Russian Masters Ballet Summer Intensive Comes to Perth January 2026

For the first time Russian Masters Ballet, the internationally renowned ballet course based on the methodology of the prestigious Vaganova Academy and licensed by the same, is coming to Australia. From 7 to 21 January 2026, Russian Masters Ballet is offering an intensive in Perth.

Founded in 2014 by the National Association of Professional Ballet, based in Spain, Russian Masters Ballet has completed a great number of intensive courses in various destinations. Thousands of students have had the opportunity to learn from prominent educators in cities such as Alicante, Spain; St. Petersburg, Russia; Istanbul, Turkey; Madrid, Spain; and Burgas, Bulgaria.

Excited about the new challenge, the director of Russian Masters Ballet (RMB), Asiya Lukmanova, states, “Australia has a very professional ballet scene. Our intensive offers students a chance to experience the Vaganova methodology without leaving their country.”

Russian Masters Ballet aims for excellence in training young students to become ballet professionals. For seven years, Russian Masters Ballet has been officially licensed by the Vaganova Academy to organize intensive courses all over the world. The Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg is famous for its teaching methodology, which was pioneered by Agrippina Vaganova at the beginning of the 20th century. The institution has trained numerous esteemed ballet stars in its classrooms. Among them are male artists such as Vaslav Nijinsky, Rudolf Nureyev, and Mikhail Baryshnikov; renowned choreographers like George Balanchine, Mikhail Fokine, and Yuri Grigorovich; and eminent prima ballerinas of the past century, including Anna Pavlova, Galina Ulanova, and Natalia Makarova, as well as more recent luminaries such as Ulyana Lopatkina, Svetlana Zakharova, and Diana Vishneva.

To provide the highest quality of teaching, Russian Masters Ballet offers classes in very small groups (up to 16 students). This approach ensures that personalized attention is provided, thereby maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of training time.

The Professional Program is the primary emphasis of RMB’s intensive in Perth, designed specifically for dance students aged 10 to 18. The two-week course includes classes of ballet, pointe/male technique, classical repertoire, character dance, gymnastics, contemporary dance, and performance preparation.

In addition to small group dance classes, personal counselling is available for each student, covering nutritional advice, open classes, participation in the final show, and a certificate of participation. To be admitted to the course, all applicants are required to fill out a registration form and pass an audition, which can be completed individually online or via video.

Ballet teachers have the option to attend ballet classes as observers through the Observation Program.

The highest quality education can be attained with exceptional instructors. Therefore, RMB teaching staff is comprised exclusively of Vaganova Academy graduates who have enjoyed distinguished careers in leading international companies and have taught at the highest levels. The faculty for the RMB Intensive in Perth will feature esteemed Vaganova Academy teachers Fethon Miozzi, Yulia Kasenkova, and Irina Badaeva (Classical Dance Department), Anastasia Vasilieva (Character Dance Department), RMB Director Asiya Lukmanova (Classical Dance Department), as well as RMB faculty members Anna Podlesnaya (Classical Dance Department) and Denis Untila (Contemporary Dance Department). To complete the offer, there will be guest teachers like Slava Tutukin (teacher, director, artist manager, and former principal dancer) and others to be confirmed. Additionally, in the nutrition area, we will have Veronika Markova, a nutritionist and soloist of the Mikhailovsky Theatre.

According to the director Asiya Lukmanova, the key to the international success of the Russian Masters Ballet program lies in, “Offering an intensive course at the highest level in all aspects, starting with the teaching faculty, and doing so in a healthy manner that promotes well-being rather than competitiveness, instilling values of unity, support, and enjoyment of the practice. In summary, the secret lies in conveying both the methodology and technique as well as the love for the art of ballet.”

Russian Masters Ballet, Perth edition will take place at Youth Ballet WA 7-21 January 2026. Contact au@russianmastersballet.com for information and registration.

Photo credit Russian Masters Ballet