Sergei Polunin Teaches His First Ballet Masterclass

Sergei Polunin is a Ukrainian ballet dancer. Famous for his “once every hundred years” talent, he has incredulous elevation and impeccable technique. From an early age, he displayed glorious dramatic range. Home videos of him as a tiny boy improvising to Pavarotti are very foretelling. At age 20, he became the Royal Ballet’s youngest ever principal dancer.
Ballet gained an unprecedented new awareness when he danced in Hozier’s viral video ”Take Me To Church.” People who never would have never paid any attention to ballet began to watch the tattooed phenom. He is generally attributed with bringing ballet to the modern common man. Classical, yet cutting edge, Sergei starred in Diesel’s “Make Love Not Walls” campaign and has put his mark on many other promotions.
Sergei is a much sought after model and actor. Fashion designers love his breathtaking physique and brooding good looks. He has garnered only positive reviews for his acting. His appearances include Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of the Orient Express, the biographical documentary Dancer, The White Crow, and Red Sparrow.
If you enjoyed this, please consider subscribing to my KZbin channel: / pamboehmesimon and "like" my playlist "Sergei Polunin, Graceful Beast" as well.
For additional videos and more, visit my fan site at sergeipoluning... or my blog at pamboehmesimon...
This is a ballet | балет iMovie by Pam Boehme Simon.
Thank you for watching.

[@victoriamarquezjimenez3487]

he's so down to earth, humble and shy. and at the same time so aware of his talent, but yet never arrogant or vain. such a beautiful man to see and admire

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

Yes! He is very quiet spoken and kind. The more I learn about him, the more amazing I find him.

[@bettina4374]

Victoria Márquez Jiménez My thoughts exactly! ❤️

[@melissatorrisi1]

Victoria Márquez Jiménez That’s Russian dancers, they are humble. They are never praised. They are only told “You’re ready to do this in public.”

[@jutube189]

1:54 trying to explain how he flies

[@manueitarin9467]

I like that he isn't arrogant as a ballet teacher.Contrary of that he treated that young girls as if they were his daughters.

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

Truly! He is so quiet spoken and kind to the students. Such a memory he gave those young dancers. What a story they'll be able to tell.

[@carolapizarro6083]

I agree, he is very cordial, he treats them like daughters ... but they do not see him as a father, no, no

[@hiko73]

He seems so shy & sweet, never arrogant just explaining, I adore him

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

Yes, he is an incredible teacher. Such caring and gentleness.

[@MsHantubelau]

@hiko73 I think he is just tired being awed upon because his remearkable physique and talent and he seems does not like spotlight despite that and thats whg he purposely botched up his own image

[@faiscacapoeira5]

I met him in Covent Garden. My son does ballet and was lucky enough, along with a group of other boys, to be invited to his private training session. He is absolutely lovely in real life too. Humble, thoughtful, quiet, reserved, polite, and impossibly talented. He radiates his oneness with his body in dance, and has the element of a slightly tortured artiste. He was extremely thoughtful to his fans. I absolutely adored him and despite meeting many famous celebrities through my work over the years, I have only ever felt the same awe with him and Carlos Acosta, albeit a different vibe. Absolute, unadulterated, raw talent. I salute you Sergei.

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

faiscacapoeira5 , How absolutely fantastic! What a great, great experience. I’m so jealous. That is a treasure your son will never forget. Thank you so much for sharing your story.

[@faiscacapoeira5]

@@PamBoehmeSimon It was! But he often trains at this studio when in London apparently :)

[@aquablushgirl]

He is ridiculously gorgeous. Everything about him is perfection.

[@SarandipityStudios]

How does he jump so high?!?! He barely built any momentum then suddenly he's in the air!

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

I know right??!! He's got crazy elevation... like a harrier jet he just takes off. Gravity means nothing to him.

[@emid5726]

He doesn’t jump. He flys.

[@suzannederringer1607]

He's just so impressive, always, in his simplicity and modesty. What's not to love?

