The Radford University Department of Dance Ballet Youth Program (RUBY) provides serious high-quality ballet training to aspiring young dancers in the community. It also provides its students with unique performance opportunities through its direct association with the Radford University Ballet Theatre.

The curriculum of the RU Ballet Youth Program is based on the syllabus of the world-renowned Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. This training is celebrated for producing dancers with the perfect combination of physical strength and grace. It has produced such luminaries in the dance world as Rudolph Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gorge Balanchine, and Natalia Makarova.

The RUBY Program is co-directed by Radford University ballet faculty Inessa Plekhanova and Galina Vorotynova. This Spring-2007 semester, Aleksey Plekhanov will join the RUBY principal faculty.  He will teach the Intermediate/Advanced ballet class which will include pointe technique. These highly qualified professionals are all graduates of the Vaganova Ballet Academy. One of the most important aspects of this youth program is its close affiliation with Radford University Department of Dance. These students have ample opportunity to perform in RU Ballet Theatre productions including The Nutcracker and An Evening of Ballet.

For information please contact the program administrator Margaret Devaney via email: dnce-byp@radford.edu or by telephone at (540) 831-5162.

Registration/Placement  

RUBY’s Fall Semester 2007 starts on Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Important Dates:

Registration Day: August 25, 2007, 10am to noon in the Trinkle Hall Lounge

All Tuition and Fees due on Registration Day

September 4 to December 3, 2007 (fall semester)
January 28 to April 25, 2008 (spring semester)
April 26 – Annual RUBY Showcase

Break Dates:
Week of November 19th (Thanksgiving Break)
Week of March 10th (Spring Break)

Schedule of Classes (Fall 2007/Spring 2008)

Creative Dance (Pre-Ballet) I (ages 3-4) Monday from 5:00-6:00 p.m. in RU Trinkle Hall Dance Studio
Faculty: Marina Mellas; Teaching Assistant: TBA

Creative Dance (Pre-Ballet) II (ages 5-6) Monday from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in RU Trinkle Hall Dance Studio
Faculty: Marina Mellas; Teaching Assistant: TBA

Ballet R (ages 7-11) Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30-6:00 p.m. in RU Trinkle Hall Dance Studio
Faculty: Galina Vorotynova

Ballet U (ages 12-14), Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in RU Trinkle Hall Dance Studio
Faculty: Galina Vorotynova

Ballet B (Intermediate/Advanced; placement based on level of preparation) Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3:30-5:30 p.m. (with Pointe) in RU Peters Hall B113
Faculty: Aleksey Plekhanov

Program Costs and Fees

Pre-Ballet - $90/one semester
Ballet R and U - $230/one semester
Ballet B - $380/one semester
Registration Fee: $10

REGISTRATION/PLACEMENT/AUDITION

There will be open enrollment through the academic year unless class enrollment maximums are met. Children must be at least 3 years old to enroll. Students are placed in Pre-Ballet I, Pre-Ballet II, and level R based on age without audition. However, placement in levels U and B will be based on age and level of preparation. The Audition for levels U and B is required, held by appointment and is open to students age 12 and up. For more information regarding enrollment, audition, and class schedules, please call the Program Office at: 540.831.5606 or Program Administrator Margaret Devaney at (540) 831-5162.

Please note: Enrollment is open year-round.

DRESS AND HAIR REGULATIONS

Female students are required to have their hair pulled back in a bun whenever length allows, and are required to wear pink ballet tights and pink ballet shoes with a solid, dark-colored leotard.

Male students are required to wear black tights, black ballet shoes and white T-shirt without design, OR black tights, white crew socks, white ballet shoes and white T-shirt.