The Russian Ballet School in Cambridge offers classical ballet classes for children from age 5 up to advanced level (including Teaching qualification) and for amateur adults, i.e. those who wish to retrain or who have always wanted to learn ballet. Many University staff are pupils in the adult classes. The school is run by Karen Stringer (ANATD, MNATD, FNATD) and the teachings of Agrippina Vaganova and the style of the Kirov Ballet are followed.
COURSES OFFERED
| Term time courses | |||
| Saturday | 10.00 | Adult Beginners | St Paul's Centre, Upper Hall, Hills Road |
| Saturday | 11.00 | Intermediate | St Paul's Centre, Upper Hall, Hills Road |
| Saturday | 12.00 | Primary to Grade II | St Paul's Centre, Upper Hall, Hills Road |
| Saturday | 1.00 | Advanced Teens and Adults | St Paul's Centre, Upper Hall, Hills Road |
| Monday | 6.00 | Basics | Parkside School Assembly Hall |
| Tuesday | 6.00 | Intermediate/Advanced | Parkside School Assembly Hall |
| Wednesday | 6.00 | General | Parkside School Assembly Hall |
| Thursday | 6.00 | Advanced | St Paul's Centre, Upper Hall, Hills Road |
FEES
£7.00 per class
UNIFORM
Primary girls: any style black leotard, pink shoes, pink or white ankle socks in summer, pink tights in winter. A pink, white or black woolly wraparound can also be worn in the winter, and a black chiffon skirt is also acceptable and appreciated.
Primary boys: white t-shirt, black shorts in summer, black tights in winter, black shoes.
Junior, Senior and Adult Girls: any style black leotard, pink or black shoes, pink or black tights, black chiffon skirt. A pair of good pink shoes is required for performances.
Junior, Senior and Adult Men: black unitard or black tights and white t-shirt, black shoes.
Hair must be neat and tidy in all cases. No jewellery or dangly earrings to be worn, for safety reasons.
YEARLY ACTIVITIES
The school has an annual performance and we have had the advantage of having original music composed for us by Rhys Wilson, who is Musician, Composer and Teacher at Abbey College, Ramsey, Cambs. The performances feature original ballets by Karen Stringer. Many adults participate in the performances.
Annual examinations are held and Examiners from the NATD (National Association of Teachers of Dancing) come to examine the pupils. Children may train up to and including Teacher level.
Adults are also entered for examinations when ready.
We also have a yearly Christmas party with a small dance display for the parents and families.
Pupils from the school have won many gold, silver, and bronze medals in the Cambridge Dance Festival over the years.
We pride ourselves on the happy and friendly atmosphere of this school. While excellence is aimed for, the ability to work with a group happily and with co-operation is also promoted.
For further information, please ring Karen Stringer on (01223) 473402
OTHER RUSSIAN STYLE TEACHERS TRAINED BY KAREN STRINGER
Lucy Tennison (ANATD, Distinction)
Natalie Hall (ANATD, Distinction) nataliec_9@hotmail.com
Ryoko Iwasaki (ANATD, Distinction) sakuritoplease@hotmail.com
Sally Thompsett (ANATD, Distinction: MNATD, Distinction) sjthompsett@hotmail.com
Sally now has her own school in Hitchin www.hitchinrussianballet.co.uk
Ellie Morgan (ANATD, Merit)
AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE GLOSSARY OF STEPS ON FILM
To read an article on KAREN STRINGER please click HERE