Tina Shi, an adjudicator for Guinness World Records, proudly announced the official count of 353 dancers in unison at the Plaza Hotel in New York. The event, organized by Youth America Grand Prix, brought together hundreds of young dancers from around the world to break the world record for dancing on pointe in one place. Accompanied by Tchaikovsky music, the ballerinas stood on their toes and gracefully shifted their weight from one foot to the other in a step known as bourrée for a full minute. This achievement surpassed the previous record of 306 ballerinas on pointe en masse.
Youth America Grand Prix has been hosting the world’s largest student ballet scholarship competition since 1999. The program brings together aspiring young dancers from around the world to showcase their talents and compete for scholarships. The event also serves as a platform for professional dancers who have been through the program to give back and support the next generation of ballet dancers.
The students ranged in ages from 9 to 19, with some coming all the way from Russia and China to be part of this historic moment. They were joined by professional dancers who were program alumni, many of whom had gone on to become some of the most renowned performers in the world today. As they took their places on stage, they knew that this was more than just a dance competition – it was a chance to make history and inspire future generations of ballerinas and ballet dancers alike.
With every step they took, each one brought us closer to breaking that elusive record. And when Tina Shi finally declared that there were 353 ballerinas standing together in unison, we knew that we had achieved something truly extraordinary. It was a moment that none of us would ever forget – a testament to what can be accomplished when you put your heart into something you believe in
