How many ballerinas can dance on tiptoes in one place? A world record 353 at New York’s Plaza Hotel
NEW YORK — Hundreds of young dancers in white tutus and tightly cropped hair gathered at the Plaza Hotel in New York on Wednesday to break the world record for dancing on pointe in one place.
The spectacle was organized by Youth America Grand Prix, a ballet fellowship program celebrating its 25th anniversary with three nights of performances at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
The dancers included students ages 9 to 19 competing for scholarships, as well as professional dancers who are members of the program.
Tchaikovsky music played as the ballerinas stood on their toes and quickly shifted their weight from one foot to the other – a step called a bourrée – for a full minute.
Tina Shi, jury member for Guinness World Records, announced the results: “353, that’s a new Guinness world record! Congratulations!”
The New York-based Youth America Grand Prix has been organizing the world’s largest student ballet scholarship competition since 1999.
The previous record for ballerinas on pointe en masse was 306.