2010 Audience and Participant Comments:

When we bought the tickets last night at the last minute we did not expect to be overwhelmed with the perfomances. What fun we had and so very much impressed with talents paraded before us. I am certainly become a member. Last night was also my niece first ballet attendance and she was extremely delighted. We wish you all a continued success and keep up the good work.

Luz MacArthur (On Gala of the Stars 2010)

It was a great experience to be able to compete in the 2010 WBC. Being able to meet, see, and make new friends with other dancers was amazing. The whole process of preparing for WBC helps you push beyond your original level and grow as a dancer.  Before WBC I had never participated in a competition, but now I can not wait to compete again.  What I feel would be a great addition to the competition is personal feedback and general corrections from the judges so that you know what you need to work on.

Deborah Weatherly-Rosner

Dear WBC and whomever this may concern,

Thank you so much for such a wonderful competition experience this past week for our students. The atmosphere was truly very comfortable, professional, and relaxed, and we were thoroughly impressed and satisfied with our time in Orlando. Our students were afforded tremendous opportunities that will no doubt contribute to their long-term success and growth.

Thank you again for such a wonderful experience, and we will be in touch soon.

Best regards,

Hailey Agran

First of all, we had a wonderful time at the competition. Thanks so much for all the hard work you put into making it successful and enjoyable.

Laurie Cutsinger

Just wanted to pass on what a wonderful experience this competition has been. Alex felt it was one of the best experiences of her dance life to date. The Gala was fabulous. The professionalism of the competition was a breath of fresh air. Thank you for the wonderful memories for my daughter.

Sincerely,

Kelly Koszeghy

Dear WBC,

I wanted to personally thank the staff of WBC for such a wonderful experience for our students. It was a great pleasure to spend time with Vladimir and Vasile, and I so appreciate the phenomenal job you are doing with this competition.

The organization and atmosphere were very professional, and it was very helpful that each student received personal stage time. In addition, it was nice to see the scores immediately following each competitor, and the judging was truly very objective and honest in awarding the medals and places. It would be great to see more ensembles in the future, as well as potentially separate categories for males and females as it is difficult at times for them to compete together. Also, perhaps having a clear description of what the expectations are for contemporary pieces would help us, and everyone else, greatly in the future.

I would love to see this competition continue to grow and prosper, as I'm sure it will; please know that our school would be more than willing to help in any way we can with any aspect of future growth. Thank you again for such a wonderful experience; we had a lovely time in Orlando, and are greatly looking forward to working with you again in the near future.

Kindest regards,

Alyona B. Yakovleva

As a competitor in this year's World Ballet Competition, I want to thank you again for the chance to compete. It was a really good opportunity.

Rebecca Cornett

Amazing – more performances.

Anonymous

What a treasure! Thank you for holding this in Orlando!

Lilybet Sep

I enjoyed this Gala very much (2^nd time I’ve attended). Drove from St. Pete just for the event. Keep up the good work. I’ve been watching the live streaming on the internet. Very good – told a friend he could get an idea of what I enjoy about ballet by watching the live streaming.

Bill Weiss

I judge music competitions in the Southeast. This is the best organized and most efficiently run competition I have seen. Kudos to Vasile Petrutiu and Vladimir Bykov.

Leslie Fillmer/Alabama Ballet Music Director

We really enjoyed the World Ballet Competition.

Tiffany Poth

World Ballet Competition. A fabulous event every year! Let’s keep it here in the arca. Can we also try to bring back Orlando Opera. Big Fan!

Melissa D’Avanzo

2009 Audience and Participant Comments: 

Vasile, CONGRATULATIONS on a wonderful event!!!!! I am honored, once again, to have been asked to assist. Thank you for bringing such an event to Orlando and for allowing me to be a small part of helping to make it a success. I didn't think last year's Gala could be any better, as how do you improve on great; and then came this year's and I was wrong -- is there such a thing as super-great? If so you did it.
Your friend,
Teresa

Dear Mr. Petrutiu:
We want to congratulate you for the amazing quality of the competition. We have been following it through livestream.com and honestly it has been remarkably organized.
- Carolina Pascual

Thank you for giving my daughter a great competition opportunity. I really appreciate your guys' hard work and dedication to this wonderful competition experience.
Thank you,
Koichi Kamikusa

This event will serve to elevate the perception of the arts in our community on state-wide and national levels as Central Florida Ballet is known for its adherence to the highest artistic standards.

-Mark Fischer, General Manager & Principal Horn – Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra

It was a great experience to participate in the 2009 World Ballet Competition. My daughter Agnes Su and all other family members had a great time, especially watching the Gala which was one of the best we ever attended. Great job!
- Susan Zhang

With competitors of high quality, many coming from other top ballet competitions, the rounds of each competition were marked by exemplary technique and artistry. Still amazed by the multitude of talented competitors, I was not prepared for the Gala of the Stars, which could have been an event all by itself.

-Mihaela Vieru, Owner/Publisher - Dance for You Magazine

The new and fresh World Ballet Competition will exist for many years because of its fair and unique way of scoring and fantastic, professional organization. I thank the World Ballet Competition for the wonderful chance to truly perform. This is definitely how all ballet competitions should be.

-Joseph Gatti

Congratulations on another wonderful competition week and gala!
- Deedee Sherman

Thank you for putting on this wonderful competition. These events really do help the students/dancers grow.

-Barry M. Trammell

Thank you for your wonderful competition. I am enjoying the online broadcast
and I love seeing the scores. Your competition broadcast is one-of-a-kind.
Carolyn Anacan Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Vasile,
Congratulations on a wonderful showcase performance on Saturday. I was blown away by the talent at that performance. Bravo!
Best regards,
Scott T. Evans
Director, Orange County Arts Education Center

Greetings, Vasile. Again, my heartfelt thanks to you for inviting me to participate in the incredible World Ballet Competition - Gala of the Stars. I often tell people my association with Alabama Ballet and the Alabama Symphony has been the greatest joy of my professional life, but having the opportunity to work with the phenomenal and artistically sensitive musicians of the Orlando Philharmonic along with the Stars was quite beyond my imagination! Our love to you, your staff and the wonderful people who are so dedicated to Central Florida Ballet and the World Ballet Competition. Best wishes for even bigger and better successes in the future and thanks again for your kind consideration and hospitality. Hope we can get together again very soon.
-Les Fillmer, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor