The Vaganova Method

THE VAGANOVA METHOD

ACKNOWLEDGED all over the world as the foremost training syllabus of the classical ballet, the Vaganova Method is a ballet technique and training system that is designed to involve the entire body in every movement, with equal attention given to the feet, legs and upper body. Crafted by the Russian dancer and pedagogue Agrippina Vaganova (1879–1951), the Vaganova Method is an elemental fusion of the athleticism and virtuosity of Italian technique and the traditional French style arisen from the romantic era. Vaganova believed that this holistic approach to training increased one’s consciousness of the body, thereby creating harmony and fluidity of movement, as well as a superior expressive range. The Vaganova method is the foremost technique used by greats of Russian classical ballet including Mikhael Baryshnikov, Rudolph Nureyev, Maya Plisetskaya, Galina Ulanova and Natalia Makarova.

The Academy of Ballet and Jazz, School of Canadian Ballet Theatre, is a top ballet academy in Canada founded by Nadia Veselova Tencer and Solomon Tencer. Using the legendary Vaganova Method, Artistic Director Nadia Veselova Tencer trains students to become professional dancers in ballet companies around the world. The 2017/2018 season marked the 30th anniversary of the school, which was a milestone reached by a series of significant accomplishments through the years.

Veselova Tencer’s pre-professional students compete in the most prestigious international ballet competitions during their training. These competitions include Vaganova Grand-Prix, the International Competitions of Moscow, Varna, USA, and Helsinki, Youth America Grand Prix, and, this past season, the famed Prix de Lausanne. Graduates of the school have also earned contracts all over the world with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, Hungarian National Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Estonian National Ballet, English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Le Ballet du Capitole de Toulouse, and many more.

Students of the Academy show their skill each year performing in timeless classical ballets including The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, La Bayadere, Don Quixote, Coppélia, Le Corsaire, Paquita, and Giselle. Throughout the years, Veselova Tencer stages professional productions featuring guest artists from some of the finest ballet companies in the world such as the Bolshoi Ballet, Kirov Ballet/ Mariinsky Theatre, American Ballet Theatre, Royal Ballet, and Cuban National Ballet. These productions are performances presented by their in-house company: Canadian Ballet Theatre, giving students and local guest artists an opportunity to share the stage with international ballet stars–a treat for performers and audiences alike.

In addition to paving professional routes for the dancers of their school, the founders produce the international ballet gala: Stars of the 21st Century, in which they assemble soloists and principal dancers from the world’s most renowned ballet and contemporary companies. This year marks the 25th anniversary of their widely acclaimed feat of bringing the world’s top ballet artists together on one stage. Stars of the 21st Century galas take place annually in multiple cities, including New York, Paris, Toronto, Moscow, Bucharest, Panama City, Cannes, and, this past June 2018, St. Petersburg–with a grand 25-year anniversary performance.

Due to Veselova Tencer’s international presence and vast professional experience, her students are presented with a lens to ballet around the world. They understand the extremely high standards towards which to strive, and they know that Veselova Tencer’s training will prepare them for the road ahead and hone them for success.

Artistic Director: Academy of Ballet and Jazz, School of Canadian Ballet Theatre Artistic Director: Stars of the 21st Century, Annual International Ballet Gala:

Champs Elysees, Paris, France 1998 – 2006 Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, Russia 2001

Lincoln Center, New York, USA 2000-2007

Palais des Festivales, Cannes, France 1999 – 2007 Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts 2002 -2007 Hummingbird Centre, Toronto, Canada 1995 – 199 Awards: Outstanding Teacher, Youth America Grand Prix, 5x Awards: Brilliance of the 21st Century Medal, New York, 2007 Awards: Golden Soffit Award, St. Petersburg, Russia 1995-1996

Judge and Choreographer at the Youth America Grand Prix, New York, U.S.A. Judge, Prix Benois de la Danse, Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow

Graduate of the Kirov Ballet, St. Petersburg Performed with Russian companies and with the world’s best ballet stars

Nadia Veselova Tencer was a judge at both Prix Benois De La Danse, Bolshoi Theatre-Moscow Russia, and Youth America Grand Prix U.S.A

