C. — Hundreds of young dancers from across the state and worldwide are competing in what’s known as the "largest network of dance."

What You Need To Know

  • Student dancers audition for the Youth America Grand Prix

  • Participants go on to dance professionally in New York and Paris

  • The finals will be held in April

Student dancers auditioned for the Youth America Grand Prix at Richard J. Reynolds Memorial Auditorium in Winston-Salem in hopes of receiving scholarships to top schools and companies worldwide.

"Probably would change my life, to be honest," said Ethan Mass, 18.

This is Mass's fourth year auditioning for the chance of a lifetime. He's been practicing at Cary Ballet Conservatory, where Director Mariaelena Ruiz said it has over 50 students participating in the competition.

“They have made a lot of people's careers, giving a lot of people opportunities," Ruiz said.

The regional semifinals are open to dancers, ages 9 to 19, to be scouted, earn scholarships and work with companies worldwide.

Ruiz said the competition is where the next big ballet stars are scouted.

“It's a very exciting time for us, and then it's a very exciting time for them. They have from classical variations to contemporary works to adapt parodies and duets and all of that," Ruiz said.

Participants go on to dance professionally for the American Ballet Theatre, the Paris Opera Ballet and the New York City Ballet.

The YAGP finals will be held in New York City, April 11-17.