Vaganova
Ballet Academy
Vaganova Method Lesson System
VAGANOVA
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Who was Agrippina Vaganova?
Agrippina Vaganova (1879–1951) was a Russian ballerina, choreographer, and pedagogue. She was a student of the French ballet dancer and teacher Marius Petipa (then known as Le Premier Maître de Ballet) at the Imperial Ballet School in St. Petersburg, Russia. During this time, she gave significant performances at the Mariinsky Ballet Theatre in St. Petersburg, the theatre affiliated with the ballet school .
Vaganova's teaching career began in 1916, and in 1921 she returned to teaching at the Leningrad Choreography School. In 1931, she became the artistic director of the Leningrad Kirov Ballet (now known as the Mariinsky Ballet), a performing company associated with the school, and trained and directed renowned dancers such as Galina Ulanova, Olga Jordan, and Konstantin Sergeyev . Vaganova's choreography and teaching techniques were inspired by her own teacher Petipa, as well as by the meticulous Italian ballet master Enrico Cecchetti.
He documented his methods in a textbook , "The Basic Principles of Classical Ballet," published in 1934, which is still widely used today . He retired as artistic director in 1937, but continued teaching until his death in 1951.
What is the Vaganova Method?
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The Vaganova method is a classical ballet technique named after its creator, Russian ballet dancer, choreographer, and pedagogue Agrippina Vaganova .
In the early twentieth century, she refined this technique using the methods of her own teacher, the French ballet master Marius Petipa. Vaganova's teaching methods are closely associated with the Russian Imperial Ballet School in St. Petersburg ; this school was later renamed the Leningrad Choreography School and is known today as the Vaganova Russian Ballet Academy.
The Vaganova ballet training method blends the fundamental principles of Petipa's French ballet technique with the physically demanding pedagogy of the Italian Cecchetti method . The Vaganova training system dominates Russian ballet companies (not just the Vaganova Ballet Academy) and has also gained international recognition in institutions such as the American Ballet Theatre in New York .
VAGANOVA
Vaganova Ballet Academy Lesson System
01 - LITTLE BALLERINAS
3-5 Years Old • Beginner Level
They discover the joy of movement while gaining body awareness through rhythm, balance, and coordination. They take their first steps into the discipline of ballet in a joyful, playful, and loving environment.
Program Contents
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Rhythm and sense of music
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Balance and basic coordination
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Posture awareness
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Basic arm and leg exercises
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Creative movement and play-based activities
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Classroom organization and attention development
Lesson Duration: 45–60 minutes Schedule: 2 days a week
Level: Beginner Outfit: Pink ballet gown and ballet shoes
Acceptance: Age-appropriate group placement. Goal: A positive and enjoyable first introduction to ballet.
02 - BALLET BEGINNER
6-8 Years Old • Basic Level
Correct posture, fundamental ballet steps, and arm positions establish a solid technical foundation. Students are introduced to the basic principles of classical ballet training while developing musicality, coordination, and disciplined work habits.
Program Contents
Posture and basic positions
Preparation for barre studies
Basic ballet steps
Arm and body coordination
Musicality and rhythm
Simple ballet combinations
Lesson Duration: 45–60 minutes Schedule: 2 days a week
Level: Basic Outfit: Pink ballet gown and ballet shoes
Acceptance: Age and instructor assessment. Goal: To develop fundamental ballet technique.
03 — BALLET DEVELOPMENT
9-12 Years Old • Intermediate Level
At this level, where technical skills progress systematically, flexibility, strength, coordination, and movement quality are improved. Barre and center exercises strengthen students' technical foundation while supporting their musicality and artistic expression skills.
Program Contents
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Barre studies
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Center studies
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Flexibility and strength
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Preparing for the return
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Jumping exercises
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Musicality and technical development
Lesson Duration: 60–75 minutes Schedule: 2–3 days a week
Level: Intermediate Dress Code: Ballet gown and ballet shoes
Acceptance: Technical evaluation. Objective: To strengthen technical and artistic development.
04 — ADVANCED CLASSICAL BALLET
13+ Years • Advanced Level
A comprehensive training program for advanced students that delves deeper into classical ballet technique, with an emphasis on pointe, repertoire, and stage work.
Program Contents
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Advanced barre and center studies.
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Adagio and allegro
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Turn and forward combinations
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Repertoire studies
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Stage performance
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Artistic interpretation and discipline
Lesson Duration: 60–75 minutes Schedule: 3 or more days a week
Level: Advanced Dress Code: Ballet gown and appropriate level pointe shoes
Acceptance: Instructor and level assessment. Target: Preparation for advanced technical and professional levels.