Overview
We offer beginning through advanced classes in Russian classical ballet for children through adults. Quality teaching pays close attention to your child’s artistic development; however, your child’s health, safety, and physical/emotional well-being are of equal importance. At the Denton Ballet Academy, we endeavor to help each student enjoy and treasure the hours devoted to dance training, encouraging him or her to love dance for the sheer pleasure and sense of artistic fulfillment, rather than only for a sense of technical accomplishment. We strive to provide a positive environment while giving our students the individualized guidance and attention to which they are entitled.
Russian ballet was founded in St. Petersburg in 1738. The Russian classical style of ballet is a rich and enduring tradition, unsurpassed in its precision, strength, lyricism, and focus on whole body expression. The grace and fluidity of upper body movement are unequaled in the dance world. Over the years, Russian trained dancers and choreographers have dominated the world of ballet. It would be impossible to recognize all prominent dancers of the Russian classical tradition, but many are instantly recognizable: Pavlova, Nijinsky, Ulanova, Nureyev, Baryshnikov, and Makarova – to name only a few. The Russian-trained choreographers Petipa and Ivanov collaborated with Tchaikovsky to create the beloved classical ballets Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker. The legendary choreographer George Balanchine received his ballet training in Russia.
Each year, the Vaganova Ballet Academy chooses a small number of select students for training to carry on its tradition of excellence. Eldar Valiev, owner and director of Denton Ballet Academy, was chosen to attend this prestigious academy at the age of 11 years old. After graduating from the Vaganova Ballet Academy in 1979, he performed leading roles in classical ballets on stages across Europe and Iceland. Eldar Valiev is excited to share this wonderful tradition of excellence with Denton Ballet Academy and your children!
