Eifman Boris Academy: features, specialists and feedback

St. Petersburg, 1738 ... In the Winter Palace, by the decree of Empress Anna Ioannovna, several rooms were allocated, in which the children of palace employees were trained in the art of ballet. This was the birth of the first ballet school in Russia, which survived to our time under the name of the Academy of Russian Ballet named after A. Vaganova. For a long time this educational institution was the only center in St. Petersburg for the training of ballet dancers. Everything changed on September 2, 2013. On this day, Boris Eifman's Academy of Dance opened its doors to students.

Introduction: the beginning of history

The idea of creating a new alma mater for artists of modern ballet has been brewing for a long time. The development of choreographic art brought new creative demands to the agenda. Bold experiments, innovative productions, modern plastic - for this ballet artists were needed, able to leave the framework of the classical dance school.

The decision to allocate the site for the construction was made in 2008. The tightness of the old building of the Petrograd side of Petersburg set strict limits for the designers. The building should be both compact and spacious. Architectural studio "Studio 44" brilliantly coped with the task.

January 2011. The St. Petersburg governor signs a decree on the creation of a new creative educational institution in the city. Construction work began without delay. In May, Boris Eifman laid the foundation stone of the future school. Two years later, the new building received the first students in its walls. "Eifman Academy" - along with the official status of a budgetary educational institution, this name is firmly entrenched in the new ballet school.

Attitude to creativity: not only on stage

A man who managed to create a new educational institution in a difficult time of the global financial crisis - the famous choreographer, titled choreographer and theatrical organizer Boris Eifman (born July 22, 1946). The lines of the official biography and the list of achievements of this outstanding creative person are impressive. People's Artist (1995), Laureate of the State Prize (1998), artistic director of the Academic Ballet Theater, which bears his name ... By the age of 45 he had collected an impressive list of awards and regalia. With such luggage, you could also "rest on your laurels".

Maybe this would be possible with any other. But not with a man like Boris Eifman. The dance academy is a logical continuation of his creative biography. Three components of success - hard work, perseverance and talent - led him through life. And the life of the generation of post-war boys was not easy. Little Borya from the general structure of peers stood out. At the age of 7 he had already created a puppet theater, he did plays and even sold tickets. And bought the soccer ball for the domestic team with the proceeds. At the age of 24, he performed the first choreographic productions on the professional stage. And in 1977, at the Lenkontsert, he founded the author's ballet theater with the title "New Ballet". All his creative life, he was looking for something new. The Eifman Academy - from the stage of design to implementation - became a milestone in the creative life of the choreographer.

The house that was built ...

The building itself, which hosted the first students in 2013, is worthy of a separate description. To say that it meets all modern requirements for the educational process means to say nothing. The training complex, which housed the Boris Eifman Academy, is a real paradise for future artists. Several heavy external walls of the building are made in the traditional style of brick, covered with plaster. However, behind them is more than 11 thousand square meters. M. Inner space, permeated with light and located at different levels. Glass partitions, a complex system of transitions, a broken line of internal planning - the feeling of a transparent polyhedron that plays with all shades of brilliance.

14 classes of various areas, equipped at the highest level, are designed for conducting ballet classes. The largest of them is used for staging educational performances. In everything there is a sense of professionalism and a desire for excellence. Even the floor covering - the scenic linoleum "Harlequin" - perfectly smooth, non-slip and elastic - the best floor covering for dancing from the existing in the world.

And the Eifman Ballet Academy includes a training complex for general education classes. There is a boarding school, which is designed for 135 people, a swimming pool and a gym. For the health of students, a medical center is provided, staffed with specialists and equipped with everything necessary to provide medical assistance.

September 2013 - the first call

It is not known who worried more on the day of the beginning of the school year - the guys who became the first pupils in the walls of the new school, or its inspirer and creator. Honorable guests, organizational fuss and troublesome preparation of the solemn day - all this was pushed to the background. To the sound of music and the applause of parents and guests of the holiday, the students left - a little stiff and timid. For them a new stage in life and study began. And they will be the first release, which will give the way to the big stage Eifman Academy. Reviews and reports about the solemn event were not long in coming. City and federal television channels have told in detail about the opening of a new school of ballet.

The training of the profession begins with the basics

Any child can begin learning the dance art, regardless of the material situation of his parents or their social status. The main requirement is talent and the desire to become an artist of the ballet. From the first day of its existence, the Eifman Academy has declared social support for creatively gifted children as its priority. The whole educational process is financed from the budget.

