vaganova_dancer

Hey everyone! Last summer I went to SIBA and really enjoyed it - I've been meaning to share about it here since I thought others might want to hear about this SI opportunity, but I've been so busy with everything that it slipped my mind... Anyway, since everyone is getting ready for SI auditions, I figured it would be a good time to finally post about it! Haha! Has anyone here ever been? I went for my first time last year and since I enjoyed it so much and saw huge growth and improvement, I would definitely like to go again. It's different from any other intensive I've ever done, because the way the program is set up, you are training as if you are part of a company, and so the entire day is set up in that sense. It made for a lot more rehearsals and less ballet school type classes, which was an adjustment, but it was something that I feel made me more prepared for the future when I join a professional ballet company. It was a really nice balance between getting quality instruction and corrections and education, as any dancer-in-training should receive, and getting to practice playing the role of 'professional ballerina' with the expressive freedom we were given/class company style class and rehearsal schedule/the atmosphere. In other words, we were treated like a company. Looking back, I so appreciate having that experience, to see what it might be like before I actually do it! I don't know how they did it, but somehow they were able to integrate all levels beginner through advanced/professional even with the "you are a company" approach - and that was amazing, to me. I mean, it's really good that every level was accommodated and still got so much out of it no matter what stage they were in their training. I don't know, that really stood out to me as a very big plus to this program. Also, in the other summer programs i have been to, the food was really great; but at SIBA it was just excellent. They accommodated everyone with special food needs and everything was so healthy and yummy. I found that to be a really important quality since, as a dancer, I feel it is of course of utmost importance to give my body enough energy from good foods so that I have strength in class. Haha, anyway, has anyone else here gone before? Anyone considering going? I would definitely recommend it! It was my favorite out of the other SIs I've been to, for sure. I also know they're offering a scholarship for boys this year, so I would highly recommend any boys interested to check this out as it's a really good way to get yourself to an SI when you ordinarily wouldn't have the funds. Here is the website in case anyone wants to see: http://siba-academy.com/ If anyone has any questions, I would be happy to answer them based on my experience. Have a nice time deciding on summer plans, everyone!

aileen, relevant or not, this is very interesting to know! double trouble - the ballet world is such a small one, isn't it? I will look up the school, perhaps I can contact her through there. Thank you, tulip and thequays =) One of my friends at my summer intensive just graduated from Bolshoi and she was able to get me in touch with a friend of hers who graduated from Perm after studying there for 3 years. So even though I've not gotten really anywhere as far as funding is concerned, I feel like I'm at least making some kind of progress by contacting people who are 'in the know'! Haha

The article did mention that she was one of two or three British girls studying there, so I suppose there is a chance you were thinking of another girl! And if British students studied there in the past, I would assume there may be some there now. I will keep googling to see what I can find, and if any of you knows anyone I might get in touch with, I would so appreciate it! Thanks so much for everybody's help already!

Yes primrose I am in touch with Heather! She is so sweet and has been really helpful and nice explaining things to me about ballet in Russia in general Re: funding - I am glad you said about the publicity, as that is what I am working on doing right now. So far I've tentatively scheduled to do two separate interviews (online on dance sites) as well as another site that will publish a blurb about me. My parents and I are trying to contact an Israeli newspaper as well. I found two organizations that I will contact because it seems they would be relevant. The first is the Ronen Foundation, and the second is the America-Israel Cultural Foundation. I will keep looking also. aileen, is Rachel Hernon the girl you were referring to? It took a while, but finally a google search turned this article up: http://menmedia.co.uk/tamesideadvertiser/news/s/531445_ballet_star_of_future_steps_out_in_russia It was written in 2007, and it says that it was her second year there out of a three-year course, so she will have graduated by now. But I will try to get in touch with her! Thank you for that tip. And many thanks to the rest of you for your congratulations! It feels unreal still

Hello and thank you!

Hello everyone! I posted about this on the Ballet Talk for Dancers forum and was recommended to come here Last week I received my acceptance letter from Perm State Ballet School in Russia! I am beyond excited!! Here is what I wrote on BT4D: One of the members there referred me here and said there were some parents of dancers studying in Russia on this forum. I would love to get in touch with anyone who might be able to help and offer some advice! Thank you Noa