Vaganova 2023 Reaction Video - Maria Koshkaryova, Sofya Valiullina. New Stars!

[@Pearlaceous]

Koshkaryova has been listed in the Mariinsky troupe as a trainee for over a year already! She has also been featured in a number of their Diverts evenings.

[@balletwithisabella]

Oh great!!! Yes I saw her do a few roles but wasn’t sure if it was set she was going there. Yay! 😍 she’s exciting.

[@igordubbphoto]

Официально подтверждено - Мария подписала сольный контракт с БТ )

[@momiamok-v4y]

​@@igordubbphotoа жаль, не дадут ей танцевать там нормально

[@pediatrapaola]

hallo louise l saw live twice maria here in my city was when vaganova teachers vadim sirotin and her female teachers were here for stages in two different years she and another girl and two guys were in stages from accademy to show the lessons and at the end of the stages to offer a theatre performances masha danced beautifully and is a true beauty in person.vadim sirotin also was guest for dinner many times in my home after lessons ,was in pre covid last years before 2020 .kiss enrico -

[@pediatrapaola]

in person maria is a true beauty l saw her dancing live twice here in my city in italy she was her teachers for stages @@balletwithisabella

[@naetag891]

my first impression when contrasting these exams with the old ones is that it almost seems like an internal competition for jobs rather than an exhibitionary, celebratory final school exam ; there is a real lack of coherence to the groups’ execution of the exercises. Naturally, some will always stand out due to varying technique/physique, but in the old exams there was the real quality of a corps de ballet which was quite unique to Vaganova. Now it seems as if they are all trying to maximise the amount of attention on themselves (not necessarily a bad thing when company directors are present and this is the best chance to stand out!) by making their auxiliary movements such as port de bras and leg height etc bolder and more ‘brash’ as you said but losing the pure, regal Vaganova technique. The epitome of this for me was the triple attitude pirouette from Maria- impressive at it is, she definitely compromised on her technique and quality of movement to complete it both times, resulting in a slightly frenetic ending and a gap in artistry when she executed these! I preferred some of the other girls’ doubles with a more fluid movement and controlled transition into arabesque. This isn’t a criticism of the girls- they are all exquisite technicians and incredibly strong, any company would be lucky to have them. This is a reflection on the evolution of graduates; this year the difference compared with previous years seems starker than before, and for the unshakeable, seemingly unchanging Vaganova Academy it is an unusual sight!

[@ursula868]

I am very concerned about Maria's throwaway technique. She constantly compromises correct placement to execute more turns or higher jumps etc. Her shoulders are often lifted, not aligned over her hips, nor held from the back. This is especially noticeable in her foutte turns en pointe, were her left shoulder is far behind her left hip. Even though I have already agreed these girls are 'strong', if you wanted to do a deep dive into the fundamentals, there are a lot of actual weaknesses. It all begins at barre with plies and tendues. Maria massively buckles her working knee when closing into fifth position devant from tendu. This is a crisis for a young dancer, essentially setting them up for injury and permanent instability. It's a subtle detail most people miss, but tendu is the basis of ballet movement - and this is 100% the responsibility of the teacher and the school. Her knee is not just soft on closing, it's literally bent. She has not been trained to activate the right muscles (core, back and butt) to allow the leg to close beneath her completely straight. This is a ballet fundamental. The result of bent legs is instability, as we see throughout her centre work and especially in her turns. As beautiful and talented as these dancers appear, there is zero benefit to practising movements incorrectly, you are training your body to compensate by using the wrong muscles every single day. This is why she appears so frenetic and untidy. Nothing is working correctly! I would be surprised if she hasn't already suffered injuries.

[@nilasspasov8417]

@@ursula868 Great observation, I agree with you completely ...

[@balletwithisabella]

@@ursula868 I think it will be mostly lack of connection with the inner thighs and wrap of th hips. I agree it’s hugely important and obviously needs work so she doesn’t get injured later.

[@КонстантинКубань-й1о]

Это так и есть. Этот внутренний экзамен, а не праздничный ,выпускной концерт. Он и снят камерой из-за спин первого ряда. Впереди сидит режиссёр Мариинки - Фатеев и бывшие примы Мариинки - Диана Вишнëва и Маргарита Кулик.

[@kamilla.ballet]

! Update on Maria and Sofya ! Both are going to Bolshoi and both were offered a place as “soloists”

[@balletwithisabella]

This doesn’t surprise me at all!! Especially Maria - she looks Bolshoi!