Children are trained in two age categories. From the age of 11, one can enter a choreographic educational program in the specialty "Ballet Art". Graduates receive the qualification "Ballet dancer". In addition, recruitment for the education of children aged 7 years is being conducted. This innovation in the field of choreographic training, which introduced the Boris Eifman Academy. Comments of specialists who have studied the problem of early learning of dance art are positive. First-graders are gradually preparing for serious lessons and learn the world of ballet. An important role is played by the example of high school students.

Teachers: a team aimed at success

No matter how talented and efficient the project manager is, but without the team of like-minded people, it is impossible to establish the work of any educational institution. Highly professional teaching staff is the key to the success of the creative educational institution and its students.

Olga Baltacheeva - former soloist of the S. Kirov Opera and Ballet Theater, Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1983) was singled out in the first composition of the teachers. She accepted an invitation to become a consultant to the admission committee, but stayed at the Academy to teach. Another bright specialist is Nadezhda Tsai. Actress of the ballet, who gave 13 years to the scene of the Mikhailovsky Theater. Ph.D. in History of Arts. A talented and experienced teacher.

Today the pedagogical staff numbers more than 50 teachers who teach children classical and modern dance, plastic, acrobatics, gymnastics, swimming, music. And general subjects - mathematics, Russian and English language and others, which are necessary for any student.

I'd go to the dancers, let them teach me

The life of a schoolboy is always subject to a timetable. The Eifman Academy is not an exception to this rule. Only the daily routine of students differs from that of their peers. These guys know that the scene of lazy people and loafers can not stand.

The first set, which was held in 2013, brought in the classrooms 90 people. Although applications for the admission for training filed more than 5 thousand people. A strict commission carefully looks at everything, including appearance and growth. Physicians give an opinion on the state of health and physical data. And only after that comes the last stage - evaluation of the dancing potential of the entrant.

The geography of the competitive selection was also matched by the scope of the Eifman idea - the entire territory of Russia. From Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Kaliningrad. And more than half the children from families who could never send their children to paid training in the northern capital. The noble idea of a social educational institution and complete state support for talented children has acquired real features.

Far Horizons

Diligence, creativity, talent - this is how you can characterize the three postulates on which Boris Eifman's Dance Academy builds his success. And these qualities teachers try to impart to their students.

In one of his many interviews B. Ya. Eifman complained that every year it becomes more difficult for him to find new artists for his projects. There was a gap between the number of graduates of ballet schools and the real needs of theaters. Therefore, graduates after graduation can have no doubt - their talent and skills will be in demand by the rapidly developing choreographic maelstrom. True, the first three years after graduation young artists will have to work on Russian scenes. This is the payment for the budget financing of the educational process.

In today's day

The transparent structure of the information space of social networks provides a clear and objective picture of life, which lives the Eifman Dance Academy. Comments and comments about the work of teachers, events, speeches - all this is freely available. We describe the excellent reporting concerts in which the pupils show their achievements and the views of talented children. The geography of the search for entrants is extensive and includes cities of different size and size - Sestroretsk and Vsevolozhsk are neighbors in the schedule of views with Sevastopol, Khabarovsk and St. Petersburg.

Another innovation, which entered the practice of the educational institution, is a free internship for students of choreographic schools throughout Russia. Teachers conduct master classes and engage with those wishing classical and modern dance. At the end of the five-day course, a repertoire show is held.

Exhibitions, photo sessions, psychological trainings - you can only envy the busy life of students and wonder their energy.

Parental care

There is another category of people who are closely and interestedly watching everything that happens in the walls of the ballet school, these are the relatives of the students. Openness in communication, broad and truthful information about everything that happens in the classrooms is a distinctive feature, which the Eifman Academy is rightly proud of. Parents' feedback and discussions help to understand how the relationship is built in the context of "family - school". The general opinion can be expressed laconically - children like it at school. And this means that the parents are also happy. High level of teaching, modern equipment, intensive program - the school was able to interest the children and establish a dialogue with their parents.

Epilogue with continuation

Boris Eifman's dance academy is very young. And not only for the period of its existence, because ballet artists have not yet been released from its walls. The school is young with fresh ideas, original ideas and approach to the learning process. Perhaps, after many years, graduates will proudly say: "We are Eifman."

And the life of the school will continue in their achievements. Because, unlike the theatrical performance, in the choreographic school the curtain will never fall after the epilogue. Every year new students come to its walls to comprehend the beautiful ballet secrets.