INSTILLING A LOVE FOR BALLET

Our Mission at Russian School of Ballet

Our mission is to inspire each of our students to achieve their own ballet dream. We pass on our knowledge, expertise and the Vaganova ballet technique, ensuring each student has thorough training in Russian ballet and dance. Taking the expertise into their dance technique and their everyday lives.

Our goal, at the Russian School of Ballet (RSB), is to instill a love of dance in each student, to give them skills that last a lifetime.

We lay the foundation, training our students with the concept of discipline, determination, and dedication. These skills begin with ballet and are useful in all aspects of our students’ lives.

Russian School Of Ballet Parkhurst 071 179 6394

Professional Ballet Training at Russian School of Ballet

Skills that last a lifetime

Our highly experienced, carefully selected teachers treat each student with respect, expertise and a passion for developing their potential and personality through the expression of dance. Our classes are holistic, where each student is seen as a whole, as a unique being that requires full attention and assistance.

Hence, our method of teaching is not one of “repeating what the teacher does”, but one of embracing each student’s strengths and transforming it into beautiful movement and techniques.

Our top-quality studios, equipped with a wall of mirrors, spring floor with Harlequin Studio mats, is the perfect environment for dancers to learn the Vaganova Ballet Method. This method of ballet was refined in Russia, and is developed to work on the body as a whole, so that movement is fluid, The Vaganova Ballet Method has been the core training of many of the world’s finest classical dancers.

Each level in our comprehensive program is a stepping stone to advancing our student’s training. Safe, structured and nurturing. Each of our skilled instructors takes into account the unique anatomy, physical and cognitive development of each student.

We offer classes for boys and girls from age three through to pre-professional training. Get in touch today to find out about our classes and options for all students.

THE VAGANOVA METHOD OF BALLET TRAINING

The Vaganova Method is a ballet technique and training system developed by the Russian teacher Agrippina Vaganova (1879–1951). This system derived from the teaching methods of the old Imperial Ballet School (today the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet) under the Premier Maître de Ballet Marius Petipa throughout the mid to late 19th century, though mostly throughout the 1880s and 1890s. It fused the romantic style of the French ballet and dramatic soulfulness of the Russian character with the athletic virtuosity that characterizes the Italian school. It was Vaganova who perfected and cultivated this form of teaching the art of classical ballet into a workable syllabus. Her Fundamentals of the Classical Dance (1934) remains a standard textbook for the instruction of ballet technique. This technique is one of the most popular techniques today.

The training system is designed to involve the whole body in every movement, with equal attention paid to the upper body, legs and feet. Vaganova believed that this approach increases consciousness of the body, thus creating a harmony of movement and greater expressive range. As a dancer, Vaganova was lauded for her strong jumps and elegant technique, but she wasn’t an emotionally expressive dancer. This criticism influenced the marriage of intricate footwork and artistic expression that encapsulates her technique.

RESIDENT TEACHERS

Yana Auger

It is impossible to predict the influence ballet will have on a person’s life. It is always a personal journey (for students and parents) and I have come to respect this deeply. I started ballet when I was 7 years old. In Russia, even at the amateur level, ballet is taught very seriously for 1.5 hours 3 times a week…

Anatoly Babenky teaching at Russian School of Ballet Johannesburg

Anatoly Babenko

Anatoly received his professional ballet training and graduated from the Kiev Ballet Academy, in 1978. Following graduation, he worked first at the Rubina’s Jewish Ballet Theatre, later joined the Shevchenko National Theatre of Opera and Ballet…

Stefania Du Toit

Graduated with a Distinction from The Cape Academy of Performing Arts where she received her diploma in Performing Arts and other related studies. She is also a certified Pilates instructor and was a member of the Cape Dance Company.

Karmia Postma

Karmia Postma started dancing at 6 years old in the RAD ballet syllabus. She has also trained in Spanish Dancing and Contemporary. In 2013, at age 17, she switched to Vaganova. She loved the way ballet was explained to her. She came to understand how the body worked to help her perform at a higher standard…

Svetlana Timmerman

Svetlana Timmerman is an international Ballroom and Latin American champion, teacher and judge, as well as an experienced ballet teacher. She first loved athletics and figure skating until she ‘tried out’ dancing at age 12 in one of the cultural palaces in Kovrov, Russia. At 13 she won her first gold medal…

GUEST TEACHERS

Elena Kukseva

Elena Kukseva is a highly respected ballet mistress who holds a teaching certificate from the prestigious Vaganova Ballet Academy, in St. Petersburg, Russia. Since 2014, Elena is a regular guest of Russian School of Ballet.

Alexei Illin teaching at Russian School of Ballet Johannesburg

Alexei Ilin

Aleksei Ilin is an internationally recognized ballet instructor and master who has traveled the world, passionately imparting the knowledge and understanding of dance to those whose career path has crossed his.

Igor Davidov

At age 12, Igor began ballet training at the Nureyev Ballet College, Ufa, and continued at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, graduating with a distinction as a Ballet Artist in 2005.

WHY PARENTS AND STUDENTS CHOOSE THE RUSSIAN SCHOOL OF BALLET

The production each year is not simply a “studio concert”.. it gives each child the opportunity to experience what a true ballet performance is all about, from the preparation to the end result. This is a unique experience at RSB

Karen Doyer

For me it all comes down to the teacher and the way they interact and inspire my child. Alisa is a great ballet teacher, especially with the little ones. My daughter is constantly inspired to be a great ballerina, and for me this is the reason why I contacted and attend RSB.

Shaira Naidoo

Yana is a dedicated and caring teacher who has put immense personal time and effort into researching sport and growth injuries specific to dancers. She uses this training and knowledge to assist her dance students to exercise, and recover from injuries that are a natural part of any committed dancer’s training and career. She is the only instructor I have ever come across who puts in this level of dedication for her students.

Debby Dyball

OUR WORLD CLASS DANCE STUDIO IN PARKHURST

The Russian School of Ballet boasts a large professional dance studio conveniently situated in the heart of Parkhurst, Sandton. with everything. We pay attention to detail in our studio including everything from specialised flooring for Ballet Dancers to the perfect room temperature with industrial air conditioners supplied by Voltas Technologies .

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