Former Pupils of Agrippina Vaganova to Teach in NYC Summer Program

January 14, 2015

This summer, Open World Dance Foundation—an organization that provides unique programs and events to preserve the history and philosophy of Russian ballet training—is hosting a three-week summer intensive and teacher-training seminar in New York City. The program, held July 13–August 1, provides a rare opportunity to work with three women who studied directly under renowned Russian pedagogue Agrippina Vaganova: American Ballet Theatre ballet mistress and former Mariinsky star Irina Kolpakova; Ludmila Safranova, a professor at the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg who danced as a principal with the Mikhailovsky Ballet; and Irina Trofimova, who studied pedagogy under Vaganova and has taught at the Academy continuously since.

 

This is not the first time that Open World Dance Foundation has brought together East and West. Last November, the organization joined forces with The George Balanchine Trust to stage the late choreographer’s work on Vaganova Academy students for the first time in the school’s history. Now, American students and teachers have the opportunity to experience a distinctly authentic window into Agrippina Vaganova’s influential training method. Kolpakova, Safranova and Trofimova—who are all in their eighties—are among only four of her pupils still teaching today. For audition and application information, click here.