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from Preston Hollow People February 2023

by People Newspapers

Business

A RUSSIAN PRIMA BALLERINA’S TEXAS TALE

Olga Pavlova trains young dancers at The Dallas Conservatory

CLOCKWISE: Summer Brown, Anna Funakura, Avonlea Hilton, and Sophia Rose-Centurioni won first place in ensemble in the 2022 Regional Youth America Grand Prix in Dallas. Former Pavlova Professional Coaching student Anna Funakura is a trainee with the European School of Ballet in Amsterdam. Summer Brown, a Youth America Grand Prix ambassador and multiple international ballet competitions winner, is a San Francisco Ballet paid trainee. Avonlea Hilton is a Pavlova Professional Coaching student. Olga Pavlova.

RHI LEE, COURTESY YAGP, MARLEN ALIMANOV, SHELLEY DALEBOUT

By Josh Hickman

Special Contributor

One might wonder what a former prima ballerina for the Bolshoi Ballet is doing teaching in a private studio in Dallas.

The famed Olga Pavlova, a former principal dancer in the Imperial Russian Ballet and the Moscow Classical Ballet, eventually found her way to Dallas via her art.

“In 2003, I made a big leap across the ocean, and I stayed,” Pavlova explained, recalling how she accepted a contract from the now-defunct Metropolitan Classical Ballet. “I love it here.”

She was at a turning point in her professional career as a prima ballerina, which lasted an astonishing 30 years.

“All professional ballet instruction in Russia begins at 10 years old,” the Moscow native said, though she started ballet lessons at 6.

Having traveled to more than 50 countries with touring companies, Pavlova had visited the U.S. many times before her move.

She recently declined a job offer due to several circumstances, but the deciding factor was a relocation.

Education is the best investment, and I think classical ballet is one of the best things for young girls to study. Olga Pavlova

“I love Texas,” she said. “I love Dallas.”

Pavlova began teaching at The Dallas Conservatory in 2013, for which she choreographed the first Nutcracker.

Six years ago, she started teaching a private group in the mornings.

“Some students look for a big school with many resources,” she noted. “Those who are looking for private, elite, worldclass training are coming to me.”

She began her solo Pavlova Professional Coaching in 2020 and, during the pandemic, actually gained students. “I had already taught on Zoom, so I was prepared.”

Via Zoom, some dancers received coaching from as far away as Austria, France, and Australia. Now that in-person training has resumed, dancers still seek her mentorship — some coming from Austin and California.

“I work not on quantity but on the quality, the quality of each individual student,” she said. “In a big school, your teachers can change often, sometimes every day. But for a solid foundation for a future career, I think one teacher is better.”

One of her students was recently recruited by the San Francisco Ballet as a paid trainee, while two others were accepted as trainees in Amsterdam.

Preparing students for the Youth America Grand Prix is a priority. Part of a global competition, its judges are the heads of prestigious ballet companies.

“Students who win get contracts, and the younger ones can get scholarships from the really big schools,” Pavlova said. “It’s a big deal for the little ones and a great opportunity for them to make a step forward.”

She also imparts her knowledge of ballet history, music history, costuming, and acting, giving her students a firm foundation for a life on the stage. Her class is only four students at present, all in their middle teens, though the age range can be 12 to 17.

“My doors are open,” Pavlova said of the future. “I would be happy to see more clients who are ready to be committed. My students trust me, and their parents trust me. It’s important for the parents to support the students. And they see the results.

“Education is the best investment, and I think classical ballet is one of the best things for young girls to study.”

AT A GLANCE

Pavlova Professional Coaching The Dallas Conservatory, 7979 Inwood Road, Unit 201 pavlovaballet@yahoo.com www.pavlovaballet.com Insta DM: @olga.pavlova.ballet

America’s QB Still Making History

In the 1970s, Roger Staubach made NFL history with thrilling comebacks, his “Hail Mary” pass to Drew Pearson, and Super Bowl titles.

But No. 12’s contributions didn’t end when he left football behind.

His work in business and philanthropy also contributed to his recent selection by the Texas State History Museum Foundation for a History-Making Texan Award.

The foundation will honor the Preston Hollow resident along with esteemed military leader and public servant Admiral William H. McRaven (U.S. Navy retired) during the Texas Independence Day Roger Staubach COURTESY Dinner to be held on March 2 at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. “The 2023 Texas IndeWilliam H. McRaven pendence Day Dinner will be a celebration of these two exceptional honorees and their contributions to Texas, the nation, and the world,” said Lisa Cooley, the foundation trustee serving as chair for the dinner.

“They stand as role models to emulate, and we look forward to sharing their dramatic and inspiring stories with our guests,” she said.

The annual dinner, now in its 19th year, recognizes living Texas legends for exceptional contributions to the state and the nation. Nearly 500 business, political, and community leaders attend annually, and proceeds benefit educational programs and special projects of the Bullock Museum.

Cooley praised Staubach, a Heisman Trophy winner for Navy, as “one of football’s all-time greats” and a community leader.

“As legendary Hall of Fame quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, he was key in making the Cowboys ‘America’s Team’ and led them to nine of the Cowboys’ record-setting 20 consecutive winning seasons,” she said. “After his retirement from his record-setting athletic career, Roger founded a real estate firm and used his platform to benefit philanthropic causes.”

McRaven, a best-selling author and former University of Texas System chancellor, led the U.S. Special Operations Command as a FourStar admiral.

“Notably, he commanded the troops that captured Saddam Hussein, rescued Captain Phillips, and led the Osama bin Laden mission in 2011,” Cooley said. “Since his active service, he has provided counsel to U.S. Presidents and leaders on defense issues.”

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Not intended as solicitation of properties currently listed with another broker. Information contained herein is believed to be correct but not guaranteed. O ering made subject to errors, omissions, change of price, prior sale or withdrawal without notice.