[@kristak3285]

he teaches like an artist but his candidness makes him great in the classroom. He searches for the english words but he can show what he means!

[@briannakjax]

I love that your cover image is the peak of his insanely high leap! "You know kids, just jump like this." "Oh, sure. No big deal, Sergei." 😆

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

ikr?! I tried to catch it at the peak with that door frame in the picture so you could see that his head is way HIGHER than the freakin' door... and he's not even putting any effort into it looks like... just so nonchalantly steps into... oh, I dunno... a leap that would win an Olympic high jump medal (without looking all twisty and stupid) lol... I'm such a ballet snob. Nothing else comes close, and no one can touch Sergei.

[@bettina4374]

Pam Boehme Simon So true! He doesn't even put any effort into it. He can most likely jump even higher. It's crazy!!! And now he has to explain how it's done. 😂Good luck Sergei!

[@bettina4374]

I have just been thinking, it would have been awesome if they had shown the whole class. Is there a reason behind it that they show beginning and end only?

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

Not sure other than maybe some intellectual property issue... sometimes class choreography is as closely guarded as production choreo. Then, it may strictly be a time thing.

[@quolaperson6946]

what I would do for a ballet class taught by Sergei polonin 😂😂😂

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

Moi aussi!!!!! 🤗🍊⭐

[@theresag1969]

It would be memorable for the rest of my life.

[@sheeniebeanie2597]

i would run an entire marathon no breaks no walking no water in 90 degree farenheits weather

[@Chezzgirl69]

Wow! The Privilege of being tutored by the BEST in the WORLD 👌🙏❤️

[@raniadizikiriki8935]

This was a great class of a gentle kind teacher

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

YES! I is such a kind young man, you can tell by how he treats his students. I'm sure they all fell in love with his gentle nature.

[@melissatorrisi1]

If I was in his class I think I’d faint 😍

[@sarahdaniel9912]

aw he seems shy to teach

[@layspotatogays122]

basically me He's such a cinnamon roll

[@tinarider9945]

He is shy to see such fat dancers..the most part are too fat..but money is money..poor Serghey

[@sabalight6470]

@@tinarider9945 Didn't he have dance jobs in that time ?

[@silverkitty2503]

I think he isn't shy ..but his english isn't sufficient or he feels it isn't.

[@nadjamijatovic-sekicki8475]

He isn't shy, he's just not fake. He has no issues with his English either, he says profound stuff and doesn't care who thinks what. What a guy.

[@SergeiPoluninFans]

Wow, that jump of his. Always spectacular. Maybe he didn't realize how intimidating that was to the girls, lol 😉

[@LG-lb8qg]

Sergei Polunin Fans Well the girls don't seem intimidated at all, on the contrary they all look admired, smiling and very happy to have him there. It's the dream of every young dancer a masterclass like that!

[@tinarider9945]

Olympic❤ fly??

[@kristiLB93]

Oh Wow! He is very warm and encouraging with these students! I hope he keeps on teaching. He does seem a little shy or new is more the word to teaching, but I think if he continues he will give sooooooo much to the next generation of dancers!

[@MrQbenDanny]

GENIUS AT WORK The one student who LISTENS to what he is saying and is able to personalize it, is the student who will have a career in ballet. I think the class should have been all male, I can't think of anyone more inspiring to a boy wanting to be a ballet professional than the great POLUNIN. What stands out for me is the relaxed atmosphere he creates. Most students all over the world suffer from tension, general stiffness, and "Fussiness", watch ANY POLUNIN video on this channel and you will NEVER see fussiness whether in preparations for the steps or actually performing fussy choreography. If you haven't already PAM, I strongly recommend you have noted and on the record the personal Barre of POLUNIN as a gift for male students all over the world. He works CORRECTLY. For those who haven't seen PAM'S "WHITE TIGHTS" post, look closely at the definition of the turned out muscles, the alignment and mechanisms of a true authority in working ballet correctly. Ballet is serious business.

