Teaching Methodology
Fomkin Ballet Academy aims to offer high-quality ballet education for people of all ages and skill levels. Ballet art is rooted in the tradition of classical pointe dance dating back to the 17th century. The academy’s main goal is to immerse students in the cultural space, familiarize them with historical and contemporary achievements in ballet, and develop their taste, understanding, and expertise in both performance and teaching in this field.
The academy provides three comprehensive and sequential educational programs:
1. Pre-Ballet Program (4 years in duration)
2. Upper Division Program (6 years in duration)
3. Adult Ballet and Teenage Beginner Program (duration varies)
Each program is structured to offer students thorough and systematic education suited to their age and skill level, nurturing the development of technical skills and artistic perception in ballet art.
Ballet Skills and Proficiency Certification Levels:
Ballet Beginner
Requirements: Minimum 200 hours per year / 2 years / Ages 8-10
Proficiency: Knowledge and mastery of the basic fundamentals of classical dance (preliminary proficiency in bar exercises), ballet gymnastics, and stretching.
Ballet 1 Junior
Requirements: Minimum 200 hours per year / 2 years / Ages 10-12
Proficiency: Knowledge and mastery of basic classical dance exercises (beginner proficiency in bar technique, center work, jumps, and pointe), historical dance, simple variations from classical ballets, ballet gymnastics, and stretching.
Ballet 2 Apprentice
Requirements: Minimum 200 hours per year / 2 years / Ages 13-14
Proficiency: Knowledge and mastery of classical dance exercises (advanced proficiency in bar technique, center work, jumps, and pointe), historical and character dances, medium-difficulty variations from classical ballets, ballet gymnastics, and stretching.
Ballet 3 Pre-professional
Requirements: Minimum 200 hours per year / 2 years / Ages 15+
Proficiency: Knowledge and mastery of classical dance exercises (pre-professional proficiency in bar technique, center work, jumps, and pointe), historical and character dances, high-difficulty variations from classical ballets, ballet gymnastics, and stretching. Additionally, foundational knowledge of teaching methods for basic classical dance (preliminary and beginner levels), ballet gymnastics, and stretching. This level grants the right to teach the fundamentals of classical dance, ballet gymnastics, and stretching.
Classes are conducted in groups ranging from 5 to 12 people and individually.
At the core of the educational process of Fomkin Ballet Academy lies the teaching methodology of classical dance by Agrippina Vaganova (1879-1951) – a Russian ballerina of the Imperial Theatres, a ballet master, whose name is carried by one of the oldest ballet schools in the world – the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. It represents a progressive system of education based on the principle of "from simple to complex." Through systematic and sequential execution of classical dance movements, the dancer shapes their body and develops a new quality of movement execution. Therefore, training in this methodology requires regular classes.
The teaching technology of classical dance at Fomkin Ballet Academy is based on an integrated author's methodology of classical dance developed by Aleksei Fomkin, combining the best practices of Russian (Vaganova Method), English (Royal Ballet Method), Danish (Bournonville Technique), and American (Balanchine Technique) ballet schools. The academy's program is designed for comprehensive and continuous education, ensuring systematic study of disciplines and providing a unique set of movements tailored to each age group. These movements are structured to avoid physical harm (with special attention to knee preservation) and promote the mental well-being of children.
The second component of education at Fomkin Ballet Academy is characterized by character (folk) dance – one of the main genres of ballet art, distinct from classical ballet, which represents the depiction and stylization of folk dances or dance traditions from various cultures around the world. This ballet genre incorporates elements of folklore, national costumes, music, and characteristic movements that reflect the cultural specifics of a particular nation or region. Folk dance plays an important role in academic dance education, involving the study of various national styles and techniques and training in the nuances of characteristic facial expressions and gestures associated with specific ethnic dance styles. Thus, folk dance helps expand the artistic boundaries of ballet art by integrating elements of folk culture and traditions from different countries and regions of the world.
The third component of education at Fomkin Ballet Academy focuses on historical and folk dance. This genre of ballet art stylizes and depicts everyday scenes and customs from specific historical epochs or national cultures. Historical dance, as it's also known, highlights the daily and mundane aspects of life from different historical periods and cultural contexts. Key features of historical and folk dance include:
1. Stylized costumes and set design: Dancers perform in costumes that reflect the characteristic features of a specific era or culture; the sets may be stylized to reflect historical or ethnic characteristics.
2. Specific movements and gestures: Dancers study and embody traditional patterns of behavior and expression characteristic of the era or culture through their movements and gestures. These may include elements of everyday actions such as working in the fields, festive dances, games, or social scenes.
3. Musical accompaniment: Historical and folk dances are performed with music reflecting specific eras or national traditions.
The historical and folk dance genre plays a vital role in education, expanding artistic possibilities and enriching our understanding of cultural diversity. It is also a significant element in contemporary ballet productions, aiming to convey aesthetic beauty and historical and socio-cultural depth.
