Announcing the 2025 recipients of the Marcella Hymowitz Creative Fellowship for Choreography

ANNOUNCING THE INAUGURAL RECIPIENTS OF THE MARCELLA HYMOWITZ CREATIVE FELLOWSHIP

YOUTH AMERICA GRAND PRIX – the world’s largest dance education organization and America’s National Youth Dance Competition – is thrilled to announce the inaugural recipients of the MARCELLA HYMOWITZ CREATIVE FELLOWSHIP for choreography.

Championing young and emerging choreographers has been at the forefront of YAGP’s mission to support and provide opportunities to artists since its founding 25 years ago. Through its Emerging Choreographer Series, YAGP has given the opportunity for upcoming choreographers to present their works to the international dance community - having featured and provided a platform to artists such as Justin Peck, Lauren Lovette, Juliano Nunes, Marcelo Gomes, and many others at the start of their choreographic careers.

Now, after a worldwide search this fall, we are thrilled to share the talented choreographers who have been named this year's Creative Fellows. Each of these artists will receive financial support for their creation, which will be realized in a workshop version of the piece this spring and considered for inclusion in YAGP Galas around the world. Please join us in congratulating these six remarkable artists on their achievement!

MEET THE CHOREOGRAPHERS:

My'Kal Stromile

Boston, USA 🇺🇸

To see My'Kal's work, click here.

For a full biography, click here.

My’Kal Stromile, a current artist of Boston Ballet, is a graduate of The Juilliard School, where he received his BFA in Dance Performance. Some of My’Kal’s choreographic and career highlights include:

- 2024 World Premiere, Word for Word, for Paris Opera Ballet in collaboration with CHANEL

- 2023 World Premiere, Form and Gesture, for Boston Ballet

- 2023 World Premiere choreographed for Michaela Mabinty DePrince for YAGP 25th Anniversary Kick-Off Gala

- Princess Grace Award Nominee

Manoela Gonçalves

Brazil 🇧🇷 based in Munich 🇩🇪

To see Manoela's work, click here.

For a full biography, click here.

YAGP alumna Manoela Gonçalves (2009) is a Brazilian choreographer, director, and media manager. Some of her choreographic and career highlights include:

- Former dancer with Zurich Ballet, Leipziger Ballett, Béjart Ballet Lausanne, and Bayerisches Staatsballett

- Young Public Prize and the Biarritz / Caisse des Dépôts prize at the Concours de Jeunes Choregraphes in Biarritz, France

- World Premiere for Joffrey Ballet of “Ocean” for Winning Works and “Benteveo”

- Directed the short dance film “Lisa,” featured at the San Francisco Film Festival

William Dugan

USA 🇺🇸 based in Sweden 🇸🇪

To see William's work, click here.

For a full biography, click here.

YAGP alumnus William Dugan (2011-2013) is a choreographer and current artist of the Royal Swedish Ballet. Some of his choreographic and career highlights include:

- World Premiere for Royal Swedish Ballet’s “Young Choreographers” Evening

- Previously danced with Ballett Dortmund prior to joining Royal Swedish Ballet

- YAGP alumnus and former Prix de Lausanne candidate; received a scholarship to complete his studies at Hamburg Ballet School

Abdiel

Figueroa Reyes

Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 based in Chicago 🇺🇸

To see Abdiel's work, click here.

For a full biography, click here.

YAGP alumnus Abdiel Figuerora Reyes (2015-2017), originally from Puerto Rico, is a former artist of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and a 2022 Princess Grace Award winner. Some of his choreographic and career highlights include:

- Dance Magazine “25 to Watch in 2020”

- Featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 Local Chicago

- World Premieres for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Inside/Out and BOYKIN TWO

- Forthcoming commission from the University of Chicago’s TAPS program in 2025

Ashley Davis

USA 🇺🇸 based in Netherlands 🇳🇱

To see Ashley's work, click here.

For a full biography, click here.

YAGP alumna Ashley Davis (2021-2024) is a second year dance student at Codarts in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Some of Ashley’s choreographic and career highlights include:

- 2023-2024 member of the YAGP International Contemporary Ensemble (YAGP ICE), performing works by Ohad Naharin and Shahar Binyamini

- Guest choreographer for The Stuttgart Ballet’s Noverre: Young Choreographers 2025

- Featured choreography in Boston Ballet’s Summer Dance Program 2021

- Graduate of Chicago Academy of the Arts and YAGP alumna, with multiple top honors and scholarships

Gabriel Lorena

Brazil 🇧🇷 based in Kansas City 🇺🇸

To see Gabriel's work, click here.

For a full biography, click here.

Gabriel Lorena, originally, from São Paulo, Brazil, is a choreographer and current artist of Kansas City Ballet. Some of his choreographic and career highlights include:

- World Premieres for Kansas City Ballet’s New Moves

- World Premieres for Moving Arts, featuring dancers of Cincinnati Ballet and Kansas City Ballet

- World Premieres for Boston Ballet II and Miami City Ballet School

- Previously danced with Boston Ballet II and as an apprentice with The Sarasota Ballet