[@Livelifestepbystep]

Where did you get this information from?

[@kamilla.ballet]

@@Livelifestepbystep I study at vba and everyone is talking about it

[@Livelifestepbystep]

@@kamilla.ballet ahhh I see thanks for the update :) !

[@kateh7500]

@@kamilla.ballet wow!! Congrats to both❤️and thanks for telling us! Do you know where Angelina Karamesheva is going? (I love her!!)

[@graceargo6015]

I think the teachers and students have a great deal to be proud of, here. Even if Maria and Sofya do stand out from the group a bit, the quality is more consistent across the board than in previous years. They are all dynamic and exciting dancers. Thanks for sharing!

[@simonaperez1475]

Я пересмотрела выпускной Захаровой… действительно, царственная медитация урока пропала. Он стал таким, что я смотрю только на двух девочек, которые ошеломляют и не вижу других. Мне жаль

[@КонстантинКубань-й1о]

100% это так. Девочки с задней линии уступают в качестве Валлиулиной и Кокаревой, но они на голову выше выпускников любой школы мира.

[@anaicotrim9557]

I prefer the old classical approach to ballet in general. For some moments I had the peculiar feeling of watching athletes with no time either for body expression or dance. In some exercises along the exam Sofya tried to introduce some softness by slowing down and got a little bit "late" trying. I wish these girls all the best, but I am afraid most of them will be worn out in a short period of time. What a pity for so much effort and dedication.

[@redamancy119]

I agree with you on the old approach part! I can’t tell the explicit difference between the old methods and recent ones, but i found myself enjoying performances of ballet dancers trained with “old” method a lot more. I love their distinctive character, details, musicality, perfectly clean movements and just the aura in general. I also heard that “flow-y” and extending arms were an obvious characteristic of Vaganova students, that’s why I enjoyed watching their performance! (Hopefully I’m not wrong haha)

[@mariannedippenaar8488]

Y said maria and sophia h different tecniques. Please tell me or show me more about that. Im not so clued up

[@evie9239]

I find some of the higher ranked students try and extend their time en pointe or in extension to show more control and the ability to 'catch up' stylishly. I think sometimes it pays off, other times I agree she looks late.

[@СветСвет-ы5п]

Brilliant notes! Ballet is not a sport. We lost magic of the dance.

[@Cusudama]

I saw Sofia in the annual graduation ballet of the Vagananova’s Academy last year. She was amazing Raimonda ❤❤❤

[@yunsuuu]

Thank you for explaining the exams and the style change! Also Kovaleva looks like such a passionate teacher, i would like to meet her ... I loved the interview she did for La Personne magazine. I still think back to quotes like "Teasing out a student’s individuality - even a deeply hidden one - is extremely important to me. Achieving the ultimate revelation of the individual is very interesting. How can it not be?" And "I would not suffer despondency and sloppiness, although sloppiness can be dealt with. Dejection, on the other hand, is a terrible thing. As is a lack of faith in the teacher or oneself. One must always have faith!"

[@balletwithisabella]

She’s a wonderful women and a wonderful teacher! ❤

[@jenh4516]

Maria K. is very exciting! She's strong, assured, and supple. Sofya is very clean and keeps it simple. Different styles, but this is what makes ballet fun - to watch different dancers express themselves. As far as the rest, super strong. I would think hard to stand out when you've got stars in the making.

[@sharonreeve7509]

Maria Koshkaryova is lovely. Her extensions are effortless and her arms, head, and upper body are gorgeous!

[@Vale-kg3vd]

I like that the dancers look healthy, still lean and long but not sick thin

[@janiakowska]

Fantastic girls

[@Pearlaceous]

Update on Koshkaryova is that, despite being a trainee at Mariinsky for a year, I read that she has now decided to go to Bolshoi.

[@Lapidu18]

Seriously? What a new.. I don't know if I'm happy or not..

[@Pearlaceous]

@@Lapidu18 I wish she’d gone to MT personally.

[@PaulinaValenzuelaMunoz]

Yes! And Sofia is also going to the Bolshoi.

[@jewelmarkess]

@@Pearlaceous We don't know what MT offered. Bolshoi offered a soloist contract as I've read.

[@anikaxmeisel]

So excited for this! It looks like an outstanding class! Just saw that Maria and Sofya are both going to be at Bolshoi!

[@RikodiusRex]

Vaganova is so beautiful. 😍

[@mona-mo3sd]

i absolutely love ur exam reaction videos!! just watching them alone is meserising but u breaking it down makes me appreciate them more. would love to see u react to maria khoreva's exam too!

[@nathalieenys]

Yes, I love how she puts in the classic steps from lead roles just sprinkled in so casually! In regard to the Tsiskaridze situation I do agree that the kind of ‘purity’ has changed. The first Vaganova exam I watched properly was the Khoreva year so I watched the Vishneva, Zakharova, Smirnova, (you!) etc exams afterwards and wondered about the difference. The newer exams always make me go “wow!” whereas in previous years I think I was more mesmerised by them. They seem to be technically stronger in a lot of ways and confident looking but that quieter, regal kind of quality is missing. They are stunning to watch, but it does feel very different to me. I’ve also wondered about the girls at the back, I wonder who my eyes would go to without Koshkaryova and Valiullina there. Best wishes to all! Thanks for giving your thoughts :)

[@balletwithisabella]

Yes I have very similar thoughts! Thank you for sharing! x

[@Vik-chic]

@nathalieenys inserting well-known steps from classical ballets into exam combinations is an old Vaganova tradition. Actually teachers start to do that years before the graduation.

[@TheGoldenSkill]

your commentary is impeccable & looking stunning as always! 😘

[@tikitania]

I’d love to get an analysis of one of the older exams. Maybe with Novikova & Obratzova!

[@jamescooper7330]

Wow so different even compared to recent graduation classes such as 2018. Alina Somova, Novikova and Tkachenko's period will always have something so special with that regal pure vaganova opulent quality that lacks slightly now.

[@alicia_naraiah]

Maria was already accepted into the company after her YAGP performance, she's so amazing

[@vanessasmer-barreto8604]

I also prefer the previous style from when Altynai was the Vaganova director. However, part of me wonders if episodes such as this, where for a time the Vaganova school is under the influence of someone like Nikolai, who is pushing the limits of technique further, is necessary for the general progress of the art form. To put an example, I was reading the other day in the Petipa society website that the famous fish dives from the wedding pdd in Sleeping beauty weren't originally in Petipa's choreography but were added later on by another person. At the time, some dancers thought of them as a "circus trick", even refused to do them. Yet, now we generally accept them as a standard part of this dance, and they excite many of us, we do not imagine this pdd without them. Perhaps some of the steps in this video will be perfected by future generations, who will learn them from the current dancers, who would have studied and analysed the movements so much that they will be able to explain them very well as teachers. Having said that, it makes me sad that the dancers look so tired at points, I don't think they should be pushed like this. Obviously they have to work very hard but it would be healthier in my opinion, to give them the chance to arrive to the exam in good form, comfortable with what they are doing rather than exhausted.

[@denisemew4185]

Definitely prefer the older style exam classes after watching for many years classes of the vaganova school the technique is second to none..I just worry with this new approach there may be burnout and will miss that beautiful style of this amazing school the girls are just beautiful inspiring ...let's not loose that amazing tradition of a amazing ballet academy 👏

[@avesraggiana]

That was, and remains, the hallmark of both NYCB and the School of American Ballet - doing the whole ballet class in pointe shoes. It's been that way with them for years, since the days of Balanchine himself.

[@gcmgcm4238]

To be able to do both clean and refined, and bold and fast, are aspects to master. Rather than type casting, therefor limiting or boxing the potential surprises a dancer can be inspired to try.

[@redamancy119]

I personally liked the old style a lot more, b/c i feel like the new ways of training ebbs away the pureness and the specialty of Vaganova. I’m worried the old and precious traditional way of training will eventually be lost. Obviously the students are still super strong and talented, but does not seem to me it’s in a ‘Vaganova’ way.

[@КонстантинКубань-й1о]

Есть такой риск... Мы тоже этого боимся. Пока есть Кулик, Ковалëва и Цискаридзе, есть и прежний классический стиль. А вот когда на их место прийдут Хоревы и Сомовы, то классический, русский балет исчезнет как явление.

[@isabelaandzico]

I was just waiting for a random left turn as an homage to Vaganova herself and Diana et Acteon female variation. I loved listening to all the ballet musical pieces.🩰👏🏻

[@Ihmekummatossu]

It would be interesting to hear your commenta about the Kasenkova’s graduating class as well (Yaroslavna Kuprina, Angelina Karamesheva, Pinja Rissanen etc.).

[@normamimosa5991]

I think Nikolay Tsiskaridze's boys exams are amazing. He has proved himself to be an incredible choreographer, in my view. Maybe he'll focus on that talent one day. Standing ovations, just for his exams! How they have warmed to him since the very cool reception when he first arrived at the academy.

[@pediatrapaola]

hi norma how are you? enrico

[@normamimosa5991]

@@pediatrapaola Wow! Long time no hear! Hope all is well with you!

[@pediatrapaola]

l am fine but l must give to you a very bad new mr alex stetson (russianballetvidos /ketinoa before that so much did for us all balletlovers ) passed away last february bright memory he was a ballet hero @@normamimosa5991

[@pediatrapaola]

did you se my message about the poor mr stetson /russianballetvideos ? as told he passed away

[@normamimosa5991]

@@pediatrapaola I didn't see your message. In fact, a couple of times I have asked what had happened to him. I thought that maybe the Mariinsky had been successful in shutting him down. As you know, I disagreed with some of his comments. On the other hand, I very much appreciated his enormous contribution to ballet and his amazing sources and videos (think he got those through his mother). Sorry to hear that he passed away. I have missed him. I never knew his real name or his background, other than I guessed he was American. Thank you, for this sad information.

[@daryador3847]

I agree on the point that there are certainly favorites because all of them seem exceptional and capable of doing the combinations equally.... so it is a matter of perspective... beautiful dancers all around! Thank you for this video.

[@yunsuuu]

How does the academy choose which students goes to which teacher? Are there certain teachers that take the more favoured students?

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

Good question!

[@luigiheinemeneghim9234]

The girl who fell, would she pass the exam? what would make someone not pass the final exam?

[@balletwithisabella]

By this point everyone will pass!! It doesn’t matter that she fell. It’s a live show things happen and they know that.

[@ireshadangolla4794]

Hi isabella ! I'm a dancer in TBSC ballet school in junior ballet .im coming to meet you on 21of may i'm so exited to see you in person .see you soon 🎉❤

[@balletwithisabella]

Yay!! Can’t wait to meet you ❤

[@ImogenC-rt3fm]

Have a sacrilege confession to make. NOT a trained dancer but a horse trainer who uses the example of the “morning barre/company class” to structure the physical development of a horse. BUT, pointe shoes actually help a person understand a horse’s gaits. So I bought a pair (yup, in person, lied to the fitter…I’m NOT a good example) and learned to stand on pointe in order to better gauge what I was asking of my horses. Cured my LOWER BACK PAIN permanently. Not a recommendation, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. But hells bells, IT WORKED!

[@Fleur_de_Rosé]

Your secret's safe with me-- I won't tell a SOUL!!🤐🤫😄 Curious if you had previous injury or just general lower back pain?? Did your Dr. have an explanation for this improvement? Very clever, btw!! That particular ballet posture must hold the muscles properly??🩰🤔

[@engagedfig7144]

Thank you so much for the video! Very very interesting. Hmmm actually I'm not sure if the style has become 'bolder' than before and the dancing a little less clean... because I just went back and dug up some older videos on the internet - technically they seem to always have been pretty bold when they can (eg Novikova going for an all-doubles diagonale with a music tempo that is pretty fast), and many of the older grand adagio combinations still seem pretty complicated to my eyes (they have always wowed me). Tsiskaridze's own male classes, however, from that very first class he led (with the men wearing a red band on their ankles) have been visibly very ambitious, more so than the female classes we've been seeing in my opinion. With the women, I wonder if they look a little less clean in part because the videos nowadays are also of much higher resolution than those from the start of the century - when I look closely, I can see there are quite a few things here and there on Zakharova or Tereshkina that one could say are not the cleanest, eg lifted shoulder or hip or hopping on the supporting leg, etc. Anyhow, technique has certainly advanced through the past two decades, and let's all look forward to seeing these young women grow into beautiful ballerinas on stage, whichever theatre they end up at! Totally agree with you that Maria is technically impeccable, and Sofya indeed has a very special (Vaganova-style) charm!

[@engagedfig7144]

Also just want to add I don't think I've seen the full class from either of the graduating classes this year yet, so perhaps it's a bit too early to make broad definitive judgements. To certain critiques of Maria's technique in the comment section - I don't believe that she can possibly execute such difficult movements in such perfect (perfectly turned out) positions, if she is not working properly/'correctly''.

