@ballerinagirl111 They are 10-11. I am not a dancer, but I grew up in Russia and I read Russian ballet/opera forums and in one the parents discussed admission to Vaganova. There is a law now in Russia that says the children need to complete elementary school i.e. first 4 grades (starting at 7). This makes them 11, but some kids manage to complete these 4 grades in 3 years or start earlier are 10.
I couldn't agree more about it being the best in the world. There are some incredible dancers from other schools, but when you compare students, there is so much more strength, power, largeness in the vaganova school. I love it and can't really watch anything else with as much appreciation.
i wonder have the girls had any ballet training before coming to Vaganova? it seems like they would have to, they are already so strong and on pointe their first year there
okay, their turn out is insane. my school did vaganova for a while. we're doing cecchetti now. my teacher likes to alternate. its nice being able to know both i guess. they're good though. especially for being so young. they've got alot of control. nobody is like falling over their shoes or anything. i've been dancing for 12 now=]
Although these are simple exercises, the Russian method of "springing" onto pointe could be detrimental to the bone structure of their feet at such a young age. But then again, who am I to question the Vaganova legacy. They are beautiful dancers.
that is interesting about the not rolling down. Is that really the case always when coming off pointe in Vaganova? How can then look light as they land? How is that achieved if they don't roll through their feet?
@huixue When rolling down in Vaganova, you don't exactly just jump straight to flat, but you lower to your heels before the plie, as apposed to other styles where you plie while coming down. If you watch a class from a Russian school, you'll notice we don't always plie after coming down- we usually just spring down to flat to finish :)
@GawkyBallerina thank you. that makes sense. And it explains why some of the girls I used to teach after being badly trained would start their plie before their heels reached the floor, which never made sense to me.
@icarrus4u They do not encourage it because it is wrong in the Vaganova technique (it comes from Cecchetti's technique). There is not rolling through demi pointe - one springs on pointe, and then back on flat .
Thanks so much for posting these videos! I am a new ballet teacher and grew up with teachers who were trained at this school. It will be so helpful to have these combinations that I know will be so perfect for my new little class!
point taken-it can't be too idiosyncratic and the rhythm needs to be clear. However,class music at all levels ought to also inspire (variety of harmonic styles) otherwise the ears switch off.
Pointe shoes look so foreign on very young dancers!
I would usually dissaprove of children that young being en pointe but It's Vaganova, they certainly know what they're doing by now and these girls are well trained. :)
I don't think there's a better school to teach or method to be taught when it comes to ballet.
The best technique in the world doesn't change the undeniable fact that their bones are not fully ossified in their joints.
Not to mention that the best ballet school, to a small extent, is a matter of taste in technique. The best schools in Russia are equivalent to the best schools in US, UK and France.
First grade starts at 10 years of age. There is no ballet before that. The first part of the year every exercise is done very slowly, and poses are introduced one at a time. Pointe is only in the second half of the year. This is the end of the first year. Look up the Vaganova syllabus. I suggest "School of Classical Dance" by Kostrovitskaya and Pisarev, translated by Barker. The syllabus lasts 8 years, and teaches everything. Classes are from 4 to 6 days a week, not less.
They're all ten and eleven ( same age as fifth grade in the US) and they take classes daily, plus they aren't doing anything extremely difficult, so no, the'yre fine :^)
Very good work in a group, staying in line with others; this is exactly what is strived for in the first year. The heads turn when they are supposed to (which not only develops balance but strengthens the neck and makes it flexible). The arms are already moving well. All of that is learned at the barre, not on pointe, but it is applied to all the center and pointe work. The legs are turned out. Nobody hops in their echappes. It requires daily classes to achieve; and pays off later.
Thanks! How very interesting to see how they start directly with the corps de ballet stuff.
and also how advanced they are in the pointe work. Some things caught my attention - in the pas de bourre dessous/dessus excercise they went directly to cou de pied par terre and in the assemblé on pointe they turned the head already in the degagé a la seconde
@ballerinagirl111 They are 10-11. I am not a dancer, but I grew up in Russia and I read Russian ballet/opera forums and in one the parents discussed admission to Vaganova. There is a law now in Russia that says the children need to complete elementary school i.e. first 4 grades (starting at 7). This makes them 11, but some kids manage to complete these 4 grades in 3 years or start earlier are 10.
serrateresa 3 months ago
@maksimowawasiliew
I couldn't agree more about it being the best in the world. There are some incredible dancers from other schools, but when you compare students, there is so much more strength, power, largeness in the vaganova school. I love it and can't really watch anything else with as much appreciation.
huixue 9 months ago
I like the part at 6:40
mercocfo 11 months ago
i wonder have the girls had any ballet training before coming to Vaganova? it seems like they would have to, they are already so strong and on pointe their first year there
sarahdanceify 11 months ago
@sarahdanceify
they sure had, and a lot! :)
Tropinkaa 8 months ago
is it sad that i wouldnt even be able to be in first grade and im fifteen?
kmaelan112 1 year ago
@kmaelan112 I feel your pain. I'm crap compared to them!
AriaInTheSky 10 months ago
are they on pointe shoes? cos i thought that you only did that when you were older ;) They're really good!
bayleaf1991 1 year ago
@bayleaf1991 Yes, it's pointes shoes.
mosaiquedo 9 months ago
@maksimowawasiliew how is that method better than rolling through the feet up and down from pointe?
BlooAvenue 1 year ago
Comment removed
ballarinoula95 1 year ago
@BlooAvenue
Well, I'm still wondering the same thing...
ballarinoula95 1 year ago
@BlooAvenue
I agree, the use of demi-pointe is important.
margondine 8 months ago
@maksimowawasiliew why?
BlooAvenue 1 year ago
do they do pointe work at the bar also??
rarie13 1 year ago
Ilya! Zkazajte, skolka let etim devotckam?
filmfelineadmin 1 year ago
ワガノワ!!さすがです。プリエのとき、いつも膝は真横。
バレエのためのロシア人って感じですね。
tasumarin 1 year ago
@maksimowawasiliew
Exactly!! The best method!
fantastikh 1 year ago
okay, their turn out is insane. my school did vaganova for a while. we're doing cecchetti now. my teacher likes to alternate. its nice being able to know both i guess. they're good though. especially for being so young. they've got alot of control. nobody is like falling over their shoes or anything. i've been dancing for 12 now=]
halfwaytomexico 1 year ago
this isnt first grade, they dont use point shoes in fist grade
maisumnomundo 1 year ago
@maisumnomundo
Of caurse they use point shoes from the age of 10..!
fantastikh 1 year ago
@maisumnomundo Not correct. I was on point in 3rd grade. And even younger students could. These girls are about ten years old.
filmfelineadmin 1 year ago
Although these are simple exercises, the Russian method of "springing" onto pointe could be detrimental to the bone structure of their feet at such a young age. But then again, who am I to question the Vaganova legacy. They are beautiful dancers.
Padancegrl13 1 year ago
that is interesting about the not rolling down. Is that really the case always when coming off pointe in Vaganova? How can then look light as they land? How is that achieved if they don't roll through their feet?
huixue 2 years ago
@huixue When rolling down in Vaganova, you don't exactly just jump straight to flat, but you lower to your heels before the plie, as apposed to other styles where you plie while coming down. If you watch a class from a Russian school, you'll notice we don't always plie after coming down- we usually just spring down to flat to finish :)
GawkyBallerina 1 year ago
@GawkyBallerina thank you. that makes sense. And it explains why some of the girls I used to teach after being badly trained would start their plie before their heels reached the floor, which never made sense to me.
huixue 9 months ago
wow they are really good!!!!
rarie13 2 years ago 3
I wonder why they don't encourage rolling through to plie...
icarrus4u 2 years ago
@icarrus4u They do not encourage it because it is wrong in the Vaganova technique (it comes from Cecchetti's technique). There is not rolling through demi pointe - one springs on pointe, and then back on flat .
gioland71 2 years ago
4:25 is the song from the nutcracker!! yay! gr8 job grls
divaballerina98 2 years ago
Thanks so much for posting these videos! I am a new ballet teacher and grew up with teachers who were trained at this school. It will be so helpful to have these combinations that I know will be so perfect for my new little class!
cgmontz 2 years ago
i tell you what they need-inspiring music.
