The School of Classical Russian Ballet
A life-changing education
Outstanding Ballet Training with artistic, technical and academic excellence in an inspiring and dynamic environment
The School of Classical Russian Ballet is a charity that offers vocational students life- changing ballet training and academic education. Russian classical ballet is at the heart of the school just as it has been at the heart of ballet for over 300 years.
Due to the Covid-19 health crisis the school is currently closed but we are continuing to take applications for auditions and entry to the school in 2020/21. We hope to re-open for lessons during the summer. The welfare and protection of our students and staff are of paramount importance and timings in relation to re-opening the school will be based both on that criteria and on the lifting of Government restrictions. Please contact the school on info@classicalballet.org if you have any queries or would like to make an application for audition for full time training or pre-vocational training.
Full Time Ballet Training Ages 14- 19
We believe that the best dancers are made by the best teachers. To be a great ballet teacher requires wisdom, theatrical and technical experience and great artistry. The three year ballet training course that the School of Classical Russian Ballet offers is inspirational and outstanding because of the teachers. All the Artistic Staff were former leading soloists of the Bolshoi or Mariinsky Ballets, which are the oldest and most prestigious ballet companies in the world. The words most often used to describe the teachers who are responsible for our ballet training are that they are utterly dedicated, exceptionally knowledgeable, humble, demanding and caring. Russian Classical ballet has produced many of the world greatest dancers and the reason is because of the ballet training system. The teachers know the classical repertoire in extraordinary detail, they carry much of every classic in their head and live to teach what they know. They believe classical ballet is the base for all movement from neo-classical to contemporary. It is a complex and beautiful language. Performances are also a vitally profound element of the ballet training of any successful student and the School of Classical Russian Ballet performs many times a year to create technically strong and able dancers.
The school also believes that all its students deserve a comprehensive education and so during the three year ballet training course, academic education in the form of A- levels are compulsory. The school believes that knowledge makes a young person powerful and rounded. A complete education, which is more significant and flexible than a degree in dance, offers the maximum choice in a highly competitive world. Our students are able to dance in great companies and if they wish they are able to choose to complete a university degree either instead or afterwards. This makes our school highly unusual. We value our students tremendously.
“I’m privileged to have teachers of such prestige. The incredible technique and discipline at the School of Classical Russian Ballet make it a truly special school. It’s amazing the support we get in both ballet and academics.”
ABOUT BALLET TRAINING AT THE SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL RUSSIAN BALLET
Welcome from the Artistic Director Evgeny Goremykin
OPENING DOORS
The School of Classical Russian Ballet was founded on the heritage of the Russian Classical Ballet Theatre, the traditions of which are over 300 years old. I have had this tradition in my blood since the age of ten when I walked into the Bolshoi Ballet School.
Pre-vocational Ballet Training Ages 9 – 15
Full-time Ballet Training Ages 14 – 19
OUR OUTSTANDING GRADUATE OF 2019
MARIANNE ALLEN
WINNER OF THE BORIS AKIMOV PRIZE 2019 FOR EXCEPTIONAL TALENT AND ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT DURING HER BALLET TRAINING AT THE SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL RUSSIAN BALLET
Marianne Allen was a bursary student at the School of Classical Russian Ballet and was one of our first full time students. She showed incredible dedication and commitment and danced many of the major classical roles in the theatre performances of the school including Princess Florine, the Lilac Fairy and Paquita. She also received three A’s in her A-level subjects of English, Philosophy and History. She had several offers from different companies on graduation but settled on Astana Ballet where she was promoted to soloist within two months. We congratulate Marianne who represents so well the School of Classical Russian Ballet.
OUTREACH AND BALLET TRAINING AT
THE SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL RUSSIAN BALLET
An amazing aspect of the ballet training at the School of Classical Russian Ballet is the number of performances staged each year. The school is very proud of the partnerships it has developed in the borough of Lambeth with different schools. Each year it performs for over 1000 children in two performances at the Oval Cricket Ground and with the generous support of the Oval Trustees. The students of the school prepare and rehearse with the artistic staff tirelessly to develop technique, stage experience and repertoire as a vital part of their own ballet training and also to create an afternoon of theatre for young children who have never seen a ballet.
Oval Christmas Performance 9th December 2019
“Thank you for inviting us to see the ballet performance on Monday 9th December at the Oval. It was spectacular! Our children thoroughly enjoyed it and were inspired!
We loved the diversity, elegance and the beauty of all the performances and this helped to address misconceptions of what ballet is all about and who ballet is targeted at.
You are doing a great job! keep inspiring our children!”
We were delighted to perform for 500 children from our Lambeth partnership schools. The performance was a huge success!
Taking Ballet Outside London
Manchester Performances
In Partnership with Co-op Academies Trust the School of Classical Russian Ballet took to the stage twice for over 1000 students and members of the local community in an area of Manchester where there has never been a ballet performance before. The two trips were tiring but very rewarding. They provided the opportunity to understand what it is like to take a performance on tour, to arrive at the railway station tired, catch a coach and then perform twice in the day before arriving back in London very late. These insights into the life of a professional dancer are an essential part of the ballet training our school provides. They grow strength, determination, stamina and allow the students to present themselves on stage with greater and greater confidence. Moving from our ballet school in
London to an area where there has never been a ballet before was challenging but definitely worth it. We have been asked to return in 2020 not just to Manchester but also to Stoke-on-Trent. The School of Classical Russian Ballet believes this represents not only exceptional opportunity for stage practice and improving repertoire skills but also is a wonderful way to share ballet and classical music with young children who too often have no experience of these art forms. The purpose of years of outstanding ballet training in London is to share the wonderful results with different audiences in London and outside.
Our Vocational and Pre-vocational students travelled to the Co-op Academy Manchester on 15th November 2019 for two performances for over 500 children and local people. The first ballet performance ever in that part of Manchester! This great trip was a huge success, Academy students ran up to the performers to congratulate them. “It was mesmerising. I felt like I was inside a story….” Maya from the Co-op Academy. Just one of the many comments we received. Our next two Manchester performances take place on 29th November 2019.
