Meet our Expert Teachers
Viaceslav Baltaga
Viaceslav Baltaga graduated from the renowned Kyiv State Ballet Academy and was a principal ballet dancer in Romania for a number of years where he danced most of the iconic male roles, including the Jester in Swan Lake, Prince in Nutcracker and Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet. His teaching experience includes the state ballet school in Iasi, Romania and Danceworks and DanceAttic in London. He also has extensive experience in coaching rhythmic gymnasts in the ballet elements of their training. He was invited to teach and choreograph in China where he also coached children for national and international competitions. Viaceslav is currently working towards his degree in teaching and choreography from the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts.
Alyona Solovkova
Alyona Solovkova studied at the Kazan state School of Ballet, Russia for 7 years. She was awarded a full scholarship to attend the Central School of Ballet, London and graduated in 2004. During her training at the CSB she performed with The Mariinsky ballet at the Royal Opera House. On graduating, she performed as a soloist at both the Constanta and Iasi Opera Houses in Romania. Alyona was Head of Children's Ballet at the London Russian Ballet School where she taught children and adults. She was also invited to choreograph pieces for the children in the school’s performances. Most recently Alyona was invited to teach in China where she taught children, choreographed and coached children for national and international competitions. She is currently finishing her teaching qualification course with ISTD.
Classes
| Foundation Ballet (Ages 6-8) |
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Building on the technique foundations developed, these classes of 75 minutes' duration will increase the students' step vocabulary with slightly longer exercises and the introduction of new steps to increase strength and stamina. Stretching to improve flexibility will also form part of these classes. Students will continue to work on and develop their performance skills and artistry in large and small group settings. In this age group, students may be encouraged to audition for Associate schemes which begin at 8 years old to give them additional exposure to ballet in a different setting or style. |
| Preparatory Ballet (Ages 8-10) |
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These classes are designed to bridge the gap between foundation classes and pre-vocational training allowing students to continue their training in a serious and focused environment. Exercises will build on the technique and step vocabulary developed in Foundation classes with, incorporating floor, barre and centre work. As in earlier levels, stretching exercises will also form a core part of the Preparatory programme in order to improve students’ flexibility and strength. Students will work further on their performance skills and artistry in group settings. Students will be encouraged to attend short intensive courses and master classes to afford them a broader exposure to different ballet styles. |
| Pre-vocational Ballet(Ages 9+) |
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The purpose of these classes is to prepare students to reach an appropriate standard to audition for vocational training from age 11; attendance in these classes is at the invitation of the Directors only. Ballet classes are of 90-120 minutes duration with students attending a minimum of 4 days per week. Students will widen their step vocabulary and learn longer and more complex exercises whilst continuing to develop their technique and strength. Classes will comprise barre and centre work with some floor work. A separate stretch class will also be available to work on strength and flexibility. Pre-pointe work will form part of these classes for all students to allow them to focus on ensuring that they have built the correct technique and strength to progress on to pointe. Progression to pointe in this group is solely at the discretion of our teachers once a student has demonstrated sufficient readiness. Any pointe work undertaken in these classes will be limited and introductory in its nature. Introductory character and contemporary dance will also be included for students. Students will also have opportunities to develop their performance skills and may be selected to work towards attending competitions or festivals both as part of a group or an individual. Students are also encouraged to audition for and/or attend Associate schemes, intensive courses and masterclasses outside of the school to expand their ballet horizons. |
| Stretch and Strengthening |
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Safe stretch and strengthening exercises will form part of classes at all levels to develop the required levels of flexibility for ballet – for the younger students this will take place within their ballet classes and for the older students it will form a separate class. Exercises set will be age appropriate and focus on complementing the student’s current level of ballet training whilst beginning to prepare them to progress in their training. Floor-based exercises to build strength and flexibility will also form a core part of ballet classes. These classes will also target specific areas for students to help build and improve technique and individual exercises may be given for a student to work on at home under supervision. |
| Postgraduate Training (18+) |
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We recognise that on completion of vocational training, not all students will feel ready to go straight into a professional company for any number of reasons. With this in mind, we have developed this postgraduate training course for students who feel that they need additional time to prepare to audition for professional companies. This course is also suitable for professional dancers looking to maintain an appropriate standard of training between contracts. Class sizes will be kept deliberately small to allow us to focus on the specific needs of our individual students to prepare them adequately for auditions and life in a professional company. Admission to the course will be by audition only during which a student’s potential for professional companies will be assessed. We recognise that our potential students will have a wide ranging interest in where they would like their career to take them and will endeavour to encompass this as part of their training. Admission will be on a term-by-term basis as we recognise that some students may progress faster and feel readier to audition sooner than others. The programme runs 6 days a week, covering ballet class, stretch and strengthening, pas de deux, repertoire, contemporary dance, character dance and audition specific coaching. Ballet class will be delivered to the standard of company class but will also allow students to focus on and develop particular areas of technique where they feel more work is required. Pas de deux will be given as a separate class and additional training will be provided during repertoire rehearsals. Students will be expected to take time away from class to review their variations as danced by a number of dancers to compare and contrast styles. Performance opportunities will be available, including competitions. |
| Private Coaching |
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Whilst we strongly believe that the best environment for learning ballet is in a group setting, we also recognise that many students will benefit from occasional private coaching in order to work on particular areas of technique away from a class setting. Private and semi-private coaching is also available for students to work on pieces for competition or performance outside of a class setting or for audition preparation. |
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Showreel
Our students’ ballet journey in action: laying the foundations of technique, flexibility and strength in class to refining their artistry in rehearsal to shining on stage in productions and competitions. With passion and dedication, there are many steps on this journey and the opportunities can be endless.