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

Thank you for a fantastic comment. What valuable insight! Please, please, please do continue to write, as it is immediately obvious that you have much to offer. One of the reasons I make videos of Sergei is to help him inspire as many young people/dancers as possible to follow their dreams... and to do so properly by pursuing a true and valid ballet education.

[@redshoesgirl]

those poor girls. he is walking through like god's gift and they are SO bedazzled. as well they should be. meh, who wants to plie when you can watch Sergei fly.

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

I know right??! **please Mr. Sergei, demonstrate again? I still do not understand.. I think I need to see it one (or twelve) more times** lol

[@inesdelahoya2045]

I really think the air in the studio breathes different when he is present...

[@carolapizarro6083]

I, in the situation of the girls, as a student, had literally drooled and would not have felt embarrassed for it, hahaha

[@emid5726]

Pam Boehme Simon Totally!!! Lol

[@kathys5176]

Dance-pain, don't dance-pain! The pain he endures! He is amazing and so talented. What a great lesson the girls were taught. He can definitely float in the air!

[@susannekvarngard2532]

I imagine to become a mega star so quickly as he has, is one of the most difficult thing you can go through. I admire him that he has grown so much mentally..Wonderful..

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

You are so right. We've all had to go through that awkward stage in life when we are finding ourselves, and exploring the world, however, we didn't all have to do it under a microscope as Sergei did. To come out on the other side into such brilliance and assuredness speaks volumes as to his character and heart.

[@pollyfoofoo8703]

Admirable to see such talent without ego

[@hannahkirchner1656]

He is incredibly beautiful to behold. He seems extremely well spoken. "Hello, my name is Sergei." Wonderful.

[@normamimosa5991]

Photography couldn't have been much worse. This class was very lucky to be given a master class by one of the best dancers in the world. Best because of his Russian fundamental training, no matter how much Royal Ballet enthusiasts like to take the credit.

[@YourMomma3012]

One girl said “woah” when he demonstrated the jump.

[@carolapizarro6083]

Dear Pam: think what I love most about this video is its non-verbal language, we've seen it several times with my students, to explain how there is a parallel speech to words, it's great

[@christinemason2938]

In that class they seemed to change from doubtful observers to grateful, adoring pupils 😊

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

Brilliantly said. You can watch that happen as he earns their trust and love by being kind, low-key, pleasant, professional, helpful, humble... all the things you dream a dance teacher would be.

[@mariaravizzini7997]

It is always a very precious moment and a privilege to watch a video of Sergei teaching! Wish I could see him live, albeit as a spectator! Sergei a great dancer and a great teacher! His words are very helpful to me in my life as an Irish dancing pupil and in my everyday life.

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

He is a gentle and caring teacher. The kind of teacher who is born, not made. What lucky, lucky students to have the chance to learn from him.

[@AdriBarr]

Thank you so much for posting. How fortunate these students are. It is a pleasure to see that they appreciate their time with Polunin.

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

You are most welcome, and thank YOU for watching and commenting so kindly. That is something those young dancers will always have to treasure, remember, and tell. So glad they were appreciative to him. He actually seemed a little bashful about giving his first masterclass. But, he was wonderful teacher!!

[@katharinas2590]

Очень красивый и трогательный!

[@sabij3518]

Oh... I love his face during the explanation.... Omg what a lovely human being...

[@carolapizarro6083]

My students are enjoy this video the last week. The no verbal language of Polunin and the girlas is so special

[@LG-lb8qg]

Thank you for this video

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

You are most welcome, and thank YOU for watching and commenting so kindly. That is something those children will always have to treasure and keep and remember and tell.

[@TamaraA_66]

Куча девушек,явно влюбленных в его творчество и не только. ..конечно застесняешься❤️

[@user-dm7sn9yj5d]

Красивый Сережа,смотрела бы вечно .как преподаватель ,смотрела бы две вечности.

[@jillianw2404]

I just can't get enough of him.

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

LOL don't I know it!! Welcome to the club.