[@ursula868]

@@engagedfig7144 It is hard to believe when you are not a trained ballet pedagogue. The critiques are of the school, not the dancer. She can't train herself.

[@engagedfig7144]

@@ursula868 What is hard to believe?

[@ursula868]

​​​​​@@engagedfig7144 you said you don't believe she can possibly execute such steps if she is working incorrectly. I completely understand why you don't believe it. It took me years to grasp where turnout and stability truly come from, and what to look for when recognizing correct placement versus incorrect placement. If you haven't been trained in pedagogy, you most likely won't see it. Incorrect placement is very common place in ballet. It doesn't mean the dancer isn't capable, beautiful or talented. It means at a fundamental level, he or she is not working the right group of muscles (usually turnout muscles deep inside the hips) that create stability and allow a dancer complete control. In Russia especially, dancers are selected on hyper mobility and slender aesthetic. Hyper mobility creates an illusion of 'perfect turnout' as you commented. But pause the video on her positions leading into her jumps from 7:40 - 7:45 and you'll see that her 5th position is completely gone. Not only are her feet far apart, but her knees are completely parrallel and her hips are sticking out behind her. This position does not exist in ballet, but here she is doing it. Maybe you think I'm being unfair because no dancer hits perfect 5th positions all the time - of course not. But this incorrect placement was easily predicted from watching her tendu at the barre with a bent leg. Everything wrong at the barre will be 10 times worse in the centre. She has no stability on a fundamental level, in the muscles where she truly needs it. I know that sounds absurd, because she isn't falling over and when she hits the 'important' positions, everything looks great. So what am I talking about when I say 'unstable'? The plie is the most important position of all. It establishes everything a dancer must do with their bodies in centre work, point, allegro, pas de deux etc. She hasn't yet mastered her plie (hence the very turned in, parrallell knees), and therefore she cannot master anything that comes after. Her technique looks impeccable to your eye, and several years ago, it would have looked impeccable to mine too. Once you understand though, you can never unsee it. It's been happening in Russia for years now, I think it has been largely an American influence. Dancers of several decades ago in Russia were much, much stronger in correct placement.

[@engagedfig7144]

@@ursula868 Right, now that you point it out, at 7:40-7:45 it is indeed very obvious and scary to watch. Sofya actually has the same thing going on esp in the preparation to her bigger jumps too. I reckon many of the girls are also not landing their heels in their plies due to the same sort of issues. With the tendus at barre - I am guessing that is something they are taught to do in order to hit the appearance of 'perfect fifth' positions, because I've been taught by Russian-trained teachers exactly to 'give' a little with the front knee in the past. The question I'd still raise is I'm not sure how new all of this is at Vaganova - because I remember very clearly even around 10 years ago, I was already wondering why many of the girls shown in exam videos with the most pristine turnout at first or second grade seemed to go on to 'lose' quite a bit of that as they progressed into the higher grades. My theory, which originated from what certain teachers would say to myself when I was a student, was that they were likely encouraged to prioritise completing more difficult steps than 'obsessing' with maintaining perfect quality in everything done. I don't know if you'd agree with such an observation or might have alternative theories for the causes of such phenomena. Anyhow, I think you are right that these girls have amazing physical facility, and it's unfortunate for such a school to allow them to develop such technical (and physical) weaknesses. Perhaps after all the tricks on stage do sell more tickets than the less easily visible technical correctness...

[@yunsuuu]

What does the x shape in front of the uniform mean? Also the exercises look like theres more going on(?) a bit busier than before!

[@simonaperez1475]

Сказать я в шоке- ничего не сказать!!! Какие дрстижения!! Ничего подобного не видела со времен Светланы Захаровой, хотя стиль урока изменился.. Надеюсь, божественную Кочкареву перехватит Большой! Ее талант по рангу Большого!

[@PetsWithFurryPaws]

Hi Isabella thanks for this video! Was rewatching some of your earlier vaganova walkthroughs, is there any way we can find the Korean girl Kyon Chan? Would love to see what her dancing looks like now!

