Loved hearing about your experiences. I was trained in New York City by a very famous Russian teacher who was brought up in Paris. He had the same relentless standards for his students. He was stern…almost terrifying. But you knew when he yelled at you it’s because he thought you had talent. In the USA often parents put their little girls into ballet school as an “activity” - one of many - as a pastime. Also, placating American parents and telling them how great their kids were was anathema to him. Most kids and parents didn’t last more than a year or two. I loved it: the more he pushed the harder I worked and it became clear I had a real talent. The teacher taught two adult professional classes a day and a roster of all the great ballet dancers from every company would show up. Girls from SAB showed up which was strictly forbidden. The classes were so packed not only did one have to do barre on a diagonal but actually have two groups for grand battements, adagio. My dream company was the Royal Ballet - this was circa 1969 - the Nureyev Fonteyn years. No Americans were permitted in the company. A woman came to New York specifically to watch me in class, I sent three photographs in specific poses. I was offered a spot at the school for the penultimate year. The first day I arrived, (Julia Farron was my teacher) she immediately pulled me from the class and had me promoted to the graduating class - skipping the level I had been accepted for. I was surprised my technique was superior to mostly all the other students. My problem was I hadn’t done enough pointe work so they worked with me. However because I wasn’t a British citizen or a citizen of a commonwealth company I was told I’d never get a job with the company. Nevertheless, throughout the year Miss Farron always used me to demonstrate for the class “how” to do steps properly…especially pirouettes and grand allegro. They’d even use video recorders. The atmosphere for me was horrendous. The other girls were ice cold, unfriendly, … on some days I’d come home after a full day and nobody would have spoken to me all day. Every time a company scout or the like came to watch class, I was forbidden from entering the class and would have to sub in to a different class. The reasons: the Royal Ballet didn’t want to put me in front of someone who might want me only to be told I couldn’t have a spot. I was referred to as “the Alien.” The Alien may not take her morning technique class today. Luckily for me, word got around and I was finally given my chance. But it’s interesting that my training had been so clean, so pure, so “perfect” regarding standards. It also had a lot of virtuosity built in to the classes. Back then we danced in crap shoes on hardwood floors. Nobody could do more than three pirouettes on demi pointe and a triple on point was “amazing.” My teacher always left four full counts for pirouettes in variations. Grand allegros we’re done one student at a time. And each class ended with sixteen grand battement à la seconde, and then eight counts of port des bras and preparation and pirouettes (four counts and four counts) from fourth, twice on each side. It was quite an experience. Of course back then the Iron Curtain and Cold War meant we had no real access to Russian Ballet.
Interesting video, Isabella. The Vaganova Academy, the best ballet academy in the world, in my view! Congratulations for coming through it so well, judging by the barre-exam video you showed. There is a reason the top dancers in the world are Russian or Russian trained. In addition to the Vaganova method, the Russian discipline and slow progression (part of what Vaganova is all about) are among the key factors, I think.
I had a Russian former pro ballroom dancer coach/partner me for an amateur(hobby) school performance. I was a beginner that was partnering him only because our heights matched. The experience of being taught/partnered by him reminded me of a lot of stuff you said in this channel! I waltzed with him and it was always more more more! Turning with him was like being on a whirlwind haha. I was a hobbyist and beginner but that didnt stop him from being passionate and pushing me to do stuff that i would be able to do given some instruction. He was hands on (not in a disrespectful way) and direct (he would say no(that's not it youre doing it wrong), in a way i imagine would also be the way he would say nyet lol) but not rude and it was so fun that he was taking me and my wish to dance seriously and not dumbing it down for the hobbyist. It was a very positive push, and it was great fun.
“ Their training is refined , detailed and fantastic “….that sums it up. I had the same “ training “ in Moscow as a classical pianist. I love ballet though as well. Your podcasts are wonderful .
Very well explained. Just one detail missing: discipline. I am not sure wether in the West the pupils and their parents are willing to endure and to accept the teachers' high demands like they do in the East.
Thank you for this video! Whenever I see a video about the RBS, after 5 minutes I have to change the cannel, but when I see a VBS video, on what ever level, I have to keep looking at it till the end, there is so much more in it.
I studied with both also. The Russians were who made me. After them, going back to Royal felt very much ...not strength maintaining enough, and artistically tame. The Russian influence is vital.
