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PAST MASTERCLASSES

master classes & choreography

Shahar Binyamini

Master in Gaga movement language.

Mr. Binyamini has been creating several new contemporary pieces for Bayer Ballet.

november 8-13

PHOTOGRAPHY: Elena Zabelina

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ABOUT SHAHAR BINYAMINI

Shahar is a choreographer and performer from Israel. He danced with Batsheva Dance Company from 2006 to 2013 where he performed extensively the repertoire of choreographers Ohad Naharin and Sharon Eyal, Among the works Shahar was the original cast of are; Hora, Sadeh 21, The Hole -by Ohad Naharin and Bill, House- by Sharon Eyal.

During those years in the company, Shahar began his activity as a Gaga movement language teacher. He acted as the artistic director of the Gaga intensive courses in Tel Aviv, Italy, Los Angeles , New-York and Japan.

As a choreographic assistant to Ohad Naharin, Shahar is working with dance companies around the world, including Paris Opera Ballet, Ballet BC, Nederlands Dans Theater, Compañía Nacional de Danza, Finish National Opera, Gothenburg Opera house, and Bordeaux national Ballet.

After Leaving Batsheva dance company, Shahar started his international choreographic path on 2016 in Singapore, where he created his choreographic work FLAT for Frontier DanceLand. Throughout his career, Shahar was commissioned by many international dance companies and dance Institutions to create new pieces, including MENSCH (2016) For Saarländische Staattheater, LUNGS (2016) for UCLA, EMPTY3 (2017) for Ate9 and Gauthier Dance Company, PARADISO (2018) for Frontier DanceLand, VULNER (2018) for Norrdans, BALLROOM (2019) for Festspielhaus St. Polten, and I AM (2019) for Ballet du Rhin.

Since 2013, Together with professor Atan Gross from the Weizmann institute for science in Israel, Shahar established a research group of dancers, scientists and choreographers called TNUDA which are based in Weizmann institute and explore the connection between science and movement. 

master class
natalia bashkatova

YAGP JUDGE

FORMER PRINCIPAL DANCER

BOLSHOI BALLET & CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

october 20 & 21

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MASTER CLASSES

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Natalia Bashkatova

YAGP JUDGE, MASTER TEACHER,, M

FORMER PRINCIPAL DANCER

BOLSHOI BALLET & CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

October 20

4:00-6:00PM :: Ages 11-13 

6:15-8:15PM :: Ages 14+ 

October 21

9:00-11:00AM :: Ages 11-13 

12:00-2:00PM :: Ages 14+

COST

$60 PER CLASS

NATALIA BASHKATOVA

NATALIA BASHKATOVA trained at the prestigious Moscow State Academy of Choreography (Bolshoi Ballet Academy). From 1989-1994, Ms. Bashkatova was a principal dancer with the prestigious Bolshoi Theater Grigorovich Ballet and then became a guest principal dancer with the New York City Ballet. She has toured worldwide, performing many title classical roles, and was named Best Ballerina during the 1992 Spoleto International Arts Festival in Italy. After moving to the United States, Natalia became a Principal Ballerina with Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas as the lead dancer in Mystere. In 1998, she moved to Orlando to perform in Cirque du Soleil’s “La Nouba” as the Lost Ballerina, which she performed for 19 years before the show’s closing in 2017.

 

Ms. Bashkatova received her teaching degree from the Moscow State Academy of Choreography and brings her classical and crossover experience into teaching her classes.  She is a highly sought-after master teacher and coach, internationally and a judge and master teacher for the prestigious ballet competition Youth America Grand Prix.

Q&A lecture
and master class

Ted Brandsen, Lucia Lacarra,
Bakhtiyar Adamzhan
September 24

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September 24, 2023

MASTER CLASS 

Bakhtiyar Adamzhan, Principal Dancer, 

Astana Opera and Ballet Company

9:30-11:00am

Classical Ballet Technique (ages 13-18+)

Q&A CONVERSATION

Ted Brandsen, Director and Choreographer, 

Dutch National Ballet

Lucia Lacarra, 

International Ballet Star

11am-12pm

This Master Class and Q&A Conversation is produced by:
PETIPA HERITAGE FOUNDATION

Petipa Heritage Foundation is dedicated to preserving, restoring, and further developing the beautiful choreographic works of Marius Petipa and his contemporaries. Their mission is to ensure that classical ballet remains relevant, appreciated, and enduring for future generations to experience and advance. Petipa Heritage Foundation, 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation. Tax ID 88-1992483

