Teacher Training Program

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Teacher Training Program – Russian Classical Ballet with Victoria Rockhill Schneider

In conjunction with the 11th USA International Ballet Competition, June 10 – 23, 2018, Victoria Rockhill Schneider leads the Russian Ballet Teachers Seminar – a program focusing on the teaching of The School of Russian Classical Dance. This noted program provides an in-depth analysis of the basics of technical achievements at the barre, in the centre, allegro and pointe work, as well as the implementation of the early development of artistry.

In its early years, this program was developed by the late Jurgen Schneider, former Ballet Master and Company Teacher for American Ballet Theatre and the late Janina Ciunovas, former faculty member of the Australian Ballet School. Together, they compiled their information from their studies as teachers, at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, GITIS, under Nikolai Tarasov and at the Vaganova Academy, under Alexander Pushkin.

In 1987, Mrs. Schneider began 6 years of study of The School of Russian Classical Dance with both Mr. Schneider and Ms. Ciunovas. In 1993 Mrs. Schneider was accepted to the methodology course at the famed Vaganova Academy under the artistic director, Igor Belsky and the director of methodology, Margarita Zagorskaya. She completed the two-year course for international teachers, where she studied with Valentina Vasilievna Rumyanseva. Mrs. Schneider has been certified as a teacher of the Vaganova Program from the Vaganova Academy. She is the only natural born American to hold this certification.

Mrs. Schneider has the benefit of her studies with her late husband, Jurgen Schneider and the late Janina Ciunovas, as well as from her studies in St. Petersburg, to provide a unique and important perspective on the teaching of The School of Russian Classical Dance. Along with her 23 years of experience teaching at the HARID Conservatory, she is able to offer this all important thorough breakdown of the 1st year of study. This is not an overview, rather it is an in-depth breakdown of the “hows” and “whys” of the teaching of this all important methodology.

The Teacher Training Program will be held in four-hour afternoon sessions, Monday-Friday for two weeks during the USA IBC. Participants may also observe competitor class and dance school classes in the mornings. Additionally, Teacher Training Program participants will have observation access to Alexei Ratmansky’s lecture demonstrations and Joffrey master classes.

INSTRUCTOR

Victoria Rockhill Schneider

Victoria Schneider began her studies of classical ballet with Fred Danieli at the School of the Garden State Ballet in Newark, New jersey. She danced professionally with the Garden State Ballet as a soloist, performing the Balanchine repertoire before pursuing her interest in the study of the teaching of classical dance as a member of the faculty of the School of the Pennsylvania Ballet under Lupe Serrano, Barbara Weisberger and Benjamin Harkarvy. Mrs. Schneider then accepted the position of principal teacher at La Scuola di Danza Classica in Prato, Italy.

Together with Martin Fredmann, former artistic director of the Tampa/Colorado Ballet she established The School of the Tampa Ballet and served as ballet mistress of Tampa/Colorado Ballet. Here she began her eight year journey into the study of the teaching of Russian Classical Dance with her late husband, former ballet master and company teacher of American Ballet Theatre, Jurgen Schneider and his partner in The Russian Ballet Teacher Seminar, Janina Cunova, former soloist with the Ballet Russe di Basil and faculty member of The Australian Ballet School.

Mrs. Schneider was invited to participate in the two-year methodology program for International Teachers at the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1993 under the tutelage Valentina Vaslievna Rumyanseva. She is the only native born American certified to teach this esteemed methodology. Since returning to the United States in 1995, she has been a member of the faculty of The HARID Conservatory. Her students have won major awards in numerous ballet competitions and can be found as members of major ballet companies in the United States and abroad. She has directed The Russian Ballet Teachers Seminar teaching the methodology of Russian Classical Dance to teachers internationally and nationally, specializing in lower level work since the death of her late husband, Jurgen Schneider.

Mrs. Schneider remains active as a guest teacher internationally and nationally. She serves as a member of the jury of Japan Grand Prix IBC, Taiwan Grand Prix IBC and YAGP.

REGISTRATION

Space is limited. Participants will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

Participants must be at least 18 years of age by June 10, 2018 and attend the full two-week training program.

Photo Requirement:

Headshot

Payment:

Deposit Only: $100 (non-refundable)

Participants have the option to pay in full at the time of registration.

TUITION

Premium Package – $1,700 includes

$100.00 Deposit
Tuition
USA IBC Ticket Package (Orchestra Section: evening and weekend performances – excludes Encore)
Observation pass:
- Alexei Ratmansky Petipa lecture-demo
- Joffrey master class
- Morning competitor class (Round I & II)
- Dance School classes

Standard Package – $1,300 includes

$100.00 Deposit
Tuition
Observation Pass:
- Alexei Ratmansky Petipa lecture-demo
- Joffrey master class
- Morning competitor class (Round I & II)
- Dance School classes

INFORMATION

Teacher Training Facility

The Teacher Training Program will be held at the Ballet Mississippi studio in the Mississippi Arts Center, Monday-Friday, 1:00-5:00pm.

201 E Pascagoula Street, Suite 106, Jackson, MS

Housing

The Westin Jackson is the official hotel of the USA International Ballet Competition.

The International Village stretches from the Westin Jackson to the Jackson Convention Complex. The Westin Jackson is adjacent to Thalia Mara Hall, where all USA IBC performances are held, and a half block from the MS Arts Center, where the Teacher Training Program is located. Additionally the Russell C. Davis Planetarium (location of the Lecture & Film Series) and the Jackson Convention Complex (site of the competitor classes, and Entergy Grand Prix Ball) are both a block from the Westin Jackson.

Book Room Here!

Timeline – Application and Payments

A one-week option for the Teacher Training Program is not available.

Two Payment Options:

Deposit now and pay remainder later: Pay $100 deposit at registration – remaining $1,200 or $1,600 tuition due by June 2, 2018
Full Payment at Registration: Submit full $1,300 (standard package) or $1,700 (premium package) tuition payment at registration
(this amount includes the deposit)

Lecture and Class Observation

The Teacher Training Program includes observation of competitor morning class (Round I & II), Dance School classes, master classes, and the Alexei Ratmansky lecture-demonstrations.

Performances

The Premium Package includes tickets in the orchestra section of Thalia Mara Hall to all evening and weekend USA International Ballet Competition performances (excluding the Encore Gala). Individual tickets go on sale March 19, 2018.

Travel Details

Teacher Training Program participants have access to the USA IBC Shuttle route.

Transportation from the Jackson-Evers International Airport is not provided.

COMPLETE TUITION PAYMENT

Registration: $100 deposit (non-refundable) due April 23, 2018 (payment made within online registration)

Final Payment Due: remaining $1,200 or $1,600 received by June 2, 2018 (pay below)

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