3:33 is never gonna get them going...so dry and functional. I really despair when i hear this.
japanesesweet 2 years ago
The music is meant to be functional and to teach rhythm correctly.
bbmm7 2 years ago
point taken-it can't be too idiosyncratic and the rhythm needs to be clear. However,class music at all levels ought to also inspire (variety of harmonic styles) otherwise the ears switch off.
japanesesweet 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
They need a mcDonalds happy meal. Seriously!
roxynikko2 2 years ago
i love ballet but this video make me scared, they´re so perfect but so young!!1
TheFarbklecks 2 years ago
What is ARB stand for?
candykwong111 2 years ago
@candykwong111 Academy of Russian ballet, most likely
GawkyBallerina 1 year ago
Pointe shoes look so foreign on very young dancers!
I would usually dissaprove of children that young being en pointe but It's Vaganova, they certainly know what they're doing by now and these girls are well trained. :)
I don't think there's a better school to teach or method to be taught when it comes to ballet.
Jesuisanaa 2 years ago 6
The best technique in the world doesn't change the undeniable fact that their bones are not fully ossified in their joints.
Not to mention that the best ballet school, to a small extent, is a matter of taste in technique. The best schools in Russia are equivalent to the best schools in US, UK and France.
flapjackballet 2 years ago
First grade starts at 10 years of age. There is no ballet before that. The first part of the year every exercise is done very slowly, and poses are introduced one at a time. Pointe is only in the second half of the year. This is the end of the first year. Look up the Vaganova syllabus. I suggest "School of Classical Dance" by Kostrovitskaya and Pisarev, translated by Barker. The syllabus lasts 8 years, and teaches everything. Classes are from 4 to 6 days a week, not less.
bigposercroise 2 years ago 2
you mean 1st grade on point shoes dont you?
maisumnomundo 2 years ago
cool! i wish i was like that but it was too late ;( oh well!
bEsTfRieNdzZ94 2 years ago 2
it's really bad for young dancer to go on pointe!
bEsTfRieNdzZ94 2 years ago
Wow they are very good!
LoveTheLeft 2 years ago
Its amazing to see how the 1st graders started off with simple basic steps to the graduating students doing stunning movements...
BalletAnnie 2 years ago 3
i love this dance-i cant wait to go en pointe!!!
pinkyjt123 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
you people are terrible and ugly
winnder445 3 years ago
isn't bad for their feet at such a young age ?
xomollydolly 3 years ago
They're all ten and eleven ( same age as fifth grade in the US) and they take classes daily, plus they aren't doing anything extremely difficult, so no, the'yre fine :^)
Lilyluvhorses007 3 years ago 12
@Lilyluvhorses007 Some seem a bit lanky to be even that young. But I guess, in younger dancers, lanky is often a good thing.
trlkly 1 year ago
Comment removed
Ppendu 3 years ago
Ballet is very hard, but very beautiful too. Let are all this girls great ballerinas in future.
baletoman 3 years ago 2
How old are they? they must worked really hard
MissBallet0128 3 years ago
Very good work in a group, staying in line with others; this is exactly what is strived for in the first year. The heads turn when they are supposed to (which not only develops balance but strengthens the neck and makes it flexible). The arms are already moving well. All of that is learned at the barre, not on pointe, but it is applied to all the center and pointe work. The legs are turned out. Nobody hops in their echappes. It requires daily classes to achieve; and pays off later.
bigposercroise 3 years ago 5
this is great!
AlexandriaWong 3 years ago
Thanks! How very interesting to see how they start directly with the corps de ballet stuff.
and also how advanced they are in the pointe work. Some things caught my attention - in the pas de bourre dessous/dessus excercise they went directly to cou de pied par terre and in the assemblé on pointe they turned the head already in the degagé a la seconde
revoltade 3 years ago 5