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Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: What is the Vaganova Method?
A: The Vaganova method is one of the six schools of ballet (others being French, Bournonville,
Italian, RAD, and Balanchine). It was developed by Agrippina Vaganova from her dissatisfaction
with the weaknesses of the old Imperial style and her own technical shortcomings. The syllabus
creates dancers with strong and supple backs, fluid port de bras (arms), high extensions, and
strong jumps. It is the training system used throughout Russia and the former Soviet Republics.
Famous examples of Vaganova trained dancers are Baryshnikov, Nureyev, Makarova, Vishneva. It
is considered one of the strongest and most technically pure techniques.
Q: What sets ARB apart from other studios?
A: ARB is set apart from other area studios by bringing together the highest quality training in the
area with individual consideration towards each student's needs in a positive learning
environment. All of our instructors are highly qualified and have extensive performance
experience in the disciplines they teach.
We also provide our students with performing experience-our students dance all roles in three
professional level productions per year, not stand in the background dancing the same parts. The
knowledge that all roles in a production are available to them gives the students obtainable goals
and encourages artistic growth.
As we are one of the highest quality schools in the area, we attract students from not only PW
county but Upperville, Warrenton, Front Royal, Arlington, and Alexandria. Our students are
culturally diverse with some coming from Russia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Germany, Korea,
China, Mexico and the Caribbean!
Q: What can my child and I expect from a ballet class?
A: A typical ballet class is divided into two parts: Barre and Centre. Movements start small at the
barre and gradually work up to large movements such as grand allegro in the centre. Please
remember that movements are age and level appropriate and will vary by class. The constant
repetition of steps and movements is also an important part of ballet training and the only way for
the body to properly acquire muscle memory. Our younger students do not work at the barre (this
is introduced in Ballet II) but learn all movements and positions in centre. Our Creative
Movement, Pre Ballet, Ballet I, and Ballet II classes also follow a syllabus carefully developed by
Yuri and Jasmine Nikitenko that properly teaches steps, positions, posture, and movements. The
youngest students (ages 3-5) use training props and games to help them remember movements
and develop musicality (it also is a lot of fun!!)
Q:What level of commitment is required?
A: The level of commitment can vary from a student interested in only one or two classes a week
to a serious student taking multiple classes six days per week. Our younger students typically
attend class once or twice a week. Only students in our Professional Track have attendance
minimums. However, parents of intermediate and advanced students should understand that a
child that takes only one or two classes per week will not progress as quickly or become as
technically proficient as a student that attends several times per week or more.
Q:What have your students accomplished?
A: Our current and past students have been accepted to prestigious summer intensives at The
Kirov Academy, Washington School of Ballet, Bossov Ballet Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem,
The Governor's School, and American Ballet Theatre.
Our students have also placed in the Top-12 of their divisions at Youth America Grand Prix, the
acclaimed international student ballet scholarship competition.
We also stress the importance of higher education and our students have gone on to attend
universities such as James Madison University, Dickinson College, Hollins University,
Shenandoah University, Mary Washington University, and George Mason University-many with
scholarships and placement in Honors Programs.
Q:Why do you consider your school positive and a healthy environment?
A: We expect each child to perform to the best of his/her ability, something that will help them
excel in life. We also believe students' and teachers' attitudes in class should positive overall;
unnecessary, unwarranted, and continual negativity is detrimental to the young dancer's psyche
and self esteem as well as not needed.
We also stress nutrition and health; we do not pressure young ballet dancers with weight issues.
Q:I've heard that Russian training is very harsh. Is this so?
A; Many people see "Russian" and automatically think severe and strict; although we are serious in
our proper teaching of technique, all of our instructors are friendly, approachable, and have a
great rapport with their students. We teach each child how to work to the best of their own
individual abilities and physical capabilities to become the best dancer they can possibly be.
Q: What should I look for in a ballet school?
A: Aside from instructor experience and credentials, one should look at the physical environment
of the school. Is it fairly clean? Are the bathrooms clean? Is the facility up to date? Are the floors
sprung and marley covered to help prevent injury? Also look at the attitudes of current students.
Do they look healthy and happy inside and outside of class? Do they seem to enjoy their classes
and their instructors? Are the movements age and level appropriate? At ARB, you will find the
answer to all these questions to be "yes".
Q; What is the "Professional Track"?
A: The Professional Track is designed to help serious students in Ballet III, IV, and V train for a
professional stage career and/or university dance major. Each student has three conferences per
year with the Directors where strengths, weaknesses, progress, etc. are discussed. Each PT student
has an individualized training plan to help facilitate artistic growth and progress. As we also expect
our students to perform well academically, PT students must not receive a grade lower than a "C"
on their report cards. Our YAGP competitors are also chosen from students of the Professional
Track. The program is rigorous yet rewarding, encouraging, and exciting.
Q: Does ARB have any performances?
A: Yes, we have our annual full length production of "The Nutcracker", our "Spring Concert", and
the "End of Year Spectacular". Our performances are professional quality and an important tool
for developing our "Artists in Training". We are also in the process of organizing a 501c3 Youth
Ballet Company, our non-profit professional student ballet company.
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The Academy of Russian Ballet~8840A Rixlew Lane~ Manassas, VA~ 20109
703~368~2268
JLNikitenko, website design, All Rights Reserved
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