Ballet IV (formerly “Elite Ballet”)

Ballet IV (previously called “Elite Ballet”) Instructor:  Samantha Johnson (Sergie Mali master class on 9/19.  Dr. Nancy Kane master classes on 9/26, 10/17, 10/24, 11/14, 11/21… more dates TBA) Ages:  By permission only Requirement:  Traditional ballet attire:  ballet slippers, hair pulled off the face;  Girls: leotard, tights;  Boys: t-shirt, boys tights Students must have Ballet III experience.  Students learn advanced ballet terminology, steps, transitions and choreography.  Classes include barre warm up, petite allegro, grand allegro, adagio, across-the floor and center exercises.  Steps include pirouettes, fouettes/a la seconde, entrechat quatre & cinq, grand pas de chat, etc.  …A graceful, theatrical art form of unique traditions and techniques, requiring immense precision, focus, and athleticism. Intense focus on strengthening the core body, legs, ankles and feet.  Both contemporary and classical techniques are taught. This class is required for Elite Competition Team participants. September 19th MASTER CLASS:  SERGEI MALI Sergei Mali was born in Leninsk, Kazakhstan. At the age of ten, he was enrolled in the Moscow School of Ballet, where he studied ballet, Russian folk dance classes, character dance, dance history, and partnering. He joined the corps de ballet in the world-renowned Bolshoi Theater. He was selected to join a group of Soviet dancers who would perform for several years in Elmira, New York, in the Mark Twain Musical Drama. With his powerful stage presence, brilliant technique, and sense of humor, he quickly became a favorite with audiences and returned to that production each summer for years. He later emigrated and danced with the St. Louis Ballet Company for four years, starting from the corps de ballet and finishing as a principal dancer. Afterward, he founded his own dance company, sharing his knowledge and experience with a new generation of dancers in St. Louis.