Teacher Certification Program NYC Bolshoi Ballet Academy
The 2014 Program Dates are: Aug 3 – 10, 2014 – 8-Day Intensive Session
Curriculum
Founded nearly 240 years ago, the Bolshoi Ballet Academy has a rich history of training many of the world’s greatest ballet dancers. Over the years the Academy has staffed only the best master teachers of classical ballet, many of them former ballet stars themselves with advanced degrees in dance instruction.
The Bolshoi curriculum is respected internationally for its focus on musicality, strength, and pureness of classical technique. Though the Vaganova method is the foundation for the Bolshoi curriculum, the Academy has built upon and expanded from it, in its strive for perfection and greater attention to individual progress.
As demonstrated by RAF’s highly successful Bolshoi Ballet Summer Academy Summer Intensives in New York City and Connecticut, RAF believes there is a great demand among students in the U.S. for training in the Bolshoi curriculum. RAF is excited to offer this program so that newly certified teachers in the Bolshoi Curriculum can share the curriculum with students across the country. Teachers who participate in the program will have the opportunity to engage in a unique and authentic training program lead by Master Teachers from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow. At the end of a successful completion of the program, they will receive an official Bolshoi Ballet Academy Teaching Certificate for the appropriate program level.*
Building on the Academy’s respected curriculum, the Teacher Certification program provides instruction in systematic, methodic, and holistic methods for classical dance instruction. Training will include workshops, lectures, master classes, and independent tutorials. The program’s theme, ‘Methods of Teaching Classical Dance’, is designed to combine the theoretical and practical work of generations of Academy instructors. This program is conducted in Russian language with assistance of English speaking translators. Program faculty and their bios can be found on the Program Faculty page. The breakdown in topics according to level is as follows:
LEVEL A: 1st , 2nd , & 3rd year of study (junior level): Lays a professional foundation, imparts basic skills of coordination, begins work on the artistic, expressive, and musical performance in accordance with the age of students to expose the students’ artistic personality.
LEVEL B: 4th & 5th year of study (intermediate level): Develops more complex methods in executing movements and combinations. Furthers the development of musicality, expression, and the artistic personality.
LEVEL C: 6th, 7th, & 8th year of study (advanced level): Develops and subsequently tests the program material. Covers virtuoso techniques, as well as the expansion and formation of individual students’ progress and talents.
*Please note that in in 2014 only Levels A and B will be offered.
Please be advised that the completion of the Program in no way establishes recognition of a participant as a Master Teacher or a Bolshoi Ballet Academy Teacher, nor are any results guaranteed such as future employment or any other benefit as a result of completing the Program. Upon successful completion of the Program, as evidenced by issuance of an official certificate, a participant will be entitled to state that he/she has completed the official Bolshoi Ballet Academy Teacher’s Certification Intensive.
Required Experience
Required Experience LEVEL A: Candidates must have achieved an advanced level of ballet training and must be 18 years or older. While teaching experience is not mandatory, course curriculum assumes prior familiarity with the Vaganova technique.
Required Experience LEVEL B: Candidates must have successfully completed the Level A curriculum. In special circumstances, candidates with comparable training who have not completed Level A may petition to be admitted to Level B.
Location:
The LaGuardia School
100 Amsterdam Avenue
*As RAF does not own or operate the venue, the location may change as a result of circumstances out of RAF’s control.
Housing Option
In 2013, The Bolshoi Ballet Academy Teacher Certification Program was pleased to offer program participants an affordable and nearby housing option. The Stratford Arms Residence is located at 117 West 70th street in the West Village of Manhattan, within a short walking distance of the dance studios. All rooms are private with private baths shared between two rooms. Program participants should note that this is a dormitory-style residence. The housing option is offered as a courtesy but participants are encouraged to seek their own accommodations. The cost for a room at the Stratford Arms Residence is $400.00 for the week.
Please check back in late 2013 for information about 2014 housing options.
Sample Schedule
Curriculum is comprised of lectures, workshops, class observations, interactive class work and independent study. Topics specified below will be covered (schedule may be subject to change).
