#cherepanova

I share your sentiment…

VBA 2019/2020 academic year is well and truly underway, and I have now heard from a number of sources that both Yana Cherepanova and Olga Morgulets are no longer at the academy. I know a few of you have been wondering about that.

On universaldance_'s instagram, there is a video that appears to be from VBA uploaded around 06/12. One of the dancer's ribbons came off her shoes. Do you know if they are VBA students, and which student this was? Thanks!

A post shared by Universal Dance (@universaldance_) on Dec 7, 2017 at 12:08pm PST

That is incredibly badass. And, yes, that’s Vaganova, though I can’t identify them.

Who is playing the role of Princess Masha this year?

At this point, only two casts have been confirmed: Khoreva/Juusela and Khiteeva/Stenyushkin. We have to wait to see who the other casts are. I seriously doubt they only have two.

If you were to rank Maria Khoreva, Maria Petukhova, and Maria Bulanova, how would you place them in order?

I wouldn’t. I try to avoid comparing dancers in general but I especially don’t find it healthy when it comes to students. Even when I have a clear favourite (in this case - Khoreva). We all know and love Khoreva because she’s been around and very visible for ages, while Petukhova and Bulanova recently came out (simingly) out of nowhere and blew everyone away. All three girls are very hardworking and talented in their own way. All three have strong individualities. 

I think you mentioned something about the students at Vaganova having to tie their pointe shoes differently when Tsiskaridze was appointed. Do you know how they tie them?

I’ve been trying to find the answer to that question for a very long time but, so far, haven’t had much success. I remember that this was discussed in a news segment which was filmed about six months after Tsiskaridze took over at VBA. They had a girl give a demonstration and everything. I don’t think I’ll be able to find it again...

What year is Anita Voroshilova?

I think she’s in her final year.

Is Vlad Bellikov (the Giselle VBA student with the hilarious videos) in his last year/Tsiskaridze's class?

I’m pretty sure he’s in Andrey Ermolenkov’s class (second-to-last year). 

Thank you for answering so quickly!! Would you mind telling me the height of egor Gerashchenko and oscar frame? Thank you!

Not a clue. Both are a bit taller than Tsiskaridze.

@kittykatspears: Firstly I want to say that your blog is gorgerous!! You know everything about Vaganova👏 Recently I watched on youtube some videos about Yana Cherepanova performance in Rome in June. She surprised me because she looked so awkward and insure while dancing.. Also tecnically... She can do at least one pirouette!! I know that you usually don't speak about younger students but I want to know your opinion... She looks beautiful on her instagram but I was shocked when I saw her dancing... Thanks 😊😊

Well, like you said, I don’t comment on younger dancers. Moreover, I’ve never seen Yana dance and, in any case, I try to avoid forming an opinion based on one or two clips. As I always say in such cases: flexibility, balance, hyperextension, etc. don’t make a dancer, but it’s way too early to judge how good Yana is anyway. 

When you say the second to last years are rehearsing/dancing big Masha, do you mean at the Mariinsky theatre? Do they allow students to dance such big roles when they have principle dancers already?

Vaganova Ballet Academy perform “The Nutcracker” at the Mariinsky on par with the main company. This has been a tradition for many decades.

Hello, is Yana one of the top students in her class? She has so many Insta followers, I thought maybe because she was one of the better ballet dancers??

The number of followers on social media doesn’t automatically equate to talent. It’s important to remember that. Yana Cherepanova has some very impressive skills, however, her engagement in major VBA productions has been minimal. I don’t like talking about the younger students and in Yana’s case I certainly think that it will take years before we really know what to make of her. I’ll only say this: the effort it takes to develop such incredible extensions at such a young age, to say nothing of going en pointe before the age of ten, can lead to serious damage and can actually prevent a child from developing into a dancer as they grow. Balance, flexibility and extensions are great. But it’s not what makes a dancer. We have to wait and see.

Any guesses about who will play Princess Masha in Nutcracker at VBA? Other then the obvious Maria Khoreva.

All we can do is guess. Khoreva is the obvious choice, but we should also watch out for Ionova, Bulanova and Petukhova.

Hello! I understand Minori Nakashima (apologies if I spelt her name wrong) is with the Finnish National Ballet now. Such wonderful news! I was just wondering if she had actually already graduated from VBA? I had thought she was in her 6th year this year? Love your blog btw! - Caroline

Minori was a foreign trainee in Xenia Sevenard’s class. If she’s completed the foreign traineeship program, she’s eligible to work.

Would you happen to know who is Anastasia Dzhioeva? Is she a dancer? I've seen her quite a few times with some VBA students and she seems really close to them. She seems like a really nice, happy person. I was just wondering if she's a dancer too?

She works at the Mariinsky, but I’m not sure what she does. I doubt she’s a dancer but it’s possible that she’s a former student.

Was Lada Ivanovna hired by a company, or does she have another year at the academy? I know she's not top of the class, but I love her character interpretations and find her control and sweetness moving. I was just wondering...

Lada Ivanova is a student. She graduates next year.

I seem to think that while Marachok (I forgot the girl's name), has a way better body than Eleonora, there seem to be something missing in Marachok when compared to Eleonora, same thing with Saveileva. I think I really do agree with that Eleonora is brilliant, however, I do know you really like Marachok and Svetlana Saveileva, would you care to explain why? Im just curious. Keep up your blog, its really wonderful!

Thank you. Her name is Maria Khoreva. Eleonora has had a lot of stage practice. Arguably more than anyone else at the academy. This is why she appears more professional than other students. The fault people tend to point out with Saveileva is that, as brilliant as she is in class, she seems unable to bring all the elements together during a performance. It could be a matter of nerves and lack of practice, and the issue may resolve itself in time. Khoreva is more confident and I believe that she will only grow stronger and more impressive with practice. I like Savelieva because (in class) she gives me strong Lopatkina vibes. It’s a shame that a lot of her major performances so far have not been great (for reasons mentioned above), but I keep my fingers crossed for her. 

Hello! I know you mentioned previously it was too soon to give an opinion on Lada, has that changed? Just wondering what you think of her :)

Do you mean Lada Sartakova? My previous comment stands. I haven’t formed an opinion beyond that.