[@shaodowofmidnight]

I'm more of a casual ballet fan so I can't comment much on their dancing styles. But looking at dancers at both Marinsky and Bolshoi, it seems like Marinsky, in recent years, is favouring dancers with a slimer, lithe body type (e.g. Maria khoreva, May Nagahisa and more). So based on this, I doubt Sofya will be best suited for Marinsky, especially if she enters and Maria (who is almost certain to be offered a place, since she is already favoured and in traineeship) is also entering, Sofya will be playing 2nd fiddle to Maria. Sofya might have better career if she goes to Bolshoi/ other ballet companies.

[@seaofglass77]

Love you analysis, wish I had the time to do it myself, and the knowledge, but I'd love many many more videos examining all the exam videos you can find. Interested to hear your thoughts on the year the Vaganova school put Marley floors down. How did that change how they moved?

[@balletwithisabella]

it actually changed the year I went! I think people were happy but the exam room is pretty slippery or it was especially when new. But we have lovely ladies mopping the floors every morning

[@brendastevens9077]

I Loved your exam better!!! I hope they keep things the same.😊❤

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

What does it mean if a dancer or choreo is "more technical?" Is there a video example of two dancers performing the same variation in which one is "more technical" than the other, and explain why? Or explain why one variation is "more technical" than a different variation? It sounds like something that is less technical would be easier to master. Is that correct? Or does it just depend on the strengths of the individual dancer? Apologies if these are dumb questions! Thank you in advance for any responses! 😍 Thank you very much for the video! I always enjoy watching the dancers and hearing your commentary is helpful. Have a great week! 🙏🌺🩰

[@normamimosa5991]

More technical means more perfect execution of the steps, which results in such beautiful lines in ballet. In a variation one dancer may land in a perfect fifth, or have great turnout compared to another dancer. One variation may be more technical, either because it is being performed with better technique, or because the variation itself incorporates more difficult technique. Less technical is always easier - not good for ballet. Strength is definitely a component, because good technique is much more difficult and requires greater strength. Great technique is beautiful. Much of the expression in ballet is within technique and body movement - Swan Lake is a great example. Technique comes first, then artistry. In ballet, great artistry is not possible without great technique.

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

@@normamimosa5991 thank you very, very much for replying and providing such a thorough answer! I really appreciate it! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! 🙏💜💐

[@normamimosa5991]

@@dronesclubhighjinks You too. We need to take time out to watch beautiful things in our troubled world. Ballet is my passion.

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

@@normamimosa5991 🙏🙌🩰🐰🥕🐣💕

[@matina_angel]

Imo I prefer the older exams. The allegro exercises were more elaborate, and the dancers could work with their technique in a much more detailed manner because they didn't wear pointe shoes. The Vaganova method is very clear to that, it distinguishes between allegro exercises and pointe exercises, and there is a reason to that. Now, I think it is wrong what they are doing, and I am afraid it will have a cost to the health of the dancers' bodies. I think that they did that change in order to comply with the West's standards, but shouldn't it be the opposite? Russia has been producing the best dancers worldwide for ages, strong dancers, why change that in favor of fake "progress"? In the West (especially in America) the rate of injuries is at a very high level, I fear this will start to happen too in Russia.

[@ursula868]

It's been happening in Russia already for years. Technique has been deteriorating and now dancers are facing the consequences.

[@Fleur_de_Rosé]

I agree with you and it's such a shame. One thing that the West was unequivocally always able to enviously appreciate was the extremely high Russian standards in ballet, gymnastics, ice skating. They should hold onto that!! It's great for competition too~ as that Russian commitment to excellence inspired those elsewhere who were also extremely ambitious~ to up their game!!

[@ursula868]

There's a bit of fluidity and refinement missing. I don't know if it's because we didn't see all the content from the exam, but everything seems fast and hasty. I would say Maria and Sofya definitely do draw the eye, regardless of where they stand. I always watch all the dancers, including the girls in the back. One of the girls in the back drew my eye for the wrong reason, she had very flat hands and stiff port de bras, which I thought was odd for a Vaganova graduate. Even Maria has some stiffness in her arms at times, but Sofya seems to have the most control there. Honestly, overall I would say none of the girls have the effortlessness of a ballet superstar. When you watch Vishneva in her Vaganova days, watching her dance was like watching her breath. None of the girls look like they are enjoying themselves, but I'll attribute that to concentration, immense pressure and stress! Edit to add sorry if I sound overly critical! I'm not trying to criticize the girls as much as the school, which stands as an institution with a great responsibility to uphold tradition and purity of style. The young dancers here look strained and, as you said, a bit messy. I don't see poetry of motion, which is what I'm interested in as an audience member. And the reason I bring that up is because it's a gradual decline I've been noticing over the past few decades. Tsiskaridze was a very unusual choice because of course he trained in Moscow. I can also see the Bolshoi influence, but it's great that the girls do more of the exam on pointe.