[@jillianw2404]

Pam Boehme Simon, ugh! Sooo sexy. If you dont mind me saying, lol.❤

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

Don't mind a bit Jillian. At least he's getting old enough now it doesn't feel weird to think such things lol!!! When he was a teenager, one didn't know what to think/feel lol!!! Such a pretty, pretty boy he was, and now an absolutely stunning man.

[@jillianw2404]

Pam Boehme Simon , just gorgeous. I was in love with him from day one. Lol! Of course i am about 4 yrs older than he is, so its not so bad! 😉

[@yunsuuu]

I wish there was a full video of him doing class.. like they do these days on world ballet day

[@sevoleks]

2:54 my favourite face ever lmao

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

Lol ikr??!!

[@rachellucas9476]

That was precious!❤🤗

[@sonyawalker9212]

Sergei, I wish I could meet you. I'm passing from terminal brain cancer, a former ballerina. It was my life. Watching you is so comforting. Keep dancing, be free. Do it all for YOU.

[@mariereilly9024]

Where was this in LA, exactly? Westside Ballet in Santa Monica? I love that he did this. Nothing like seeing such an intense, passionate, and big-hearted dancer put smiles on those young dancers faces. Being of service always has a positive domino effect. I am smiling right now. V COOL!!!

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

YES Marie!! It was Westside Ballet! What a dream for those children, oh my. Being a member of his class will be a story they will never stop telling. How wonderful he is to share like he does. To give back and pass on. I am smiling right along with you.

[@strongself37]

Beautiful person and dancer. So much love for Sergei. 💜💜💜

[@TheYasminarf]

Even through a screen I can’t seem to focus let alone if I was in front of him 😅😅

[@user-um7im2cz3b]

Master class!!!!! I envy them ㅠㅠ

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

As do I! I am completely green. 💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

[@BalletmusicDK]

Great watch! Thank you for posting! That is some lucky and happy girls :)

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

You are most welcome, and thank YOU for watching and commenting so kindly. You are so right! That is something those children will always have to treasure and keep and remember and tell.

[@BalletmusicDK]

They will for sure :)

[@redshoesgirl]

he could have stood there reading the phone book and they would have been all smiles and shy girly-girls. i mean, the man was gorgeous.

[@normajidahmohamedlop5828]

Thank you for posting. If only lm way younger and could join his class, that would be awesome!

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

You are most welcome. Yes, I know those children will carry that experience throughout their lives like a treasure.

[@user-qz3ed6ny3l]

Гений! Ангел! Чудо!

[@staceytroffer8287]

I’d just be sitting there, chin in my hands, smiles on my face, dreamily watching his example moves...... “again, please? I didn’t get that last move.....”

[@liliana8548]

that woah @1:44 yea i felt that

[@henniekors2443]

Tonight 19 seot 2018 a dutch doku from his performance on "dancer op lowlands will be broadcast on dutch public tv and after that the doku "dancer". So my evening is with Sergei on Dutch tv. Greetings from Amsterdam.

[@irynasemenova853]

It's perfect.

[@oriel9347]

I like the way he looks at them "why dont you dance with your whole body"? "who taught you this shit"?

[@kaitlynyee38]

what I'd do to take a class with him

[@str4wberrymachine]

he jumps like a deer 😂❤

[@TungaroPlau]

He has a lovely tenderness here

[@anastasiapanteli4805]

What I'd do to have a master class with him!!! I'd die afterwards out of pure ovelwhelming excitement but I've accepted that lol.

[@MsHantubelau]

God he is beautiful

[@lubatiflides3374]

Angel

[@lindaoreilly5728]

Wow. Amazing. Whar a nice person..

[@beckyfouts2990]

Yes, teach by example! They will from you if you teach this way.

[@user-ec7mr1tz6g]

Hey! I saw this in my recommended and I'm amazed but I'm not really into this world, could someone tell me who he is? He is very talented, that's for sure!

