WELCOME to Vostrikov's Academy of Ballet!
The Vostrikov's Academy of Ballet (VAB), located in historic downtown Winchester, VA, has been offering professional training to students of all ages since 1982. The performing arts facility houses three fully equipped studios and a large theater studio for performances. These areas provide an aesthetic environment for individuals to create and share the excitement of dance expression.
Vostrikov's Academy of Ballet is proud to be a part of the Shenandoah Valley, bringing instruction in the art of dance expression to all.
Registration
Students register in advance and attend classes after school in the evening, as well as on weekends as needed. All levels of instruction are available in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Character, and Pointe. Young adults seeking an outlet for creative participation discover challenges and find rewards in our program. Experiences received here demonstrate how discipline can create personal inner strength. The physical conditioning and mental discipline involved in our program enriches students' lives and stays with them as adults.
For detailed registration information, please click on the Annual Registration Page link, located on the information bar on the right of the page. For tuition and fees, please click on the Tuition and Payment Schedule link, also located on the information bar on the right of the page.
PLEASE NOTE: VAB offers Summer Classes for children of all ages. For specific details and the Summer 2011 Registration form, please click here. These classes are highly recommended for new students, but are not required.
Dance Attire Requirements
As a classical dance academy, VAB requires all dancers to conform to our classical dress code. Boys wear a white t-shirt and black tights, for all classes. Black ballet flats with elastics are worn for ballet; for character, tap, and jazz classes, boys wear black oxford-style shoes unless otherwise specified by the instructor.
Girls are required to wear a black leotard and pink tights for all classes. Girls hair is to be worn up in a bun for all dance classes. For all ballet classes, girls wear pink ballet flats with elastics; for Ballet 5, Intermediate, and Advanced Ballet classes, girls are to sew ribbons on their pink ballet flats. Pointe shoes must have elastic and ribbons sewn on, as well. For character class, girls wear black character shoes and a knee length black character skirt . For tap and jazz classes, girls wear the shoes as specified by their instructor(s); for example, Advanced Tap students are to wear black oxford-style tap shoes.
Our VAB dress code is enforced for both girls and boys. All requirements are outlined in our Dress Requirements link and in the VAB Brochure. For specific shoe requirements, please go here.
Costumes and Dance Attire
As noted in the VAB Brochure, there are NO costume fees. Costumes are provided by VAB, where we maintain a wide array of costumes for a variety of performances. All dancers are responsible for purchasing all dance shoes, tights, leotards, and any other basic dance attire, as noted in each class by the instructor. For specific dress requirement details, please click on the Annual Registration Page link, located on the right of the page.
About Our Classes
Our instructors provide motivation to dancers to improve and advance while being sensitive to individual abilities and needs. Students gain confidence and satisfaction by being involved in activities appropriate to their developmental level.
At the Vostrikov's Academy, Ballet and Pointe are taught using the Vaganova method of Russian ballet. Russian Character is also taught by Mr. Vostrikov, drawing from his experience at the world-renowned Moiseyev Classical Ballet Company. Tap and Jazz classes are taught at all levels, from beginning to advanced.
Performance Opportunities at VAB
Each year, Vostrikov's Academy of Ballet performs Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, the only dance studio in the area presenting the traditional ballet. All dancers from Ballet I through Advanced Ballet take part in The Nutcracker. Our production is traditionally scheduled on the first weekend in December at James Wood High School. We schedule stage rehearsals in November, which are required for all performing dancers to attend. For the latest copy of the stage rehearsal schedule, please click the link on the right.
Every dance student, from beginning to advanced, has the opportunity to perform on stage in the Spring Performance at the end of the year. The children perform dance routines on stage that they have learned in their classes throughout the year.
A stage rehearsal is necessary for Spring Performance, and is a required rehearsal for all VAB students. It is especially important for the younger dancers, who may be on stage for the first time, so they become familiar with the environment, as well as learning essential backstage procedures. For the latest copy of the stage rehearsal schedule, please click the link on the information bar on the right of the page.
For more performance-related information, please see the VAB Informational Guide.