Reviews of the master-classes (March 24-30, 2005)

I would like to thank everybody (especially, project coordinator –Olga Belenkis) for hospitality and excellent organization of the festival. My daughter Maria Vittoria and I spent a wonderful time and had an unforgettable experience, because the festival gave us a possibility to be taught by the outstanding teacher Lyubov Kunakova, and attend the class of admirable Alla Osipenko. My daughter did not want to come back home to Italy!

Carola Teti (Italy)

Seems that my life has come back to normal, but I will never be able to forget that experience that I had at the festival… I cannot describe what I felt in Saint-Petersburg … I cannot find the right words…It seems improbable that I have been there and performed at one of the most famous theaters of the city with such talented dancers. The organization of the festival was excellent to every detail. The organizers (especially, Olga) were ready to any possible change and addition in the participants’ program…it does not happen very often to feel such kind attention and ability to discuss and change.
The performances that we visited were great, and the classes by the maestro Gennady Selyutsky were simply unforgettable! I am incredibly happy that I had these thrilling moments in my life, and once again would like to thank everybody for the work they did.

Eliana Cerasaro (Italy)

Reviews of the master-classes (April 16-22, 2006)

It has been an incredible pleasure to have an opportunity to bring 6 students of mine from the Northwest Ballet Theatre to Saint- Petersburg to take part in your program. They got so much at this festival, and I was tremendously moved by the work of the coaches that gave master-classes. I also how warmly we were treated... Thank you for awarding me for choreographic achievements, I did not expect that, and it inspired my students a lot. I am going to bring more students to the festival in the future.
Thank you again!

My best wishes,
John Bishop, Artistic Director - Northwest Ballet Theatre (USA)

Reviews of the master-classes (April 18-24, 2003)

Dear Vasily, I would like to thank you for the wonderful experience that you, Katya and Andrey gave us. Due to right and detailed organization of the festival we got a lot of attention and love. Thank you.

Sincerely yours, Alida Pellegrini (Italy)

Dear Vasily, I am very glad that I got to know you and participated at the Master-classes of the Dance Open Festival in April 18-24.2003. Our stay in Saint-Petersburg was unforgettable due to the beauty of the city and excellent organization of the festival. I will recommend the festival to my friends and students. I hope to see you again,

Reviews of the master-classes (February 10-16, 2003)

Based on the reviews of all the parents, for my daughter Ann Dirham and other children the festival became a life-time experience. They did not have any problem or complain within the festival. Thank you for this surprising hospitality. I would love to share my experience with other groups who are planning their visit for April. And Iam thankful that every visa has an expiry date, otherwise my daughter would not want to come back home!

Helen Dirham, USA

Before my departure to the Dance Open I was often asked two questions: “Are 5 days enough to visit such a big city?” What benefit will this short stay bring”?
NO, 5 days are not enough for Saint-Petersburg, and I will come back there for sure to see and learn more!
YES, I learned a lot during my stay. The key word that pops up in my mind is INSPIRATION. Everybody who seriously takes ballet classes knows that a wonder won’t happen in a week. Of course, it is not possible that you come to Saint-Petersburg as a beginner and come back to your country as a professional dancer. But every ballet artist needs to be inspired, and this program will wrap you with this feeling! Staying in Saint-Petersburg where Petipa, Tchaikovsky, Fokin, Stravinsky and many other people who represent the ballet art of 19th and 20th centuries worked will undoubtedly becomes unforgettable for you. A couple of years ago this program would have been possibly realized with numerous problems and difficulties, but now you are getting it all perfectly arranged.
The organizers of the Festival let us have unforgettable impressions while visiting the sights of the city. There are no enough words to describe the beauty of the Hermitage and the sunset above the frozen Neva. So, don’t miss it!

Benjamin Zilaga (Switzerland)

The Dance Open Ballet Festival gave me that rare possibility to feel myself as a small part, a drop in that enormous ocean called DANCE; meet new friends from other parts of the planet who loves the same that I do; get inspired from working at everyday ballet classes and seeing performances at Saint-Petersburg Theaters, feel happiness and freedom while communicating through international ballet language.

Maria Kulikova, Estonia