Steps Dance studio director Sofia Elizalde is a valued friend and supporter of Balletcenter Cebu. She fondly recalls the time of Balletcenter’s Nicolas Pacaña’s marvelous tricks and turns as an internationally recognized premiere dancer.
She recently collaborated with American Ballet Theater (ABT) studio company, the junior company of the famous American Ballet Theater that boasts talented dancers as young as 16, to tour around Asia. Sofia reached out to Balletcenter Cebu to invite their students to a master class conducted by ABT’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, school artistic director Stella Abrera-Radetsky and ABT studio company artistic director Sascha Radetsky.
What is so amazingly special is that Stella is the first Filipina promoted to principal dancer of ABT!
One Friday evening, with the entire Ayala Center Cebu viewing them, students of Balletcenter Cebu marched in wearing classic leotards and pink skirts. With their legs extended to the heavens, they turned and jumped effortlessly! Truly, dancers don’t need wings to fly!
Sofia then invited the dancers to watch the warm-up rehearsal of the ABT Studio Company in the morning, to prepare for their evening show. With dazzling eyes, Ayala Center gave the performers, ABT studio company and world-renowned Filipina chamber pianist Cecile Licad a deafening applause! The performance and the gala reception that followed at Seda Hotel hosted by Sofia had Balletcenter’s Gregory Aaron and Nicolas as special guests.
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To my knowledge, the Russian Vaganova Syllabus (ballet) has always remained in Russia, until now, when two professional dancers jetted into Cebu! Balletcenter warmly welcomed Olga Mikhailova and Oleg Ignatev, who have decided to spread the gift of dance and teach the Russian Vaganova Syllabus to countries in Asia.
Balletcenter has had the immense gift and rare opportunity to have three days of classes with Olga and Oleg. While the Center has taught a mix of different ballet syllabi, never was there a pure Vaganova class.
Students were influenced on how to “dance like a Russian.” After the giving of certificates to participants at dinner, students eagerly asked more questions, tips, etc. on how life was like in Russian academies.
Artistic director Gregory, proudly recounted artistic director Nicolas’ brilliant career during his prime. He famously danced with Russian superstars Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Barysh-Nikov and even had to substitute for the latter in “Don Quixote” with barely a four hour notice! Thus was born Nicolas’ nickname, “The Filipino Baryshnikov.” He was well known not only for technical prowess, but also for captivating the audience with his artistry.
This is really a great time for Cebuano dancers. Aaron continues: “In the 70 years that the school has been founded, it’s the first time American Ballet Theater and Russian Vaganova teachers come and give class.”
In closing, Balletcenter expresses its sincere gratitude to the ever-supportive business corporations and Balletcenter Cebu parents for their generous and unselfish contributions for the continuity of developing future Cebuano dancers.