The Perm Ballet School was formed on the basis of the Leningrad Choreographic School, evacuated to the rear in 1941. With the onset of the German troops and the rapid closing of the blockade around Leningrad, the Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, as well as the school for the education of the ballet troupe, along with students and teachers, went into evacuation. The traditions of training artists are firmly rooted in Perm, today the ballet college is one of the best classical ballet schools in the country.
From Leningrad to Perm
Summer 1941 for the entire USSR was the beginning of strength and durability tests. Faith in victory was strong, so not only manufacturing enterprises, but also cultural institutions were evacuated, their preservation not only helped to withstand the pressure of the enemy, but was an inspiring factor in the liberation war. The Leningrad Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, sent to Perm in August 1941, began a new theater season in September, setting the tone forcultural environment of the city.
In 1942, the first concert was given by graduates of the ballet school, among them Yuri Grigorovich, Ninel Kurgapkina, Nikolai Boyarchikov and many other talents already shone. In the same year, the admission of kids to the Leningrad School began, and classes began in 1943. After the blockade was lifted, the Leningraders returned to their city, the remaining students needed teachers and their own ballet studio. So, in June 1944, the history of the Perm State Choreographic School began.
Perm school
The ballet studio was founded in 1944, the following year, as a result of reorganization, a school appeared. The first room consisted of only three small rooms, which was clearly not enough. In 1947, the Perm Choreographic School moved to the old building of the diocesan educational institution on Kommunisticheskaya Street, where it is located today. A third floor was added to expand the area. Since 1984, concerts and performances have been given in the educational theater, designed for 286 spectators.
The high level of professionalism in work was set by the first director of the Perm Choreographic School - Nonna Alexandrovna Bagina. Ekaterina Nikolaevna Heidenreich, a graduate of the Imperial Theater School, became the artistic director. Before starting work in Perm, she shone on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater, worked with students of the Maly Opera and Ballet Theater of Leningrad, and taught at the Leningrad Choreographic School. It was she who laid the foundations of the Perm ballet school.
In the year of the 100th anniversary of her birth (1997), a memorial plaque dedicated to the memory of the great teacher appeared on the wall of the Perm Choreographic School. Being a brilliant teacher, she trained several generations of ballet dancers, some of her students teach the art of dance at the school today.
Modernity
Today, more than 300 students study at the Perm Choreographic School, 26 teachers are responsible for their preparation. Becoming a student is not so easy, the high competition (up to 9 people per place) indicates the prestige of the educational institution. The fame of the Perm Ballet School has spread far beyond the borders of the former USSR; students from Japan, the USA, Great Britain, Korea, Sweden and other near and far countries of the world are striving to enter here.
During the existence of the ballet school in Perm, more than 1700 professional artists graduated from it, many of them reached the heights of success in their chosen profession. Students and teachers are proud that Olga Chenchikova, Stanislav Isaev, Elena Vorobieva, Tatyana Predeina and several dozen other eminent professionals took their first steps in ballet in the classrooms of the Perm Choreographic School.
Incoming
Recruitment of students is carried out only for one speci alty - "The Art of Ballet", qualification - ballet dancer, teacher. Receptiondocuments are held from June 1 to June 15 and from July 1 to July 5 (data of 2018), applicants pass several rounds:
- 1 round - assessment of external, professional, physical data of applicants. Persons who have passed the first stage of selection are allowed to the following tests.
- 2 round - medical commission, where professional suitability is revealed, psychological and pedagogical testing of applicants is carried out.
- 3 round - selected candidates present a dance number lasting 1 minute.
When entering the Perm Choreographic School, a package of documents is submitted:
- Birth and citizenship certificates (copies).
- Parents' passport (copy).
- Medical report (form 086-U).
- Photo (6 pieces) size 3 x 4 cm.
Students have the opportunity to receive nominal, Academic scholarships. Poor students are provided with material assistance, benefits are provided. Accommodation in a boarding school and meals are provided on a paid basis, according to the rates for 2018, the cost is 8280 rubles per month.
Accommodation
Out-of-town students live in the boarding school of the Perm Choreographic School. The residential building is located near the educational institution. Children are provided with 5 meals a day on a paid basis, students from low-income families receive a discount on meals. In the boarding school, children are under the supervision of teachers around the clock, nurses are constantly on duty.
Rooms are designed fordouble or triple accommodation. The halls are equipped with TVs and seating areas. In the basement there is a laundry with attendants, children do not need to do their own laundry. Showers are also located here.
Immediately next to the school there are several shops where you can buy rehearsal supplies for classes, as well as a playground, bank and post offices. The educational institution pays attention to the he alth of children - regular medical examinations are carried out, treatment and rehabilitation are possible in the resorts of the Black Sea and the Perm Territory. Cultural leisure is provided with a preferential system of visiting city theaters and museums.
Reviews from former students
There are four ballet schools in Russia, one of them is the Perm Choreographic School. Reviews of an educational institution engaged in the training of personnel for the world of culture cannot be considered as positive or negative. Much of the review depends on personal perspectives. Thus, children who had to leave the walls of the college due to professional unsuitability are very upset, some of them cannot survive the failure that happened for many years, sometimes for life.
No matter how it sounds, but the prospects of each student are tracked from the first year of study (10-12 years). Of the entire first year, where up to 15-17 children can study in a class, sometimes 4-5 artists remain for graduation. Those who are not lucky rarely write positive reviews. But on the basis of their words, it becomes clear that diligence orfanaticism in the profession is not always a pass to the world of ballet.
Parent reviews
Children learn in a tough regime of constant rehearsals. Some pointed out that at eight o'clock in the evening there is a lights out in the hostel, it is no longer possible to go outside the residential building. The state of he alth of each student of the Perm Choreographic School is carefully monitored. Feedback from parents says that children moving from course to course are incredibly disciplined, they go to classes with great pleasure and do not think of their life outside the sphere of the stage.
Graduates usually have several offers from the leading theaters in Russia, often invited to work in foreign troupes. The unequivocal verdict of students and parents is that it is difficult to study, pitfalls appear throughout the study, a lot depends on physical data. Often there are situations when, at puberty, a child's body, rebuilding, loses lightness, flexibility and the necessary parameters - this also becomes a reason for expulsion, but nothing can be done.
Graduates who have managed to reach the top of their careers in their chosen field are role models, they inspire students and often come to the alma mater to meet students and give master classes. From the height of the passed steps, they are convinced that the rigidity, and often the cruelty of the ballet world is justified, in the absence of prospects it is better to give up a career, and it is easier to do this in childhood. It is difficult for a mature person to relearn.
Useful information
The Choreographic School of Perm is located at the address: Gorky Street, building 13.
Every year, graduates on the stage of the city Opera and Ballet Theater give a reporting concert of the Perm Choreographic School. This is always a brilliant performance, it becomes a farewell gift to the school and opens the door to a new life for talented artists. The graduation concert of 2018 took place on May 30, the audience saw excerpts from classical productions and appreciated the skill of young talents.
