#frolova

How does it work for Vaganova students and teachers having classes also in Context Pro?

Professor Ludmila Kovaleva is Diana’s teacher, mentor and Godmother. It makes sense that she teaches a class or two at Diana’s studio. And there’s nothing stopping the students from taking a class at Context Pro outside of their school hours. From what I hear, many students take extra classes during the week outside of VBA anyway.

About Minori Nakashima, she was hired by the Finnish National Ballet coming out of her 6th year. Can students join companies that young?

Foreign trainees are in a slightly different position to the local students. Their time at the academy ranges anywhere from a semester to four years. After they receive their certificate of completion, they’re free to go. If a company wants to hire them, there’s nothing stopping them from accepting. 

Of course it’s not very common for companies to hire such young dancers, but it’s not unheard of. ABT hired Paloma Herrera at 16.

Did Zoya Frolova really move to Korea?? Would you know why?

I don’t know but if I had to venture a guess I’d say that she either transferred or went on exchange. There’s a very strong ballet school in Seoul

Anna Frolova

You said that they added a new grade level to the top which means that Khoreva and her classmates now have two years to go until graduation (I think I read that correctly) so does that mean there won't be a graduating class this year?

No, as I mention in that post: “ I’m pretty sure they will still be graduating in 2018, but their diplomas may be different to those of the previous graduates.”

Did Zoya leave VBA? There is a picture of her at the Korean National University of Arts, recently posted so she couldn't have been at the opening ceremony of VBA this year.

It appears she is indeed based in Seol now. I’m not sure why though. As of the end of last year, she was at VBA and doing well.

I asked this question before but I don't know it was sent. I've always found Julia Spiridonova's classmates, Darya Ustyuzhanina and Ksenia Andreenko, as more promising, though Julia is a very good dancer as well. While Julia, Darya, and Ksenia all played Little Masha when they were younger, why is that Julia is more featured in the graduation performance? Is it because of her body type?

I’m not sure how the casting is determined at Vaganova, but I trust the teachers’ decision. As it happens, I’ve recently read a review of the graduation performance by Igor Stupnikov, a prominent ballet historian and critic, that speaks favourably of Yulia:

“The ballet (”Classical Symphony”) abounds in difficult and exquisite movement combinations, and among the many soloists Yulia Spiridonova and Ruslan Stenyushkin come to mind as having given great pleasure to the audience with their clean, elegant execution.”

While I think that Yulia was a bit more nervous than some of her fellow soloists, I agree that overall her performance was lovely.

What is your opinion on Julia Spiridonova? I just saw her performance in Paquita variation and I think I was quite impressed with her musicality!

I’ve received several questions about Yulia since the graduation performance. It seems that people aren’t liking her much... Which is a shame because I think she’s doing very well. You can see my previous response here.

Is it known whether Polina Konogray has returned to Vaganova this September or if she will not be studying at the Academy?

I think at this point it’s safe to assume that she’s gone for good. Sadly.

I feel incredibly sad that Polina Konogray will probably never dance in VBA again! She is so talented. I absolutely cannot imagine what she must have felt when she realised she would never be dancing there again. She appears so positive, strong and accepting of it all. Very admirable! Do you have any inkling what her future plans might be?

Yes, it’s very sad, but Polina is very, very young. Her whole life is ahead of her, and from what I hear, ballet isn’t the only thing she’s great at. Polina appears to be very strong academically. In fact, she graduated middle school a year early and took part in a national academic competition at Moscow State University (Russia’s ivy league) earlier this year. Like you said, she is a positive and confident person and she has a loving family to support her. I have a feeling she’s going to be alright.

Anna Frolova

Anna Frolova