[@balletwithisabella]

Love your comments! Thank you. It’s good to discuss!! There’s definitely a difference. A lot has changed, down to the uniform and it will see how it stands the test of time but I think what this influence does is being out their bravery to push beyond what they thought they could, maybe there’s a slightly loss of purity but it’s hard to determine right now 😅

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

I'm not a dancer, and I appreciate your comment, as it was very descriptive. I did not think you were criticizing the girls disrespectfully. It's helpful for me to read descriptions, such as you have provided, so that I learn to distinguish good from excellent. 🌸🙏

[@ursula868]

@@balletwithisabella thank you! Rereading my comment now, I realize I made several typos, whoops. Early morning brain! After watching and commenting, I actually revisited some videos of your exam, Isabella! There was definitely an effortless quality to your dancing, and other girls in your class. I would say there was more lyricism and breath in the movement than the 2023 graduates possess. Agree they are very strong though. Any time I criticize the students, it is really a critique of the training. I am an absolute sucker for the old school and I loved the traditional black leotards, never been a fan of the brown. But that's really neither here nor there obviously haha. I am very much missing the exquisite port de bras and expressive backs though. It's really interesting what you say about the bravery. Do you feel that is something that you would have appreciated as a student, being pushed in that way? From all your previous descriptions of your time there, it sounded like you couldn't possibly push any harder! I guess my only worry is that bringing too much of the Bolshoi to Vaganova, doesn't leave Vaganova anywhere to go. I remember when Tsiskaridze was given that position over Altynai, it was a very odd time. I always thought Lopatkina would have been the perfect and natural successor. That would have been creatively very different.

[@aeea8318]

I think I don't know yet well enough the topic for having an actual opinion about your question, but it's very interesting to think about it 🤔

[@normamimosa5991]

As far as I understand, Maria was already at the Mariinsky when she did her final exam!

[@momiamok-v4y]

Maria is a really loks like future star. Hope they let her dance enough

[@comic_life_86]

The classical approach also is letting someone new try what works and imprint their approach

[@AnnieTrvn]

Could you please do a Reaktion to Maria khorevas exam?😍😍 i would love to hear your opinion on that

[@KaroliinaK-l9m]

How about the other graduating class of 2023? :)

[@treehouse2902]

Think of ballet moves during Maya's times then and now. There is a natural expected evolution with a degree of difficulty and bolder moves. These new kids are athletes first and foremost, and they are not afraid to incorporate bolder moves techniques into any move. It's hard to compare yesterday's Odile/Odette to the new yet old variations. I think it's exciting.

[@aaaaisling]

What is the name for the jump at 10:37 ?

[@LiviusTheGenius]

Italian Pas de chat

[@suem6004]

I think showing how they perform on pointe is important for the judges or recruiters. I like the 'uniform'. I like integrating ballet section into the patterns. Agree, much more dynamic but will that translate on stage? I agree that the girls in the back were strong. Very grueling exam.

[@madeleines]

Maybe its because I know where they end up, but with Sofya, I prefer her at the Bolshoi because she would do well at the Mariinsky, but she would look stifled by the traditions. Bolshoi pushes her to do more and she needs that. I think Maria would have been perfect for the Mariinsky because she is just a beautiful dancer and has those classical lines and intonations in her movements. With Mariinsky training she could be like Lopatkina. She will also be gorgeous at Bolshoi however.

[@nicoled8547]

Do they learn the combinations prior to the exams? Or is it taught between takes? It seems like they’ve done this quite a few times :D

[@Julie-hq8rs]

They are all beautiful dancers. Is Sophia in the middle at 8.17?

[@Livelifestepbystep]

Yep

[@nilurose8722]

what is the music at 16:30?

[@white.swan.]

It's the coda from Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux

[@עמיבןיוסף-ת5י]

Amazing video, can you do one about the boys please?

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

I was going to ask about this as well!

[@balletwithisabella]

Ok!! If you help me find a link 😍

[@georginareid3828]

Is not Maria already a trainee at the Marinsky ? I remember seeing her in a video of a competition she did and at the end it said she would be beginning as a trainee at the Marinsky even though she had not graduated ..