Isabella, strange that you didnt mention it - "the biggest diff" is that Vaganova is STATE school = no fees at all for kids ( from Russia). While RBS is like - only 15-20% with some support ( welcome to independent school...) ; others should pay - no matter, how talanted they are. PS: So when you provide money to best teachers and ask - please just teach very talanted kids the profession of ballet dancer. Good things happen. And when you take money from parents - shit happens... Every parent think his kid is special, its normal. But for ballet you need - extremely healthy young boys and girls, and best of the best. And for sure - Ballet itself, is "ROYAL art" . It means - it can only be taught with state support$; no independent company can REALLY afford all that needs and teachers for Kids. Its very expensive. Only that way - you can concentrate on details.
Hello there, I didn’t mention it as I was focusing on the technical differences between the two ballet schools not the financial side. And as a foreigner I had to pay the full amount of fees so it made no difference to me with. But I agree it’s amazing the Russians don’t pay
@@balletwithisabella £34,575 its a LOT...plus, its not even shoes including))) RBS became like NIKE...overpriced brand. Thats why you can see so many foreign dancers in RB company this days. Because they take money, not talants. And most of that Kids after study in RBS goes nowhere...
@@matrixhas it depends. the russians turn out crap dancers who can't get jobs sometimes, too. and it really comes down to style---the russians expect the russian style, but every country has its own little quirks that make them interesting to watch. all of the different companies are interesting to watch in their own way and i am not sure i would enjoy having only one style of ballet to choose from.
Sì sono d'accordo la Vaganova è davvero una scuola straordinaria, appena posso guardo le loro lezioni alla sbarra, il centro, le piante punte, gli esami di ammissione..sono incredibilmente bravi.
Lovely video but with these types of video I find it much more enjoyable and easy to hear without background music. It sounds like it’s competing for attention with your chat. And when it’s just you, like sort of a podcast style, it’s so much easier to listen and focus on you and what you’re saying.
E poi amo il loro utilizzo del capo e delle braccia che vengono "lavorati" a 360 gradi,questo li rende incredibilmente armoniosi e l'utilizzo delle braccia consente loro di migliorare l' elevazione nei salti.
I found this very interesting. She went to Russia and studied and had to learn Russian that maybe you would enjoy it. I don’t know that we would’ve been able to do this at all. You tell me .love you, BJ
I'm curious about your experience at RBS, and from what I understood, they teach a 'British' form of Vaganova. What were the technical differences other than being more reserved? Thanks!
I think they have only started doing that in recent times. they were Russian for quite a while then got rid of them all, now they are slowly introducing Vaganova back again. I think they realise it works haha x
the royal teaches better use of the feet and lower legs. i feel the best dancers are trained in the vaganova method then learn the royal method later---they have the power and bravado of the russian technique but the polish and finish of the royal style.
The Russians still remain superior when it comes to épaulement, overall male technique, and corps de ballet. But they have lost their speed in the last 30-40 years, not just in their petite allegro (beats, etc.) but they have also become slow turners. There is the EXTREMELY bad habit they invented and spread to the world - dancing to abysmally slow, musically incorrect tempi which turrns ballet from an art of dancing into an art of posing. But the worst is the manner in which they perform classical roles - for instance all to often the Mariinsky's dancers perform works such as Raymonda, Bayadere, Sleeping Beauty, etc. as if they are performing some religious rite that they long ago forgot the meaning of
Keep strong. Dont forget that despite the struggles in this world, God is full of justice, mercy and love. Justice said we broke His perfect law - causing the world's previous perfection to be destroyed - and therefore we deserve Hell (like a punishment in any legal system but this is eternal as His perfect law is eternal too). Don't think you fit in that category? Ever done one of these?: lying, stealing - regardless of how small the object EVER, hating others - which is murder in God's perfect law, lusting (plus God sees our entire thought life). Justice says "the soul that sins shall die" - if we break one in thought/word/deed it's as if we're guilty of all of them. Quite simply, living by the law (which is doing everything perfectly) is impossible for sinful humans . The law shows us that 1. We will die in Hell if we fail to follow it and 2. We cannot save ourselves BUT, 3. God's perfect, immovable law points us to Christ, who followed and fulfilled the law in thought, word and deed perfectly in our place. He did what we couldn't and did it on our behalf. He was then sentenced to death on a cross, and took our personal punishment for our sin, paying our penalty (like paying our fine) completely FOR us, and has given us freedom. If we turn from the sins we have committed and repent (pursue the opposite direction of love through Christ) He will, overtime, recreate us back into that previously perfect image through The Holy Spirit which Jesus sends to all who accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior of their life. He will help us through the struggle, the stress, and