Starsofthe21stcentury.com academyofballetandjazz.ca

TIFFANY EFIMOV

Born in the city of Toronto, now 12 years old, she began dancing at the age of three. Currently under the tutelage of Nadia Veselova Tencer for Ballet, Pointe, Character, Contemporary, Jazz and Lyrical, she has performed in various shows with the Academy. Efimov has danced solos which include: Princess Florine from Sleeping Beauty, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, a contemporary solo called Mood, Thumbelina from the ballet Thumbelina, an act three variation from Le Corsaire, Cupid variation from Don Quixote and Bacchante variation from Walpurgis night, as well as other dances. Last summer, she participated in The Young Dancers Summer Workshop at American Ballet Theatre, and previously, recently took part in the five-week summer intensive at ABT where Efimov received the ABT National Training Scholar, as well as the Bender Foundation Scholar. In 2017, she competed at the Youth America Grand Prix in Toronto and won the Hope award, and then proceeded to the NYC finals. This year in 2018, Efimov competed at YAGP Toronto once again and received the 1st place award for Contemporary, and the 2nd place award for Classical, in the Junior Age Division.

“When technique and artistry are not balanced, the audience doesn’t grasp the dancer’s intention. My training at the Academy has been invaluable– Nadia has challenged my technique and artistry and made me the dancer I am now.”

“What drives my commitment to dance is the ability to transmit my emotions and my love of dance to people around me, as well as all the opportunities I get like competitions, summer training and scholarships.”

“Dance is a big part of my life; without it, I would lose a portion of myself.”

IRENE YANG

Pre-professional ballet student with a background in competitive dance at award-winning Ontario studios. Yang’s intensive training at Academy of Ballet and Jazz began in 2014, under the instruction of Nadia Veselova Tencer, Vladimir Ivanov and Melody Ichimura. She has earned numerous high levels of recognition at the Youth America Grand Prix competition, including 1st place in both the classical and contemporary categories. This past season, she was selected as a candidate for the 46th Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland. Around 75 candidates from 30+ countries compete each year, with only about 20 making it to the finals. Yang made it to the finals as the only female Canadian, and one of top 5 in her age category. Her training at the Academy of Ballet and Jazz and her international recognition has put her on the path to a successful career in ballet.

“The thrill of being onstage, performing art and connecting with the audience by using extraordinary movement while conveying natural emotions and feelings is what drives me to dance.” “I love dancing because it’s challenging and pushes me to be the best I can be.”

“Dance lightens up my day and allows me to express emotions through movement and gain a sense of self-fulfilment.”

ANASTASIA MILLER

She began her dance training at the age of five at Academy of Ballet and Jazz. A devoted student from the start, Miller trained intensively throughout the years with Nadia Veselova Tencer, Vladimir Ivanov and Melody Ichimura, dancing leading roles in the school’s classical ballets. In 2015, at the age of 14, she competed in the Youth America Grand Prix competition, earning the top award of Youth America Grand Prix, in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2015, she was accepted into the acclaimed State Ballet School in Berlin, Germany, where Miller continued her rigorous training. Knowing that the training she received close to home was on par with professional schools around the world, Miller chose to pick up her studies with Veselova Tencer as she neared the start of her professional career. Competing again at Youth America Grand Prix and earning top awards in classical and contemporary in Toronto, Miller continues to thrive throughout her training as she works toward her bright future as a professional ballet dancer.

“Since the age of 5, I have been pointing my toes, kicking my legs, and twirling away to beautiful music. What started as a mere amusement ride for pure fun and enjoyment, eventually became an unbreakable bond.”

“Under Nadia’s encouraging and nurturing wing, I learned to appreciate the beauty of movement, the magic of classical music, the power of expression, and the great potential of the human body– allowing this appreciation to guide me on my path and inspire me.”

“I have always found that ballet is an art form similar to the art of sculpture. I like to see ballet as the sculptor, and dancers as the strong but pliable marble, full of potential and endless possibility in the sculptor's hands. Over the course of my training, ballet has sculpted me into the person I am today. Ballet has chiselled and carved my identity through the countless hours of hard work, the uplifting moments of success, and trying times of disappointment. But if there is anything I have learned, it is that the relationship between a dancer and her craft is deep and complex, with many ups and downs. It is not always romantic, but there is always an element of love and inspiration that keeps this relationship alive and going.”