Kamie Lightburn Hosts Palm Beach Luncheon Honoring YAGP with Ramona Singer and Notable Guests

Kamie Lightburn brought a touch of ballet brilliance to Palm Beach as she hosted a glamorous luncheon in honor of Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) at The Colony Hotel on April 9th. Set in the hotel’s iconic Ballroom, the luncheon served as a chic prelude to the much-anticipated YAGP Gala at Lincoln Center later this month. Kamie, a YAGP Board Member and Gala committee member, shared her love for the arts with 75 close friends, inviting them to join her in New York for what she called “my favorite night of the year,” where rising stars and seasoned ballet legends share the stage.

Shannon Gibbons, Vice President of Development at YAGP, offered heartfelt remarks on the organization’s impact: “YAGP makes dancers' dreams come true.” Founded 26 years ago by Larissa and Gennadi Saveliev, YAGP has become the world’s largest dance network, launching the careers of dancers now gracing the stages of Paris Opera Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and The Royal Ballet. A dazzling performance followed the speeches, with Macie Miersch from Sarasota Ballet performing a variation from La Bayadère and Crystal Huang from ABT’s JKO School dancing Valse Masquerade, choreographed by YAGP alumnus Brady Farrar with a costume by Dennis Basso.

The afternoon was capped by an impromptu tribute from Katherine Gage Boulud to Kamie, prompting a standing ovation from a crowd that included Ramona Singer, Lauren Day Roberts, Sharon Bush, Eleanora Kennedy, Cece Black, and Michael Kovner. Macie and Crystal, the guests of honor, joined Kamie and her friends for a joyful group portrait—a fitting snapshot of a day dedicated to nurturing the next generation of ballet stars.

The celebration now sets its sights on April 29th, when YAGP’s “Stars of Today Meets the Stars of Tomorrow” Gala takes over Lincoln Center. Hosted by Melanie Hamrick and featuring international ballet companies and future greats, the event will honor Sarah Hoover and feature a benefit dinner sponsored by Oscar de la Renta. Fashionably decorated with custom pointe shoes from designers like Alice + Olivia, Carolina Herrera, and Michael Kors, the gala promises to be as dazzling as the talent it celebrates. Tickets are available at YAGP.org.

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