Greenwich Ballet Academy Student Receives Scholarship to Study at Bolshoi Ballet Academy

GREENWICH, Conn. - Sept. 5, 2014 - PRLog -- The Greenwich Ballet Academy is pleased to announce that 16-year old Olivia Thurman completed her stay at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Russia. Through the New York-based Russian American Foundation (RAF) and the NSLI FOR YOUTH Program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Olivia spent six weeks at the renowned academy studying Russian language, culture and ballet.

“We are extremely proud of Olivia and all of her hard work,” said Yuri Vodolaga, Artistic Director, of the Greenwich Ballet Academy. “She has represented what we aspire to do at Greenwich Ballet Academy with poise and confidence, and her experience will help further her career in both ballet and academics.   I can’t believe how well she is now speaking Russian!  Olivia inspires our other students, and sharing her experiences with them will help them all in their journeys not only as dancers, but as applied young people.”

Fifteen young dancers were included in the six weeks of training in Moscow. Through the Russian American Foundation (RAF)’s Bolshoi Ballet Academy Summer Intensive program, the students participated in three weeks of intensive ballet training in New York City. After the Intensive Program, the students, including Olivia, traveled to Moscow to spend six weeks of training at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, while also studying the Russian language four hours a day, history, arts, and culture. The Bolshoi Ballet Academy has a 240-year history and is known as one of the oldest and most established schools for classical ballet training in the world. The Academy has produced numerous world-class dancers, teachers, and choreographers.

The NSLI-Y scholarship covers all cost aspects of the program including: domestic and international travel, tuition and academic preparation for the program, language testing, educational and cultural activities focused on language learning, orientation, meals, and accommodations during the program and travel. The initiative, which launched in 2006, seeks to spark a life-long interest in foreign languages and cultures, developing a corps of young Americans with the necessary skills to advance international dialogue in the private, academic or government sectors. Through participation, Olivia truly has become the face of future international communication between two of the world’s most politically and culturally important countries.

The Greenwich Ballet Academy, recently voted Fairfield and Westchester Counties' best ballet program by Serendipity Magazine, offers highly specialized training, emphasizing the Russian Vaganova method of instruction. The highly successful program gives students the ability to study classical ballet alongside recognized professionals. Several of its students have gone on to become successful professional dancers.

About Greenwich Ballet Company

Greenwich Ballet Academy is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) institution that nurtures talented dancers, ages 4-21, toward careers in classical ballet and contemporary dance with a unique emphasis on the Russian Vaganova method of instruction. GBA is the only school in the lower Fairfield and Westchester County area to offer this specialized type of training. The professional faculty also provide classes in modern and character dance, and contemporary ballet. GBA students have earned accolades at international ballet competitions and have joined professional ballet companies. For more information on performances and training, please visit the GBA website: www.greenwichballetacademy.org.