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Past productions by the company have included 'The Nutcracker,' using the also Vaganova method.
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ANDREA NEALON
Last fall, less than six weeks before a local ballet performance of "The Nut-cracker," choreographer Regina Bogomolova found herself without a studio in which to rehearse or even hold classes.
Her studio contract could not be renewed.
Unfazed by the crisis, Bogomolova was able to pull together a successful performance.
"I think a lesser person would have said, 'OK, that's it--we'll do it next year,' but she kept on going, and it ended up being a beautiful production," said Danyelle Nelson, a parent of one of Bogomolova's ballet students.
"How many prima ballerinas have to pack up their own stage before and after a draining performance?" she added.
Bogomolova, who is in her seventh year teaching chemistry at Potomac High School in Prince William County, now owns Classical Ballet of Fredericksburg, a studio at 4004 Lafayette Blvd. Her husband, Vadim Bogomolov, is artistic adviser, guest artist and master teacher.
Both have extensive training and experience in the U.S. and abroad as professional ballet dancers and instructors.
"Regina is inspiring because of how passionate she is about ballet and her students," Nelson said.
This weekend, Classical Ballet of Fredericksburg will perform "Cinderella" at James Monroe High School. The studio has been open for two years, and "Cinderella" will be its third full-length production. Tickets are available in advance or at the door.
"Cinderella" features a variety of characters, including a very bossy stepmother, two vain stepsisters, four seasonal fairies, the fairy godmother--and of course, Cinderella and her prince.
The ballet follows the basic plot of the children's fairy tale: In the first act, the stepmother and stepsisters prepare for the grand ball. Cinderella only dreams of attending the ball, until her fairy godmother appears and grants her wish.
The second act features a number of dances at the ball, as the prince tries to find his true love. However, Cinderella must flee at midnight--and wait to see if the prince will find her again.
Composed by Sergei Prokofiev and choreographed by Rostislav Zakharov, "Cinderella" debuted in 1945 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
The 35 members of the local cast have been working since late October. The ballet maintains original choreography, and all the costumes are handmade in Russia and shipped to the States.
Regina and Vadim will dance the leads of Cinderella and the Prince.
"I'm looking forward to dancing with him," Bogomolova said.
Paige Godwin, a senior at Mountain View High School, and Sidney Mullis, a junior at Riverbend High School, will dance the roles of the Spiteful Stepsister and the Haughty Stepsister, respectively.
"The girls have been working on their roles for months and they are very funny," Bogomolova said.
Bogomolova, originally from Washington, D.C., has lived and worked in the Fredericksburg and Stafford area for 17 years. She met her husband in 2001 while dancing in Northern Virginia.
Originally from Russia, he was dancing in the States on an outstanding artist's visa.
Bogomolov is one of the Soviet-era graduates of the Vaganova Choreographic Institute in Russia.
The couple, who have danced together for eight years, have been married for five.
They teach using the Vaganova method, which is named after and derived from the teachings of Agrippina Vaganova--a famous instructor who broke down the technique and introduced a more structured syllabus to ballet students in the Soviet Union.
Vaganova developed the most current method of ballet taught in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Vaganova Choreographic Institute, named for her, has fostered such world-renowned artists at Rudolf Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Marina Makanova and George Balanchine.
Vaganova's method is unique because it focuses on dancing with the entire body, rather than just the feet and legs. This method particularly enhances large jumps and turns by emphasizing use of the arms and head.
"For me, ballet has all my life been such a blessing. I love that I am able to generate a true appreciation of the arts to my students--to expose them to something that has meant so much to me," Bogomolova said.
She teaches ballet technique, pointe, variations, pre-ballet, yoga and creative movement classes five evenings a week. She also coaches select students for the Youth America Grand Prix Dance Competition.
"Even if they don't become professional dancers, I can't help but believe that they'll still have a lifelong appreciation for ballet. They're learning something that's hundreds of years old," Bogomolova said. "I get to do what I love and share it with others."
Andrea Nealon:540/374-5000, ext. 5779
Email: anealon@freelancestar.com
| What: Classical Ballet of Fredericksburg presents Sergei Prokofiev's "Cinder-ella" Where: James Monroe High School Auditorium, 2300 Washington Ave., Fredericksburg When: Saturday, March 21, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 22, at 2:30 p.m. Cost: $20 adults, $15 children 11 and under Info: 540/842-6680; balletfredericksburg.com |