COST

  • Workshop (Q&A Conversation included in the price): $60 per dancer

  • Q&A Session: $60 per person

REGISTER

after school WORKSHOPS
AUGUST 8-SEPTEMBER 1

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BALLET STRETCHING, CONDITIONING & TECHNIQUE
MASTER CLASS

WITH APRIL WEXELMAN

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JULY 22, 2023

AGES 12-18+

10:00-11:00am

Ballet Stretching & Conditioning

11:00am-12:30pm

Ballet Technique

 

AGES 8-11

12:45-1:45pm

Ballet Stretching & Conditioning

1:45-3:15pm

Ballet Technique

 

𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜


INSTRUCTOR

APRIL WEXELMAN is a respected instructor, coach, & choreographer. She currently works for Youth America Grand Prix as the Social Media Director, & as a Semi-Final Coordinator and Teacher. She is also a judge and teacher on Convention for Dance Masters of America.

 

Ms. Wexelman has taught at The Rock Center for Dance, Master Ballet Academy, Westlake School for the Performing Arts, UNLV, Las Vegas School for the Performing Arts, Jacksonville University, Douglas Anderson School for the Performing Arts, LaVilla School for the Performing Arts and Nevada Ballet.

Her students have vaulted into professional careers all over the world. Many of her students fill the ranks of major ballet companies including: Houston Ballet, Ballet Met, Hubbard Street, The Royal Danish Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and San Francisco Ballet. Students under her tutelage have had wonderful success at YAGP including: Hope Award, Youth Grand Prix Award, Grand Prix Award, Best Studio Award, Choreography Awards, and 1st place ensembles, 1st place duets, and Top 12, Top 3, across multiple categories at multiple YAGP Finals.

 

Ms. Wexelman's performance credits include lead roles in Swan Lake, La Bayadere, Stars and Stripes, and The Nutcracker. She danced with Malibu Ballet, Conejo Civic Ballet, Phyzix Dance, and F13RCE Dance Theatre as well as commercial work with Dick Clark Productions.

 

EDUCATION

Master of Fine Arts, Jacksonville University / Dance and Choreography

Bachelor of Arts, Pepperdine University

Certified in Mat Pilates, Pilates for Ballet Dancers

California Arts Scholar

Houston Ballet Academy

Kirov Academy in Washington DC

contemporary +
gyrokinesis
MASTER CLASS

WITH laura o'malley

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CONTEMPORARY + GYROKINESIS
MASTER CLASS

bayer ballet studios​
ages 10-13 MASTER CLASS
ages 14+MASTER CLASS

 

MAY 30, 2023

SCHEDULE

4-5:30pm - ages 10-13

5:30-7pm- ages 14+

$50/class

 

𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜

Working on contemporary phrases and improvisation, dancers explore personal interpretation of the movement and musicality. These skills are essential, as many professional companies require improvisation during auditions. 

INSTRUCTOR

LAURA O'MALLEY was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and trained on full scholarship at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C.  Laura went on to dance professionally at globally renowned companies such as the Boston Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, and Stuttgart Ballet, where she was promoted to soloist. In 2012, Laura  was invited to dance for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, which eventually led to her tenure with  Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet. In 2017 Laura joined SFDanceworks, where she later also choreographed and became co-director. 

 

As a performer, Laura was lauded for her interpretations in dozens of soloist and principal roles including title roles in “Giselle”, “La Sylphide”, “Lulu”. She originated roles in creations by Douglas Lee, Wayne McGregor, Mauro Bigonzetti, Alejandro Cerrudo, Christian Spuck, Krzyztof Pastor, Bridget Breiner, Alonzo King, and Danielle Rowe, and performed work by acclaimed choreographers such as Jiri Kylian, William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin, Nacho Duato, Mats Ek, Marco Goecke, Hans van Manen, Jorma Elo, Twyla Tharp, and Martha Graham. 

 

Having had the unparalleled experience of collaborating with so many innovators, Laura takes great pride in sharing her knowledge as a facilitator, creator, and educator with Lines ballet’s education programs. Work that led her to serve as the rehearsal director for Lines Ballet from 2021-2022. 

 

In 2022, Laura committed fully to pursuing her own choreographic career. Laura has had works commissioned by American Ballet Theater’s choreographic incubator project, and was a finalist at the 2019 Palm Desert Choreography Festival.  Laura’s work was referred to as “promising” by Rachel Howard, for her highly regarded 2nd commission for SFDanceworks. 

 

Laura is an Adjunct Professor at Dominican University of California and certified GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Trainer.