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

I'd be happy to introduce you to Sergei Polunin. First, here is the video that went uber viral... kzbin.info/www/bejne/mV7XiGN5oNuXeqs ...and made him known outside ballet circles. Then, here is my website... sergeipoluningracefulbeast.com ...where you can find tons of articles, videos, pics, etc about him. And, lastly, his story from age four to principal dancer with the Royal Ballet is fascinating and is told in the bio pic, "Dancer." Here is a trailer to that movie... kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4nWgWB3drFgba8 Thank you so much for watching, and writing. Hope you'll continue to explore my Sergei videos. =)

[@yunsuuu]

I wish so much for a full video of this! At the end the girls sort of curtsyed? (sorry I'm not familiar with ballet that much-- is it a sort of révérence?) to him so sweet and cute. It's like they visited him in his ballet kingdom

[@ItSAaliya_onSCREEN]

Love love love

[@illiapenrosa5016]

I would for once love to live in LA maybe get me a lesson,or teach some how movement is really all about pmsl. #lovelightlaughter/moving my body embracing me beauty and grooving to some sweet tracks. Metaphorical dance off 😂😂😂

[@redshoesgirl]

poor sergei, trying to put into words what his body does naturally. awwww, the old sergei.

[@user-po1ou3iw8t]

美しくて、たまらん。空を飛ぶ妖精みたいだ❤

[@michellezeitlinmorezap6964]

My studio from my youth.. Westside Ballet Studio

[@adrianovaccone]

Only 2 men dancers??? I would be the third!

[@user-sn4nk2go5o]

💚

[@nomecognome4600]

Thx , Pam !

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

You are most welcome!

[@nomecognome4600]

Pam Boehme Simon ✨🌷

[@manasyoga]

Очень Хорошо/ Great beggINing Sergei! Далеко впереди ....високо ! есть любви

[@laura_ach]

Im so envious😂for sure i would have done my BEST in front of him

[@kirboy3471]

1:43 😱

[@katarzynamariamuszynska2811]

He has nice genuine smile I wonder if he is straight or gay no problem for me but most of male dancers are gays I am sure those girls were amazed by him

[@dorothychuang7872]

Katarzynamaria Muszynska Sergei and Natalia Osipova have been a couple since 2016. Just not sure if they are still a couple. I saw them performing together two years ago in NY, two absolutely amazing dancers.

[@mmmaria]

Katarzynamaria Muszynska he is straight

[@clairelondon7475]

Dorothy - Sergey performed on the stage in July 2020 in Belarus He came to Slavyansly Bazar Festival together with his wife Elena ( a figure skater) and a baby son Mir 😘😘😘🌹🌹🌹

[@clairelondon7475]

Katarzynamaria - Sergey performed on the stage in July 2020 in Belarus. He came to Slavyansly Bazar Festival together with his wife Elena ( a figure skater) and a baby son Mir 🌹🌹🌹💝💝

[@sylvanahernandez1264]

YESSS!!!!

[@ewasobiejewska1389]

Jesteś najlepszy

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

*mwah*

[@user-zf5hp7rn7t]

ТАКОЙ КЛЕВЫЙ УЧИТЕЛЬ ...С НИМ Б Я,САМА Б ССОГЛА СТАТЬ БАЛЛЕРИННКОЙ😂

[@theresag1969]

Sergei needs to stop using strings to lift him! Just kidding!

[@riyariya9645]

えっもう指導やってたの！？

[@SarandipityStudios]

Is this video an excerpt from a movie?

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

It was an extra tidbit that came when you bought the movie "Dancer" via iTunes when it first came out.

[@SarandipityStudios]

@@PamBoehmeSimon oh ok! Thanks so much for sharing it ❤❤

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

@@SarandipityStudios you are very welcome... I did so when I realized what a treasure they'd sent to the first few digital buyers, and when it appeared no more... I thought, "EVERYONE needs to see this lol!!"

[@downtown82]

I’m a ballet teacher and his preparation sucks.

[@downtown82]

Jane Mamn He didn’t prepare his class and didn’t think about corrections. He has such a hard time finding the right things to say to these students. That’s part of your preparation.

