Dancers and Staff from the Ballet Academy of Texas in Coppell received top honors at the recent Youth America Grand Prix competition in Irving. This international competition held a “Qualifying Semi-Final” for the North Texas area at the Irving Arts Center the first weekend of February, with over 400 dancers performing from throughout the United States. The top honor of “Outstanding Teacher” went to the Academy’s director, Lisa Slagle, seen here on the right. Along with her staff, she began coaching the dancers back in October for these performances. Many dancers received recognition in their respective categories also. Pictured here are Akihiro Yoshimoto, age 17, who received a 1st place in the Senior Men’s Contemporary Division, and a 2nd place in the Senior Men’s Classical Division, and Trevin Ralphs, age 13, who received a 1st place in the Junior Men’s Classical Division. Also pictured on the left is Thom Clower, main teacher for the men at the Academy and Artistic Director of the Academy’s performance company, the Ballet Ensemble of Texas. Not pictured is Audrey King, who placed in the top 12 in the Senior Women’s Classical Division.