Russian Ballet in Colombo
‘Russian School of Ballet and Dancing’, one of the premier Ballet and Dancing Schools in the country held their annual graduation and certificate presentation to the students recently.
The Award Ceremony of the Examination in year 2019/2020, after the Global Pandemic situation, was held at the Russia House in Colombo. The qualified students were presented with Awards by Oxana Karnovich of the Moscow State Academy of Choreography.
Ballet is one of the main disciplines, Russian House in Colombo has to offer out of the vast cultural heritage of Russia. The Russian School of Ballet was founded two decades back under the patronage of Mikhail Ustinov – then Director of the Russian House in Colombo and Buddhapriya Ramanayaka – Chief executive officer with Mrs. Galina Pleshakova as the founding instructor.
The school was conceptualized and standardized by Chandi Aluvihare – Cultural Officer of the Russian House in 2001, starting its activities with just four little girls, all eager to learn and master the art of ballet. Currently, the School has over few hundred students learning classical ballet under the guidance of Galina Pleshakova,. Samantha Samararathne, Niluka Madurawala, Radisha Bodiyabadu, Lasni Subasinghe, along with and a group of Assistant teachers (Sadani Peiris, Kavishka Prematilake, Shenaalie Dias, Nisuri Edirisinghe, Samindi de Silva, Vichara Udawatte and Nethmi Wijewardena) who hold the distinction of being past students of the School.
Students of the School acquire and learn the principles of ballet and gain poise, confidence and grace along the way. The School is at present looking forward to expanding the classes in order to give more opportunities to the large number of students on the waiting list who aspire to learn ballet. Annual concerts are organized and held in grand style and are attended by a large number of proud parents, well-wishers and lovers of ballet. In keeping with its standards, the Russian School of Ballet arranges annual examinations which are conducted under the patronage of Oxana Karnovich of the Moscow State Academy of Choreography. Prior to the exams, students are encouraged to participate in workshops organized by Mrs. Karnovich to acquire more insight into the field of ballet.