Dance School in the Philadelphia PA area

Academy of International Ballet:
The Academy of International Ballet, located in the borough of Media in Delaware County PA, 12 miles west of Philadelphia, provides the finest ballet and dance training in the tri-state area. Classes are offered in Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, Advanced and Intermediate Ballet, Character, Jazz, and Modern Dance. Classes are available to all age groups, from toddler to adults, and from beginner through to professional level.

The Academy is the official school of International Ballet Classique (IBC), the first and only ballet company in Delaware County. Students at the Academy of International Ballet are invited to perform with IBC and are given the opportunity to work and perform with professional dancers. We are here to increase the educational and enjoyment level of students and produce exceptional quality performances in dance. Our school inspires students to achieve their highest individual potential through training and development in the art of classical ballet and dance.

Our advanced students have received top awards at international competitions, received dance scholarships to universities, and have gone on to work with other professional companies. Our youngest students are introduced to proper technique in a nurturing environment that develops their love of dance in a format that stresses fun, posture, body positions, and playground movements that become dance steps.

The school is under the direction of Master Instructor Denis Gronostayskiy, joined by Ballet Mistress, Anastasia Babayeva. Both are graduates of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Moscow, Russia, esteemed as the finest in ballet training throughout the world and known to produce many of the strongest and most talented dancers. Both have danced professionally and taught master classes throughout Europe, Japan, and the United States.

Students have the unique opportunity to study the Vaganova syllabus, as taught at the Bolshoi. The Vaganova method is a solid dance curriculum systemized by Agrippina Vaganova, one of the most important dance teachers of the twentieth century. Vaganova’s system of teaching spread throughout the former Soviet Union and, eventually, throughout the world when her book, Basic Principles of Classical Dance, became the curriculum of master teachers in England, Germany, France, America, Spain, and the Netherlands.

This strong technical foundation of classical ballet not only creates the ballet artist but also gives a student of jazz, modern or hip-hop the greatest opportunity for success. Our jazz, modern, and hip-hop instructors have studied under some of the finest instructors in their field and continue to dance professionally.

Lower Division Ballet Classes include:
- Creative Movement: Ages 3-4
- Pre-Ballet: Age 5
- Ballet 1: All ages

Upper Division Ballet Classes for all ages include:
- Ballet 2
- Ballet 3
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- Open Class for all levels
- Company (IBC) / Competition Rehearsal
- Contemporary Choreography
- Home School Classes

* Private classes are also available

Why Choose Us?
- The quality and diversity of our faculty.
- The scope and excellence of our curriculum.
- A state of the art facility at a convenient location.
- A competitive and affordable pricing structure.
- The Academy is the official school of International Ballet Classique offering performance opportunity.

* Consistent attendance is required to master curriculum at each level. Missed classes should be made up at a level below the student’s current level. Make-up forms are found on the bookshelf in the lobby. Forms should be completed and given to the class instructor.

* Students must be punctual to class. No student will be allowed to participate after the first ten minutes of class. The student will be asked to observe the class and complete an observation form which can be found in the bottom drawer of the file cabinet in the lobby.

* Injured dancers are encouraged to come observe class and complete an observation form so they are familiar with the curriculum, combinations and corrections being taught when they return to class.

* Absences should be called in or emailed to the academy.

Performance:
All Academy students are invited to perform in International Ballet Classique productions. Additional performance opportunities are available to the Upper Division throughout the year.