WINTER VARIATIONS WORKSHOPS

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VARIATIONS WORKSHOPS
WITH INTERNATIONAL TEACHERS & COMPETITIONS JUDGES

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ADJI CISSOKO

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CONTEMPORARY
WORKSHOP

bayer ballet studios​
ages 12-14 workshop
ages 15+workshop

 

September 26, 2021

SCHEDULE

Ages 12-14 (9:45-11:45am) $50 - REGISTER

Ages 15+ (12-2pm) $50 - REGISTER

 

𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜

Working on contemporary phrases and improvisation, dancers explore personal interpretation of the movement and musicality. These skills are essential, as many professional companies require improvisation during auditions. 

INSTRUCTOR

ADJI CISSOKO was born and grew up in Munich, Germany where she trained at the Ballet Academy Munich and graduated with a diploma in dance. Cissoko attended the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre in New York City on full scholarship, before joining the National Ballet of Canada in 2010. In 2012 she was awarded the Patron Award of Merit by the Patrons’ Council Committee of The National Ballet of Canada. Cissoko joined LINES Ballet in 2014. Since then she’s originated many central roles and guested for galas worldwide. Cissoko has given multiple masterclasses and taught classes around the world as part of the company’s outreach program. In 2020 she became certified in health/life coaching as well as in ABT’s National Training Curriculum. Cissoko is currently a judge for Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP).

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SERGEY KOZADayEV

MALE PROGRAM

workshop

(FREE)

bayer ballet studios​

all ages + levels

JUNE 5-6, 2021

This two day workshop is designed to provide an inside perspective on the training opportunities for male dancers.  There are two sessions to accommodate dancers with varying levels of experience.  

INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVELS

  • Saturday 3:00-4:30PM

  • Sunday 11:30AM-1:00PM

 

BEGINNING & INTERMEDIATE LEVELS

(no prior experience required)

  • Saturday 4:30-5:30PM

  • Sunday 1:00-2:00PM

DRESS CODE

Black tights, leggings, or shorts and white t-shirt

INSTRUCTOR

Sergey KOZADAYEV danced with the St. Petersburg State Ballet as a principal dancer for 22  years. He received the Merit of Honor of the Russian Republic signifying his reputation for the highest level of dance training and performance and was featured in a biographical documentary for Russian TV.
 
In 1991, he graduated from the St. Petersburg Conservatory in Choreography and Dance and holds a degree from the University of Culture and Art in St. Petersburg.
 
He has choreographed and danced in over 15 countries.

SEBASTIAN VINET

FEBRUARY 21-23, 2020

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE

MASTER CLASSES WITH

Sebastian Vinet

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

HONORS & AWARDS

2020 Prix de Lausanne Jury Board

Prix de Lausanne Winner & Apprenticeship Award, 2009

Premio Jovenes Lideres del diario El Mercurio,

Ambassador of Chile Award, 2009

 

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

Ballet de Santiago

Compañía Nacional de Danza

San Francisco Ballet

International Ballet Greenville

Houston Ballet

Grammy Awards, 2009

FORTE, Melbourne, Australia (Dance Australia, "Vinet named one of the "best performances of the night" 2017

PRINCIPAL ROLES in pieces of world renown choreographers such as Marcia Haydee, Kenneth McMillan, William Forsythe, Christopher Wheeldon, Helfi Tomasson, Stanto Welch, Mark Morris, Ben Sevenson, Demis Volpi, Val Caniparoli, John Cranko, to name a few.

INTERNATIONAL GALAS in England, Denmark.,China, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Indonesia, Russia, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia, Japan, Australia, Hungary, Canada, Switzerland, and across the United States. 

Sebastian holds a parallel career as a model, appearing in campaigns for brands such as Armani, Burberry, Newman and Dolce Gabbana, and was also featured in Vogue magazine.

 

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Vogue Magazine 20th Anniversary Gala, Mexico City, considered the next"Met Gala of Latin America"

International Ballet Gala, Emblematic Theater, Chile, Teatro Oriente

Fundación Artística Sebastián Vinet, Non-profit foundation to help young Chilean dancers to develop their art, while providing international opportunities for the next generation of artistis (founded by Vinet in 2017).

EDUCATION

Escuela de Ballet del Teatro Municipal de Santiago (Santiago de Chile)

Houston Ballet Academy, Cladio Munoz

"It is our duty as a society to realize that without art there is practically nothing; art surrounds us from the first hours in the morning, until the last hours of the night. During my career I have witnessed a lot of talent that fails to develop, for several reasons, but the main one is due to lack of economic and social conditions, not understanding that art is extremely important for our existence, we tend to look at it as a hobby and not as a profession. That is why I have decided to form a foundation, I want to support future artists and train new generations.” 