anything we experience in the world. It's about letting Christ in to guide and teach you and obeying Him through His power (not ourselves, we need Him to help us as it's impossible without depending on His power and instruction). He is our substitute in His life, death and resurrection. He essentially rewrote history in our place so that, if you believe in Him, it will be as if you had never sinned if you accept Christ's death as our own in our place. He is in Heaven right now preparing a place for us so that He can take His faithful, believing children home with Him when He returns. He will ressurrect us from death when He returns, giving mercy to those who accept His love, instruction and teachings in their life, and give justice to those who refuse it. He doesn't want ANY of us to go to Hell and die for continuing in evil and rejecting His way to life, thats why He died FOR us. Hes giving EVERYONE a chance, He wants everyone to take the free gift of salvation from Hell. He wants us to be His and begin to follow His life of love and service through His power and abiding (staying) with Him. So long as we keep our hearts near to Christ through His strength, strive to follow His will of perfect love revealed in the Bible, and let Him lead in the midst of (very certain) pitfalls and struggles, we will, in time, win the ultimate victory over sin, pain and DEATH through Christ. Even if you are willing to be made willing, pray for Jesus to come in and He will do what we can't. Give us The Holy Spirit who will guide us in the right way. Christ says in John 16:33: I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] - (AMPLIFIED version) NOTE: You are NEVER too sinful or messed up that God cannot turn your life around through Jesus. EVER. Regardless of what you've done or what you're going through you CAN make it through Jesus. If you have any questions let me know xx xx
Loved hearing about your experiences. I was trained in New York City by a very famous Russian teacher who was brought up in Paris. He had the same relentless standards for his students. He was stern…almost terrifying. But you knew when he yelled at you it’s because he thought you had talent. In the USA often parents put their little girls into ballet school as an “activity” - one of many - as a pastime. Also, placating American parents and telling them how great their kids were was anathema to him. Most kids and parents didn’t last more than a year or two. I loved it: the more he pushed the harder I worked and it became clear I had a real talent. The teacher taught two adult professional classes a day and a roster of all the great ballet dancers from every company would show up. Girls from SAB showed up which was strictly forbidden. The classes were so packed not only did one have to do barre on a diagonal but actually have two groups for grand battements, adagio. My dream company was the Royal Ballet - this was circa 1969 - the Nureyev Fonteyn years. No Americans were permitted in the company. A woman came to New York specifically to watch me in class, I sent three photographs in specific poses. I was offered a spot at the school for the penultimate year. The first day I arrived, (Julia Farron was my teacher) she immediately pulled me from the class and had me promoted to the graduating class - skipping the level I had been accepted for. I was surprised my technique was superior to mostly all the other students. My problem was I hadn’t done enough pointe work so they worked with me. However because I wasn’t a British citizen or a citizen of a commonwealth company I was told I’d never get a job with the company. Nevertheless, throughout the year Miss Farron always used me to demonstrate for the class “how” to do steps properly…especially pirouettes and grand allegro. They’d even use video recorders. The atmosphere for me was horrendous. The other girls were ice cold, unfriendly, … on some days I’d come home after a full day and nobody would have spoken to me all day. Every time a company scout or the like came to watch class, I was forbidden from entering the class and would have to sub in to a different class. The reasons: the Royal Ballet didn’t want to put me in front of someone who might want me only to be told I couldn’t have a spot. I was referred to as “the Alien.” The Alien may not take her morning technique class today. Luckily for me, word got around and I was finally given my chance. But it’s interesting that my training had been so clean, so pure, so “perfect” regarding standards. It also had a lot of virtuosity built in to the classes. Back then we danced in crap shoes on hardwood floors. Nobody could do more than three pirouettes on demi pointe and a triple on point was “amazing.” My teacher always left four full counts for pirouettes in variations. Grand allegros we’re done one student at a time. And each class ended with sixteen grand battement à la seconde, and then eight counts of port des bras and preparation and pirouettes (four counts and four counts) from fourth, twice on each side. It was quite an experience. Of course back then the Iron Curtain and Cold War meant we had no real access to Russian Ballet.
Fascinating story!!
I wish you would write a book about your experiences , your comment was such an interesting read. ❤
Interesting video, Isabella. The Vaganova Academy, the best ballet academy in the world, in my view! Congratulations for coming through it so well, judging by the barre-exam video you showed. There is a reason the top dancers in the world are Russian or Russian trained. In addition to the Vaganova method, the Russian discipline and slow progression (part of what Vaganova is all about) are among the key factors, I think.
