The Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana is the official academy of the Indiana Ballet Company.Our HistoryThe Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana (RBAI) is a professional academy providing skilled training for approximately 150 ballet students. The main campus is located on the Northwest side of Indianapolis. The instruction has expanded to include additional campuses in Fishers, Lawrence, and Plainfield. RBAI began operations on Nov. 11, 2005, after the collapse of Ballet Internationale. On that day, artistic treasures were literally left standing outside on the sidewalk. In addition, many vendors and ticket holders in the city lost money and were left with great disappointment. Under the guidance of Ms. Alyona Yakovleva, parents, students, and many professional dancers rallied together with a world-class collection of professional ballet instructors and were able to continue classes in borrowed studios within two days. They soon formed the Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana. The mission of The Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana is to provide the best professional training to students of classical ballet regardless of their professional aspirations. RBAI creates opportunities for students to achieve their goals for health, enjoyment, education and career through outstanding studio instruction, class concerts, national and international competitions, performing with professional dancers and integrated arts education. |
| From the three-year-old taking his or her first creative movement class, to class concerts, national and international competitions, performing with professional dancers, and arts education, RBAI creates the most opportunities for students to achieve their goals for health, enjoyment, education or career. RBAI evaluates its programming through class enrollment. In the 2006-2007 school year, enrollment increased by 57%. Classical ballet is the framework for many styles of dance, including Modern, Contemporary Ballet and even Hip Hop. The Indiana Ballet Company (IBC) and its associated academy, the Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana (RBAI), have a distinctive qualification to teach and perform classical ballet, due to the highly specialized artistic staff. The Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana faculty includes renowned instructors with world-wide reputations for classical ballet excellence. Artistic Director Alyona Yakovleva began her training at the Academy of Ballet in Novosibirsk and continued to St. Petersburg Arts University in Russia, graduating in 1999 with a degree certifying her in Professional Ballet Dance Performance, Choreography, and Ballet, Character, and Historical Dance Instruction, going on to earn international acclaim as a dancer, choreographer and instructor. She is one of very few degreed instructors of classical ballet in Indiana. There is no other school of classical ballet with instruction by such a group of accomplished professional instructors in Indiana. The Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana curriculum emphasizes classical ballet technique based upon the Russian tradition of training called the Vaganova method; this method has produced many of the world's finest dancers. The Vaganova method of ballet instruction is named after Agrippina Vaganova. This method of teaching consists of eight standardized levels of instruction. It stresses a continual flow of the body with the coordination of arm and head positions. The Vaganova method embodies the classicism of the Russian Imperial Ballet (now known as the Kirov or Mariinsky Ballet). RBAI made a significant step towards fulfilling its mission in December 2006 by launching the Indiana Ballet Company (IBC). The 2006 production of The Nutcracker attracted an audience of over 2200 patrons in four performances. The Company features many of Indianapolis' professional favorites including Sergey Sergiev, So Yon Nam, Zhanna Sinitsyna, Roman Nikiforov, Lydia Lanier, Mallory Post, Tuesday Mayhew, and Artistic Director Alyona Yakovleva, who have all chosen to make Indianapolis their home. Indiana Ballet Company, in collaboration with RBAI, will provide Indiana with a continued reputation of having a world-class level of classical ballet dance performance and instruction. With approximately four ballets per year, RBAI and IBC are committed to increase the Indiana arts patronage by keeping ticket prices low and implementing innovative outreach and educational programming. |  | Our Mission We aim to provide the best professional training to students of classical ballet regardless of their professional aspirations. RBAI creates opportunities for students to achieve their goals for health, enjoyment, education and career through outstanding studio instruction, class concerts, national and international competitions, performing with professional dancers and integrated arts education. From the three-year-old taking a first ballet class, to class concerts, national and international competitions, performing in professional ballets, incorporating arts education and fitness, RBAI will provide the most opportunities for students to achieve their goals. The Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana is the exclusive academy of the Indiana Ballet Company. RBAI & IBC provide ongoing opportunities to enhance our community. Arts are vital to our social welfare, generating revenue and adding prestige to Indianapolis. We not only offer high quality entertainment, but our children act as ambassadors through guest artistry, competition and community outreach. The RBAI curriculum emphasizes the classical ballet technique based upon the Russian tradition of training called the Vaganova Method; this method has produced many of the world's finest dancers. RBAI students progress through the eight levels of Vaganova training and graduate at the age of 18, fully prepared to join professional companies or college dance programs. RBAI has earned numerous awards in international competition including Outstanding School and Outstanding Teacher. In addition to a full season of public performances, RBAI has performed at Penrod Festival, Broad Ripple Art Fair, International Festival and the Central Indiana Chinese New Year Celebration. RBAI and IBC are dedicated to the highest quality professional ballet training and positioning RBAI as a public servant in arts education. RBAI is a non-profit organization and an equal opportunity employer. Student and Parent news at http://RBAI.biz - rbai@rbai.biz |