SEBASTIAN VINET

Photograph: Paulo Garcia

ALEXEI MOSKALENKO

FEBRUARY 17-18, 2020

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE

MASTER CLASSES WITH

Alexei Moskalenko

YAGP Assistant Artistic Director

For the past 20 years, Alexei Moskalenko has been working with the world largest Ballet Competition for students - Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), as Judge, Master teacher, NY Rehearsals Director, Tour Director, US Operations Director and Assistant Artistic Director.  Alexi evaluates, judges, guides and teaches more than10,000 students, who compete at YAGP, across 26 US cities and 13 countries, yearly.

Prior to moving to the United States in 1992, Alexei danced and toured around the world with Bolshoi Ballet Grigorovich, Prokofiev's Moscow Ballet and Moscow Children Musical Theater.  Following a 10 year career as a principal dancer with numerous ballet companies, Alexei devoted himself to teaching and directing students in US and around the world, including American School of Russian Ballet (Owner/Artistic Director), Markell School of Dance, and Indiana Ballet Conservatory's Pre-Professional Program (Director).  He has served as adjudicator, choreographer, and master teacher world-wide, across the US, Spain, France, Portugal, Peru, Columbia, Mexico, Brazil, Romania, China, Japan, Korea, Kirgizstan, and Argentina. 

 

Alexei's students have received numerous awards in the world's most prestigious ballet competitions, including Moscow IBC (gold medal), Varna and Jackson IBC (silver medals), YAGP (numerous), to name a few.  Many have joined professional ballet companies, prestigious ballet schools, summer programs, and dance universities.

Mr. Moskalenko graduated from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Moscow with a  Vaganova Method teaching degree.  Teachers: Maxim Martirosian, Alexander Bondarenko and Alexander Prokofiev.

GARY MAURICE LEWIS

NOVEMBER 1-3, 2019

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE

CONTEMPORARY WORKSHOP

Master Teacher & YAGP Judge,

Gary Maurice Lewis

Gary Maurice Lewis, born and raised in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, has forged a singular career in Dance and Theatre in the United States and abroad since 1982.  Lewis received his training  at the Ballet Theater of School of The Virgin Islands, Dance Theater of Harlem, Washington School of Ballet - The Young Dancers Company (TWSB), and received a full scholarship to Alvin Ailey American Dance School.

In 1989 Mr. Lewis made his professional debut as a company member of the Capitol Ballet of Washington, D.C. under the direction of late Doris Jones.  Lewis has since tourned across the United States, Europe and Africa as a company member with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Colorado Ballet, and Ron Brown EVIDENCE at the Joyce Theater, NYC. His repertoire includes pieces by ballets by Donald McKayle, Talley Beatty, Donald Byrd, Eleo Pomare, Kevin Jeff and Katherine Dunham, Dianne Mcintyre and Gary Abbott, Alvin Ailey, including “The River."

Mr. Lewis made his Broadway debut in the original cast of “The Lion King," as a Swing Dancer and Assistant Dance Captain, at the New Amsterdam Theater. In 2001, joined the cast of “The Lion King National Gazelle Tour” for two years performing to audiences throughout the United States.

 

Other featured performances include the 1998 Tony Awards with The Lion King; the 2008 Middle Eastern Film Festival Opening and Closing Ceremonies in Abu Dhabi, choreographed and directed by Otis Sallid; and performances of FAUST and CARMINA BARANA with the Colorado Symphony in Denver Colorado.

Mr. Lewis has Judged and taught Master Classes  for the YAGP (Youth American Grand Prix ) for the past 6 years . 

Adonis Daukaev

Heading 5

AUGUST 13-18, 2019

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE

the return of Master Teacher Adonis Daukaev, graduate Ballet Master and Choreographer of the world-renowned Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia and an impressive 26-year  professional dance career in Russia, Poland, Germany, Austria, and Canada.

Mr. Daukaev started his dance career as Principal Dancer at the Lviv National Opera, Ukraine in 1985 and went on to an astounding career as Principal Dancer and Choreographer at the Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern, Germany. He was a ballet teacher at Lviv National Opera, Gdansk Opera Baltycka, Salzburg Ballet, Augsburg Ballet, and Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern. In addition to his credentials, Mr. Daukaev graduated as Ballet Master and Choreographer at the notable Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. With a professional dance background spanning over 26 years, Mr. Daukaev has worked with renowned dancers, K.Sergueyev, I. Gensler, R.Gerbeck, B.Blankov, all of whom embody strong traditional Russian ballet artistry, in both classical and modern repertoires. As well, Mr. Daukaev has choreographed a number of original works and has worked with internationally-renowned artists such as Germinal Casado, Patricia Neary and Nikita Dolgushine.

karine plantadit