School of Pennsylvania Ballet Welcomes New Co-Principals

Pennsylvania Ballet and Artistic Director Angel Corella are pleased to announce Anastasia Babayeva and Denis Gronostayskiy, co-founders of the Academy of International Ballet in Media, PA, have joined the School of Pennsylvania Ballet as Co-Principals for the 2016-2017 school year.

"We are excited to welcome Anastasia and Denis to the Pennsylvania Ballet family," said Artistic Director Angel Corella. "They have well-earned reputations in the dance community for providing the highest caliber of dance education. We are honored to have them join us and share their knowledge with our next generation of artists."

Anastasia Babayeva is a graduate of the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia. Over the span of her artistic career Ms. Babayeva has danced professionally with the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow; Chicago Ballet in Chicago, IL; Richmond Ballet in Richmond, VA; and the International Ballet Classique in Pennsylvania.

She has performed principal roles in classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Coppelia,The Nutcracker, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, and Sleeping Beauty. She has also performed Balanchine works including Apollo, Serenade, Who Cares?, and Agon, and works by renowned choreographers such as Kirk Peterson, John Butler, and Malcolm Burn.

After her performance career, Ms. Babayeva went on to become a ballet mistress and ballet teacher. She has been awarded with the Outstanding Teacher Award from the American Ballet Competition, Easton International Ballet Competition, and four times from Youth America Grand Prix. Her students have qualified and won medals in prestigious ballet competitions throughout the United States, and have gone on to dance in several professional companies including Pennsylvania Ballet.

Denis Gronostayskiy is also a graduate of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia. Mr. Gronostayskiy danced professionally throughout Europe, Japan, and the United States as a Principal Dancer with the Moscow Renaissance Ballet; The Richmond Ballet in Richmond, VA; Philadelphia Ballet Theatre; and International Ballet Classique.

During his career, Mr. Gronostayskiy had the honor of working with many renowned choreographers including Colin Connor, Vincente Nebrada, and Malcolm Burn, which fueled his passion for choreography. Mr. Gronostayskiy has since choreographed numerous full-length ballets including, Copellia, Giselle, Walpurgis Night, and Paquita as well as many other smaller ballets.

In 2000, Babayeva and Gronostayskiy founded the Academy of International Ballet in Media, PA to share their knowledge of the art form with over 140 students ranging from ages 3-18.

"Anastasia and Denis will work with the Students of Pennsylvania Ballet to provide them with the highest level of training. They bring fresh energy and ideas to the school and will begin by overseeing the school's auditions for the upcoming year," said Corella.

In addition to training students that show professional interest and potential, Babayeva and Gronostayskiy are working on expanding the School's reach through "Dance with Me" classes for children age 18 months to two years. These classes will allow young children to enjoy movement accompanied by an adult. In addition, Babayeva and Gronostayskiy will add a "Creative Movement" class for children ages three and up who are just beginning their dance training.

"This is an exciting opportunity for us as and we are honored that Pennsylvania Ballet chose us to lead the School," said Babayeva. "The School of Pennsylvania ballet is filled with immense talent and we look forward to working with the students this school year to help them achieve their goals."

Upcoming auditions for new students to the School of Pennsylvania Ballet will be held on August 3, 2016 at 5:00 pm and August 20, 2016 at 10:00 am.

Auditions will be held at the Pennsylvania Ballet Studios located at 323 North Broad Street in Philadelphia. Auditions are for students interested in the School Division, Pre-Professional Division, and Trainee Program of the School of Pennsylvania Ballet, ages 6 and up. No audition is required for students interested in the Children's Program.

More information and online registration can be found at www.paballet.org/classes-programs.

Founded in 1963 by Balanchine student and protégée Barbara Weisberger, Pennsylvania Ballet is one of the nation's leading ballet companies. Headquartered in Philadelphia, the Company's annual local season features six programs of classic favorites and new works, including the Philadelphia holiday tradition, George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™. For more information and new works, visit www.paballet.org, call 215.551.7000 or connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to go behind the scenes at any time.

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