Aleksei Fomkin performed the entire repertoire of characteristic roles in classical ballets at the Mariinsky Theatre, which makes him one of the leading specialists in this field of ballet. In teaching folk and historical dances at the academy, a teaching system developed by Aleksei Fomkin based on the tradition of the Russian ballet school is applied.
The most important part of education at Fomkin Ballet Academy is stage practice, which is implemented in two forms:
On stage – through students' participation in Academy productions and ballet competitions.
In the studio – as part of the "Classical Variation" classes, students study outstanding examples of ballet choreography.
Teachers at Fomkin Ballet Academy prepare students for participation in YAGP (Youth America Grand Prix), CDC (California Danse Classique), and many other ballet competitions.
ALEKSEI FOMKIN STUDENTS’ COMPETITION AWARDS
YOUTH AMERICA GRAND PRIX, YAGP: https://yagp.org/winners-2021/
San Francisco, California, 2023
2ND PLACE Ensembles
TOP 12 CLASSICAL DANCE CATEGORY
TOP 12 ENSEMBLES CATEGORY
TOP 12 NATIONAL CHARACTER CATEGORY
San Francisco, California, 2024
TOP 12 IN THE CLASSICAL DANCE CATEGORY
TOP 24 IN THE CLASSICAL DANCE CATEGORY
CALIFORNIA DANCE CLASSICS, СDC
San Francisco, California, 2023
https://www.californiadanceclassics.org/blank
GOLD AWARD NATIONAL CHARACTER ENSEMBLE CATEGORY, 13 Years & Older
SILVER AWARD CLASSICAL BALLET ENSEMBLE CATEGORY, 14 Years & Older
San Francisco, California, 2024
https://www.californiadanceclassics.org/san-francisco-results-2024
GOLD AWARD CLASSICAL REPERTOIRE SOLO, 13-14 Years
BRONZE AWARD NATIONAL CHARACTER ENSEMBLE, 11 Years & Older
HONORABLE MENTION IN CLASSICAL REPERTOIRE SOLO
SPECIAL HONORABLE MENTION IN CLASSICAL REPERTOIRE SOLO, 11-12 Years
An important auxiliary discipline at Fomkin Ballet Academy is stretching & conditioning, which consists of specific exercises for stretching and flexibility to improve body mobility, especially in areas crucial for ballet performance. This training includes exercises focused on muscle and joint stretching, enhancing flexibility, and increasing range of motion. In ballet school, stretching is an integral part of classes because dancers must possess high flexibility and body control to execute complex and aesthetically beautiful movements. Stretching exercises encompass static and dynamic stretches, work on stretching different muscle groups (such as legs, back, and shoulders), and breathing and relaxation techniques that contribute to effective stretching.
The goal of stretching at Fomkin Ballet Academy is to achieve flexibility and strength, prevent injuries, improve muscle endurance, and enhance the quality of ballet movements.
In the early years of training, children at Fomkin Ballet Academy engage in gymnastics and rhythmic exercises based on an integrated sports and ballet gymnastics program using the Knyazev method. Combined with rhythmic education, this enables the development of flexibility and plastic expressiveness, musicality, and auditory skills, systematically developing their musculoskeletal system and preparing them for future more rigorous demands.
Thus, Fomkin Ballet Academy provides comprehensive and systematic education in ballet art, fostering the development of professionalism and inspiring students to achieve high results in the art of ballet. We are confident that our educational methods will help our students develop their natural talents correctly and without harm to their health.
Adult ballet classes offer numerous benefits beyond physical activity. Here are a few reasons why ballet is valuable and exciting:
1. Physical Development: Ballet helps maintain excellent physical condition by developing flexibility, endurance, strength, and coordination. Adults can improve posture, strengthen muscles—mainly those rarely used in everyday life—and enhance overall fitness.
2. Mental Health Improvement: Regular ballet practice can significantly reduce stress and anxiety, enhance emotional stability, and improve mood. Dance helps express emotions and experiences through movement, which can be a powerful form of psychotherapy.
3. Discipline and Concentration: Ballet requires high discipline and attention to detail. These skills help develop the ability to focus, work diligently, and achieve set goals, which can positively impact other areas of life.
4. Aesthetic Enjoyment and Self-Expression: Ballet is an art form that allows adults to develop a sense of beauty, expressiveness, and artistry. Dance provides an opportunity for creative self-expression, which can be especially valuable for those who lack other outlets for self-expression.
5. Social Aspects: Group ballet classes offer the chance to find like-minded individuals, expand social circles, and create a new community united by a shared passion, fostering social skills and a sense of belonging, making you feel connected and part of a community.
6. Learning and Developing New Skills: Ballet helps adults develop new skills and acquire new knowledge, stimulating intellectual growth and maintaining cognitive functions, keeping you intellectually stimulated and engaged.
7. Enjoyment of the Process: Despite the physical challenges, ballet classes provide a sense of achievement and satisfaction from overcoming difficulties and reaching new levels of mastery, empowering you and keeping you motivated.
Ballet for adults is a way to maintain physical fitness, an opportunity for personal and creative growth, improve mental health, and expand one's social circle.