I had a Russian former pro ballroom dancer coach/partner me for an amateur(hobby) school performance. I was a beginner that was partnering him only because our heights matched. The experience of being taught/partnered by him reminded me of a lot of stuff you said in this channel! I waltzed with him and it was always more more more! Turning with him was like being on a whirlwind haha. I was a hobbyist and beginner but that didnt stop him from being passionate and pushing me to do stuff that i would be able to do given some instruction. He was hands on (not in a disrespectful way) and direct (he would say no(that's not it youre doing it wrong), in a way i imagine would also be the way he would say nyet lol) but not rude and it was so fun that he was taking me and my wish to dance seriously and not dumbing it down for the hobbyist. It was a very positive push, and it was great fun.
“ Their training is refined , detailed and fantastic “….that sums it up. I had the same “ training “ in Moscow as a classical pianist. I love ballet though as well. Your podcasts are wonderful .
Very well explained. Just one detail missing: discipline. I am not sure wether in the West the pupils and their parents are willing to endure and to accept the teachers' high demands like they do in the East.
my russian teacher called me a masochist because i worked so hard. not everyone in the west is lazy.
Thank you for this video! Whenever I see a video about the RBS, after 5 minutes I have to change the cannel, but when I see a VBS video, on what ever level, I have to keep looking at it till the end, there is so much more in it.
I studied with both also.
The Russians were who made me.
After them, going back to Royal felt very much ...not strength maintaining enough, and artistically tame.
The Russian influence is vital.
i always felt the royal classes were tiring in a different way--more finicky and contained and 'tighter'
I studied Cecchetti first and then Russian. I love Russian! Best arms and hands! Great upper body carriage.
I remember seeing Bolshoi dancers up close for the first time, and wow their upper body carriage! Never saw anything like it
the cecchetti hands....oh boy.....
Love u ,and Ur channel
Isabella, I envy you soooo much! And I thank you for your in-depth videos. I am so happy to have found your channel! What a wonderful artist you are!!
Isabella, strange that you didnt mention it - "the biggest diff" is that Vaganova is STATE school = no fees at all for kids ( from Russia). While RBS is like - only 15-20% with some support ( welcome to independent school...) ; others should pay - no matter, how talanted they are. PS: So when you provide money to best teachers and ask - please just teach very talanted kids the profession of ballet dancer. Good things happen. And when you take money from parents - shit happens... Every parent think his kid is special, its normal. But for ballet you need - extremely healthy young boys and girls, and best of the best. And for sure - Ballet itself, is "ROYAL art" . It means - it can only be taught with state support$; no independent company can REALLY afford all that needs and teachers for Kids. Its very expensive.
Only that way - you can concentrate on details.
Hello there, I didn’t mention it as I was focusing on the technical differences between the two ballet schools not the financial side. And as a foreigner I had to pay the full amount of fees so it made no difference to me with. But I agree it’s amazing the Russians don’t pay
@@balletwithisabella £34,575 its a LOT...plus, its not even shoes including))) RBS became like NIKE...overpriced brand. Thats why you can see so many foreign dancers in RB company this days. Because they take money, not talants. And most of that Kids after study in RBS goes nowhere...
I mean, not on stage)
@@matrixhas it depends. the russians turn out crap dancers who can't get jobs sometimes, too.
and it really comes down to style---the russians expect the russian style, but every country has its own little quirks that make them interesting to watch.
all of the different companies are interesting to watch in their own way and i am not sure i would enjoy having only one style of ballet to choose from.
@@bobloblaw9679 Academy that works for 286 years so far, produce CRAP dancers...okay bro. I got your point.
Sì sono d'accordo la Vaganova è davvero una scuola straordinaria, appena posso guardo le loro lezioni alla sbarra, il centro, le piante punte, gli esami di ammissione..sono incredibilmente bravi.
Lovely video but with these types of video I find it much more enjoyable and easy to hear without background music. It sounds like it’s competing for attention with your chat. And when it’s just you, like sort of a podcast style, it’s so much easier to listen and focus on you and what you’re saying.
The Russian tuition is the best even in a company the coaching etc is the best
E poi amo il loro utilizzo del capo e delle braccia che vengono "lavorati" a 360 gradi,questo li rende incredibilmente armoniosi e l'utilizzo delle braccia consente loro di migliorare l' elevazione nei salti.