[@Ihmekummatossu]

Yes she is.

[@kaykomckayface1097]

I envy the big and flat forefeet. Who else has the uneven forefeet problem? 😢 The ball under my big toe is significantly larger than the rest, if I dare to put a little weight even on my third toe, I'd loose balance...and pirouettes are the struggles... Always get blisters under the ball of my big toe. Recently I have put a little flat padding under the balls from under the 3rd toe to little toe, it helps so so much... But is it OK? Or is it cheating? 😅

[@hortencianascimento4584]

Endereço de HORTÊNCIA DO NASCIMENTO - Volney Anderson e Vagner Lucas de Aracajú -SE. RUA 45 40 número 44 Conj MF II próximo a Praça e Rua 13 do Conjunto

[@janeecaputo]

The students are amazing athletes and exquisite examples of what human bodies can push themselves to do. However, when things go into the "trick" phase, do we lose the artistry of the true essence of the ballet? When does it become pure athleticism and we forget artistry? I love the athleticism of these dancers, but Art can move me to tears.

[@mariexu3434]

The discussion is interesting, but I think it is not time to have this kind of conversation yet, given that Maria and Sofya are still students at VBA and still have a month until graduation. This is very different from the previous videos on exams as people in those videos were graduated for some years. Those comments would not affect them that much. Whereas the discussion from this video is too close to the present and those comments could make actual impacts (and might negatively influence them).

[@balletwithisabella]

Thanks for your feedback. I underhand your concern but think this is a positive video really! In no way critical to a negative degree as I think they’re all amazing ❤ and really I think these girls are going to have so much choice and a wonderful career!

[@Vale-kg3vd]

I find Maria' s upperbody not very straight, she tends to lean on the side

[@hortencianascimento4584]

Endereço de Gleide DO NASCIMENTO RUA 18 número 288 - Conjunto JK enfrente ao Conjunto Sol Nascente subindo ao Ponto de Ônibus e Descendo ... - próximo - ao DETRAN e Seresta do Conjunto Sol Nascente na Praça em Aracajú-Sergipe - Brasil

[@hortencianascimento4584]

Endereço: Paulo Roberto Do Nascimento Rua 5 do Conjunto João Alves - Siri expandindo Aracajú -SE., na Esquina do Conjunto - próximo ao Depósito de Bebida ... E material de construção, da Av Principal - João Alves

[@А-у1ъ2я]

Конечно, именно в нашей Вагановской Академии лучше всего учат настоящему классическому танцу, в той традиции, перед которой преклоняется весь мир.❤

[@РифмовыйГеймер-ш8х]

Русская школа балета по-прежнему лучшая Russian ballet school is still the best

[@stellajohnson-vives7055]

Why are attitude turns so low. Leg in attitude is less than 90 degrees. ???

[@divab63]

I always thought the pirouettes in flat shoes involved so much hopping around to complete turns. Personally I love the fact so much more is done in pointe shoes. But I have to say I was trained in Balanchine style and we wore our pointe shoes from plies to reverance. Personally I prefer this to the old ways but I am also one of the few on your channel (I believe) who think too many of the Russian dancers are cookie cutter “do it this way or else”. I prefer Marienela Nunez, Tyler Peck and Skylar Brandt. Just a personal preference.

[@kerrytakashi12]

I'm not impressed with with the dancers graduating from the big Russian schools recently. They have pushed body standards to such an extreme that these dancers don't dance. They just pose really impressively. You can see it in this video. All of them rushing to the next ending pose no continuous movement thread. Such a shame, the Russian dancers used to be the best at giving the whole package.

[@ellina9816]

Those “favorite graduates” nowadays just have either rich parents or a rich sugar daddy. That’s why those 2 are promoted. They are obviously more talented ballerinas in the background. Jaden Grimm is one of the best, yet she disappeared. Guess why? -Cause the audience liked her, so they had to press her out. To give the road to those broilers. Especially when Tzitskatidze is there. He is not allowed to decide a thing. People with money and power who order him unofficially do. Thats why we have such primas as Sevenard and Khoreva. Come on… Russian ballet is no longer what it used to be.

[@stellajohnson-vives7055]

Technique is good but beautiful artistic adagios are gone. Did not see artistry demonstrated.

[@Maisiewuppp]

Clones.

[@dinarauradulova3371]

But they are not stars yet! They are very talented. I hope they will become stars one day.