[@sabalight6470]

@Jane Mamn Yes, has never be a good talker (in my opinion it's not only a language issue, talking in public isn't "his thing". Some foreign dancers teach with a very dynamic and passionate voice to push the dancers, if they are children or professional dancers ) And it'y fine. He doesn't need to be a good talker to dance ! He can express him self with his body. So, he's not a so good teacher because of that (i saw recent videos with him as guest teacher, he didn't "improve" a lot.) But it's ok, i think he only teaches as honor guest from time to time and doesn't have the ambition or the passion to become an expert in teaching.

[@blueverdi]

The gruop were beginners and Sergei looked bored, in fact, this is a bored video. He is not be born to be a teacher, he is a dancer.

[@Esther_Grace]

Those certainly aren't beginning dancers. 😂

[@chevon1920]

He looked super nervous to me, and they look like teenagers who danced their whole life.

[@jayskeete-lee8492]

blueverdi it takes time and experience to teach and choreograph, he will learn and he looked engaged by the students.

[@sabalight6470]

@@jayskeete-lee8492 No, i think, he is a dream dancer, but not very gifted as teacher. Even with more experience. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXLIf3-JfdWsjbc Maybe he needs a teacher class ? He needs to be a little bit more sure and "dominant", fast and dynamic, not looking for english words... It is very nice to be kind as teacher, but as teacher, i think, you should be faster when you talk. (He isn't a very good talker as well and it's nice and ok. It's how hee is and it's fine !. First, in interviews and in those classes he gives, i thought, it's simply a language issue. But no, you can find teacher arond the world (in my own life as student and even in videos about the teacher of the Opera de Paris etc. ... teaching in langages, which aren't their mother language, and they talk very dynamic and passionate, in a wrong english or a wrong french, but passionate. My english is very, very bad, more bad than Sergei's english, but (i'm a primary teacher), i'm sure, i would be more dynamic. "AND one, AN two ... YEEEEESSSS !!! That was VERY good ! And ONE MORE TIME a little bir faster. Come closer ! Etc. Specially with kids but even with adults, who need to be pushed. In this first video it was the first time, and i think, he never though about, how to prepare his class and what to say etc. But you can see that even now, in the actual video, he didn't change a lot as a teacher. I think, he does it more as an honor guest teacher, from time to time, but even when ... AND he doesn't teach mirrored, in my opinion it's a mistake specially by such young children. You can see, they are a little bit lost because of that, and they have to concentrate all the time on which side they have to go, instead of concentrate about their legs, arms, postures and and feelings. It is recommended to show mirrored and when you turn in the other direction (back to the students) then show unmirrored. Every time. Those switchs are very easy for a dancer, and dance teacher are used to it. I don't uderstant why he doesn't do it (in the second video). The students teacher (the woman with red hair) has to show everything in the right direction for the poor childs. Strange to me. Well, a kind guy and divine dancer, but not ideal as a teacher, i think. Anyway, interesting to watch it all ! Thank you !

[@h.r7050]

God bless you, but a good dancer does not a good teacher make - it is a whole discipline - psychology, methodology, paedagodics, etc. You have to go to uni to train to be a ballet teacher.

[@silvanatriches6762]

L

[@iradelooze4532]

Мдя, лишний раз убеждаюсь, не всем выдающимся практикам дано быть отличными теоретиками. Танцуйте, Сергей, это у Вас получается лучше, чем учить.

[@O.o_really]

could he have been more bored?

[@PamBoehmeSimon]

I don't think he was bored... probably quite the opposite. He seemed shy and nervous. As a 35 year long dance studio owner, I still remember my first few classes... I probably looked just like that. You're trying not to look scared. You're trying to look calm and at ease. You're trying not to talk too fast (English is not even his first language, that could only make it more nerve-wracking in my book). I can see where all that may make him come across as bored. He states at the beginning it's his first time teaching, and that is rarely easy.... especially when every move you make and word you say is videoed lol.