Joanna Fisher Presents Youth America Grand Prix Benefit In East Hampton In Honor Of Founder Larissa Saveliev

Joanna Fisher opened her East Hampton residence in honor of Youth America Grand Prix and its founder Larissa Saveliev. Also on the invitation were members of New York City Ballet, Kloe Walker and Andres Zuniga; both alumni of the YAGP, which helps young dancers become professionals.

Standing in her garden, Joanna explained to nearly 60 guests, “Larissa would much rather be backstage rehearsing and teaching dancers than standing in the spotlight, but tonight I’m going to make her the center of attention,” said Fisher, who is also a YAGP Board Member. “For me, the most compelling part of YAGP is how it began. It was built by two courageous Bolshoi dancers who defected in 1993, leaving everything behind, creating what has become one of the most important forces in ballet today. The incredible flow of new talent into ballet schools and companies around the world can be traced, in no small part, to YAGP. Its impact extends beyond the stage.”

“Leaving Russia and beginning a new life in America after my years as a dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet gave me a different perspective on opportunity,” said Saveliev. “As I started teaching, I saw gifted young dancers who simply needed someone to believe in them. There wasn’t a ballet scholarship competition that brought students together with all the major international dance companies that could change their lives, so in 1999 Gennadi and I founded Youth America Grand Prix. Everything we’ve built since then has been about opening doors for the next generation.”

Guests included James Barron and Dr. Jane Farhi, Elizabeth and Richard Brand, Michele Cohen, Nora Coblence, Pamela Dove, Peter Gordonstein and Stephanie Stuart Kossar, Denyce Graves, Dr. Bruce Horten, Lola Koch, Laura Lobdell, Hervé Pierre, Emily Reifel, Nina Taselaar, and Sandy and Stan Warshawsky.

Founded in 1999 by Larissa and Gennadi Saveliev, YAGP is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the education and professional development of young dancers. Through international auditions, scholarships, educational programs, and performance opportunities, YAGP has helped launch the careers of thousands of dancers now performing with leading ballet companies around the world. For more information, visit yagp.org.

Jessica Mackin-Cipro

Co-Publisher/Editor

Jessica Mackin-Cipro is an editor and lifestyle writer from the East End of Long Island. She was previously the Executive Editor of The Independent Newspaper and co-founded James Lane Post in 2020. She has won multiple NYPA and PCLI awards for journalism, design, and social media, including the Stuart C. Dorman Award for Editorial Excellence. In 2023, she was a recipient of the President's Volunteer Service Award at the United Nations 67th Annual Commission on the Status of Women. She aims to share the stories of inspirational people and places on the East End and beyond.