I found this very interesting. She went to Russia and studied and had to learn Russian that maybe you would enjoy it. I don’t know that we would’ve been able to do this at all. You tell me .love you, BJ
I'm curious about your experience at RBS, and from what I understood, they teach a 'British' form of Vaganova. What were the technical differences other than being more reserved? Thanks!
I think they have only started doing that in recent times. they were Russian for quite a while then got rid of them all, now they are slowly introducing Vaganova back again. I think they realise it works haha x
In my view the British can never get the same results as the British. The cultural difference is too big to train the children the same way.
I loved your talk. I have subscribed.
The background music is very distracting.
Very much so.
the royal teaches better use of the feet and lower legs.
i feel the best dancers are trained in the vaganova method then learn the royal method later---they have the power and bravado of the russian technique but the polish and finish of the royal style.
Для меня балерины всегда были эталоном женской красоты!)
The Russians still remain superior when it comes to épaulement, overall male technique, and corps de ballet. But they have lost their speed in the last 30-40 years, not just in their petite allegro (beats, etc.) but they have also become slow turners. There is the EXTREMELY bad habit they invented and spread to the world - dancing to abysmally slow, musically incorrect tempi which turrns ballet from an art of dancing into an art of posing. But the worst is the manner in which they perform classical roles - for instance all to often the Mariinsky's dancers perform works such as Raymonda, Bayadere, Sleeping Beauty, etc. as if they are performing some religious rite that they long ago forgot the meaning of
Ruined by stupid, needless "music" in the background. Why? Why why why???
Keep strong. Dont forget that despite the struggles in this world, God is full of justice, mercy and love.
Justice said we broke His perfect law - causing the world's previous perfection to be destroyed - and therefore we deserve Hell (like a punishment in any legal system but this is eternal as His perfect law is eternal too). Don't think you fit in that category? Ever done one of these?: lying, stealing - regardless of how small the object EVER, hating others - which is murder in God's perfect law, lusting (plus God sees our entire thought life). Justice says "the soul that sins shall die" - if we break one in thought/word/deed it's as if we're guilty of all of them. Quite simply, living by the law (which is doing everything perfectly) is impossible for sinful humans
. The law shows us that 1. We will die in Hell if we fail to follow it and 2. We cannot save ourselves BUT, 3. God's perfect, immovable law points us to Christ, who followed and fulfilled the law in thought, word and deed perfectly in our place. He did what we couldn't and did it on our behalf. He was then sentenced to death on a cross, and took our personal punishment for our sin, paying our penalty (like paying our fine) completely FOR us, and has given us freedom.
If we turn from the sins we have committed and repent (pursue the opposite direction of love through Christ) He will, overtime, recreate us back into that previously perfect image through The Holy Spirit which Jesus sends to all who accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior of their life. He will help us through the struggle, the stress, and anything we experience in the world. It's about letting Christ in to guide and teach you and obeying Him through His power (not ourselves, we need Him to help us as it's impossible without depending on His power and instruction).
He is our substitute in His life, death and resurrection. He essentially rewrote history in our place so that, if you believe in Him, it will be as if you had never sinned if you accept Christ's death as our own in our place.
He is in Heaven right now preparing a place for us so that He can take His faithful, believing children home with Him when He returns. He will ressurrect us from death when He returns, giving mercy to those who accept His love, instruction and teachings in their life, and give justice to those who refuse it.
He doesn't want ANY of us to go to Hell and die for continuing in evil and rejecting His way to life, thats why He died FOR us. Hes giving EVERYONE a chance, He wants everyone to take the free gift of salvation from Hell. He wants us to be His and begin to follow His life of love and service through His power and abiding (staying) with Him. So long as we keep our hearts near to Christ through His strength, strive to follow His will of perfect love revealed in the Bible, and let Him lead in the midst of (very certain) pitfalls and struggles, we will, in time, win the ultimate victory over sin, pain and DEATH through Christ. Even if you are willing to be made willing, pray for Jesus to come in and He will do what we can't. Give us The Holy Spirit who will guide us in the right way.
Christ says in John 16:33: I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
- (AMPLIFIED version)
NOTE: You are NEVER too sinful or messed up that God cannot turn your life around through Jesus. EVER. Regardless of what you've done or what you're going through you CAN make it through Jesus.
If you have any questions let me know xx
xx
Just... wow. You're commenting on someone's experiences at a ballet school with a lunatic sermon? Are you ok?