Masterful dancing

Valley ballet students get in step with members of Russian troupe

Girls from four dance studios signed up for the class.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Ballet has a universal language.

Russian ballet master Lyudmila Maslennikova glided across the stage at Edward W. Powers Auditorium on Sunday evening encouraging, instructing and demonstrating. The 14 American girls who signed up for a “master class” with members of the State Ballet Theatre of Russia had no language barrier.

“In ballet, the dictionary of words is a universal vocabulary,” company director Olga Nepomnyashaya said through an interpreter. Gesturing to the stage, she said: “You can see the American dancers know what to do.”

Gretchen Kasler of Boardman watched from the darkened theater as her 12-year-old daughter Charis danced onstage, knowing what to do as the Russian ballet master spoke. Kasler said she recognized a few ballet terms — most are in French — but it sounded like Maslennikova was counting in Russian.

Charis has been taking lessons — ballet, modern jazz, tap — since she was 4. She dances with the Ballet Western Reserve.

“She is thrilled to dance with the Russian ballet,” Kasler said of her talented daughter. “Her goal is to dance, have her own studio — or do sports medicine.”

The girls came from four dance studios — Point West in Copley, Ohio; James Dance and Performing Arts Center in Warren; Walnut Lodge in Sharon, Pa.; and Ballet Western Reserve in Youngstown. To qualify for the experience, the dancers had to be intermediate to advanced ballet students.

“If people want a master class, we never refuse,” Nepomnyashaya said. The ballet company, she said, wants to share.

The 90-minute class preceded the Russian ballet’s performance of “Cinderella.” Participants for the specialized instruction paid $30.

Deanna Nycum, 14, of the James studio and Abby Myers, 15, of Walnut Lodge were among those who came in leotards and tights for the once-in-a-lifetime experience. Deanna said she’s in her 10th year of dance lessons; Abby’s been at it for 12 years.

One girl from Point West who tripped on steps and injured an ankle before the class began had to sit it out.

The students and professionals began by having a group photo taken. Then they started at the barre with warm-up exercises, much bending (pli ) and stretching of muscles.

Richard Dickinson, Ballet Western Reserve director, said it was a wonderful opportunity for the girls to interact with experienced dancers, to learn a different style of dance. “It might be a culture shock for some of these kids.”

With the warm-up over, the dancers moved to center work, including whirls and spins (pirouettes) and leaps. Flanked by fairy-tale scenery for “Cinderella,” the graceful dancers used the entire stage for their moves.

Maslennikova slapped her right hand on her left to keep time for the class. She moved with the fluid grace exhibited by skilled ballerinas.

The dancers’ high kicks made a soft sound as their ballet slippers swept across the floor. Elegant leaps ended with muffled thuds as taut bodies landed.

Kasler used a small camcorder to document the night for posterity.

“I think she’s doing pretty well,” she said, eyeing her preteen daughter. “I’m sure it has to be intimidating to be up there.”

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia, formed in 1961, has toured with productions of traditional Russian classics throughout France, Germany, Holland and Czechoslovakia, as well as in India and throughout Africa with engagements in Tunisia, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia.

The company’s home is the Voronezh State Theatre of Opera and Ballet. Voronezh is in the south of Central Russia, not far from Ukraine.