Day 1 (Sunday – 7.3 hrs)
TIME TOPIC
- 10.00 – 11.30 Choreography Education in Russia, Moscow State Academy of Choreography
- 11.45 – 13.15 Practical methods of teaching classical dance in elementary levels (1st – 3rd year of study)
- 13.20 – 14.00 Q & A, discussion
- 14.00 – 15.00 Lunch
- 15.00 – 16.30 Example class based on theoretical lesson
- 16.45 – 18.15 Exercises at the barre
- 18.20 – 19.00 Q & A and review with Master Teacher
Day 2 (Monday – 8.5 hrs)
TIME TOPIC
- 9.30 – 11.00 Practical methods of teaching classical dance in elementary levels (1st – 3rd year of study)
- 11.15 – 12.45 Practical methods of teaching classical dance in elementary levels (1st – 3rd year of study)
- 12.50 – 13.20 Q & A, discussion
- 13.20 – 14.30 Lunch
- 14.30 – 16.00 Example class based on theoretical lesson – exercises in the center
- 16.15 – 18.15 Summary, discussion of homework, exercises in the center
- 18.20 – 18.50 Q & A and review with Master Teacher
Day 3 (Tuesday – 8.5 hrs)
TIME TOPIC
- 9.30 – 11.00 Practical methods of teaching classical dance in elementary levels (1st – 3rd year of study)
- 11.15 – 12.45 Practical methods of teaching classical dance in elementary levels (1st – 3rd year of study)
- 12.50 – 13.20 Q & A, discussion
- 13.20 – 14.30 Lunch
- 14.30 – 16.00 Example class based on theoretical lesson – Allegro
- 16.15 – 18.15 Master class
- 18.20 – 18.50 Q & A, independent work
Day 4 (Wednesday – 8.5 hrs)
TIME TOPIC
- 9.30 – 11.00 Practical methods of teaching classical dance in elementary levels (1st – 3rd year of study)
- 11.15 – 12.45 Practical methods of teaching classical dance in elementary levels (1st – 3rd year of study)
- 12.50 – 13.20 Q & A, discussion
- 13.20 – 14.30 Lunch
- 14.30 – 16.00 Example class based on theoretical lesson – exercises on pointe
- 16.15 – 18.15 Master class
- 18.20 – 18.50 Q & A and review
Day 5 (Thursday – 8.5 hrs)
TIME TOPIC
- 9.30 – 11.00 Practical methods of teaching classical dance in elementary levels (1st – 3rd year of study)
- 11.15 – 12.45 Planning academic material, composition of combinations
- 12.50 – 13.20 Q & A, discussion
- 13.20 – 14.30 Lunch
- 14.30 – 16.00 Movements at the barre on demi-pointe, half turns and full turns, pirouettes
- 16.15 – 18.15 Master class
- 18.20 – 18.50 Q & A and review with Master Teacher
Day 6 (Friday – 8 hrs)
TIME TOPIC
- 9.30 – 11.00 Practical met
Day 7 (Saturday – 8 hrs)
TIME TOPIC
- 9.30 – 11.00 Stage repertoire, types of stage practice at Moscow State Academy of Choreography
- 11.15 – 12.45 Discussion of the methods of video tutorials
- 12.50 – 13.20 Q & A, discussion
- 13.20 – 14.30 Lunch
- 14.30 – 16.00 Review and analysis of academic exercises
- 16.15 – 17.45 Exam lesson – barre, center, allegro, pointe. Introduction to en tournant, beats, jumps on pointe.
- 18.00 – 18.30 Q & A and review with Master Teacher
Day 8 (Sunday – 3 hrs)
TIME TOPIC
- 10.00 – 11.30 Final examination
- 11.45 – 13.15 Summary of work, awarding of certificates
The Bolshoi Ballet Academy Teacher Certification Program is a partnership between the New York-based Russian American Foundation (“RAF”) and Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet Academy (“Academy”). This program is operated in the United States by RAF, based on the ballet curriculum designed by the Academy, and taught exclusively by its ballet Master Teachers. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the RAF has no affiliation or responsibility for other programs operated or sponsored by the Academy in Russia or other parts of the world.
* Program details are subject to change
Registration
You can download a copy of the registration form here. Full instructions are enclosed.
All registration forms must be received by May 1, 2014.
TUITION:
Program cost: $1950.00
Kindly be advised that to reserve your space in the program we need to receive a completed registration form with a 25% deposit. An additional 25% deposit is due by April 18th, 2014. Final payment of the remaining tuition must be received by May 30th, 2014.
PLEASE NOTE: RAF accepts payments by check or wire transfer only. Tuition payments can be made by check, made out to “Russian American Foundation”. For wire transfer details, please contact Kristen Moreland at kmoreland@russianamericanfoundation.org. Please note that due to high processing costs and RAF’s commitment to keeping the program fee at a minimum, RAF unfortunately does not accept credit card payments.
RAF Refund Policy
Russian American Foundation has a no-refund policy on payments received.
