Local ballerinas prep for international competition

It was an ordinary Saturday afternoon at the Academy of Russian Dance Arts at Vint Hill.

As classical music filled a small studio, a young ballerina in a pink top, black skirt, tights and ballet slippers leaped into the air, then landed softly, ending the routine.

When the last note faded away, the dancer stood in the middle of the floor, awaiting her teacher’s assessment.

“What can I say? It was not bad. It was not bad,” said Vadim Burciu. “[But] why are you afraid?” Don’t be afraid.”

With that Burciu, who had been watching the performance from a seat in front of a set of full-length mirrors, got up to demonstrate the proper techniques.

He wanted to see greater leg extension on one turn, exaggerated movement in another series of steps. “Make me feel something,” he implored his student as she began the routine again.

Speaking with a thick Russian accent, Burciu gave another student similar instructions when she took the floor.

“Your movements need to be bigger,” he said.

Next month, his students, Zoe Lewis, 14, and Monica Tirado also 14, will compete in a Youth America Grand Prix dance competition in Columbia, S.C.

Held at venues across the country and throughout the world, YAGP events are billed as “the largest student ballet scholarship competitions.” Each one is open to dancers ages 9 to 19.

To date, the organization has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to the leading dance schools worldwide.

According to information on YGAP’s website, more than 25,000 dancers worldwide have participated in YAGP’s international workshops, competitions, and audition classes over the past 12 seasons.

The organization says more than 200 dancers who have participated in its programs and competitions are now dancing with 50 companies around the world.

Burciu, who began dancing at age 9 in his native Moldova, expects a lot from his young charges.

“It will be a tough competition,” he said.

The desire to win alone won’t be enough to guarantee victory or even a good showing, according to Burciu. Each dancer must be disciplined, dedicated and driven to succeed, he said.

Those traits will also serve the girls well no matter what they choose to do in life, but they’ll be especially important should they wish to become professional dancers, Burciu said.

On a lighter note

Burciu and his partner, Monica Alonso, met while he was a dancer and she was a costume mistress at another ballet studio.

Together, they dream of having their own ballet company and hope that opening their own studio here last August will help them achieve that goal. They now offer classes for dances ages 4 and up.

“We have a little bit of everything,” Alonso said. “If we say our studio is only for serious dancers, then people become afraid. People can come for fun, and professional dancers can come, too.”

On Feb. 25, the academy will host auditions for its production of Snow White, Alonso said. Children and adults are welcome to try out for parts in the production, which will be held at Kettle Run High School May 12.

The Academy of Russian Dance Arts is located at 4260 Sigler Road in the Vint Hill complex. For more information about classes or how to try out for Snow White, call (571) 732-0050