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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 area 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 adults and have extensive performance
and instructional experience in the disciplines they teach.
Our classes are technique oriented. Students spend the majority of the year learning correct
technique in each discipline, not just a recital dance. (End of the Year performance pieces
typically are not started until after Spring Break. Students must learn how to dance before
learning a dance.)
We also provide our students with plenty of 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, body placement, 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 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: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 until they reach intermediate level classes. 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. ARB will be adding special Recreational
intermediate and advanced classes in September 2010.
Q:I've heard that Russian training is very harsh. Is this so?
A; Many people see "Russian" and automatically think severe and strict (or have had negative
experiences in the past); 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 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 two 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. 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 The Northern
Virginia Youth Ballet, a 501c3 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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