Vaganova Teacher Training Course

Duration: 10 weeks (1.5h weekly starting 3 October – no session on 5 December, last session on 12 December)
Day & Time: Fridays at 11.30 – 1.00pm
Venue: Valley Point
Course Price: $600.00

A comprehensive introduction to teaching ballet using the Vaganova method.

This course is designed for both teachers and aspiring students who wish to understand why the Vaganova method is effective, and how to apply its principles in teaching. By the end of the 10-week course, participants will have both the theoretical understanding and practical skills to nurture students with solid ballet foundation.

What the Vaganova Teacher Training Course by Ballet Classique offers:

1. The Vaganova Method: Why the method is considered one of the most effective teaching systems for classical ballet.

History and philosophy

• • Understanding Agrippina Vaganova’s principles and classical ballet approach.

Key principles:

• • Coordination of the whole body.
  • Expressiveness through arms, épaulement, and musicality.
  • Strength and flexibility developed progressively.
  • Harmony between movement and music.

Stages of student development: How to teach students according to age and physical development.

• • Physical readiness and safe progression.
  • Psychological and emotional development in young dancers.
  • Tailoring expectations and exercises by age group.

Learning Outcome: Participants will understand the core philosophy of the method and why it remains effective across cultures and generations.

2. Teaching Techniques in the Vaganova System

Class Structure & Progression

• • How to organize a full ballet class efficiently: barre, center, adagio, allegro, and jumps.
  • Sequencing exercises to build strength, coordination, and artistry.

Corrections & Adjustments

• • Necessity for discipline and precision, learning to spot common errors in posture, alignment, and turnout.
  • Strict attention to detail is essential so that ballet retains its purity, clarity, and beauty, never allowing for complacency or incomplete execution.
  • Methods for giving safe, constructive corrections.

Demonstration Skills

• • How to demonstrate clearly and correctly Vaganova movements for different ages and ability levels.

Use of Music

• • How to integrate different rhythms and time signatures into ballet exercises to cultivate students’ sense of musicality and phrasing.
  • Phrasing and musical interpretation.

Learning Outcome: Participants will acquire practical strategies for structuring classes, giving effective corrections, and fostering students’ musicality and technique. Most importantly, they will develop a clear understanding of how Vaganova movements are correctly executed, enabling them to demonstrate with precision, teach with confidence, and identify incorrect execution in their students.

3. Adapting Vaganova for Children in Singapore

Teach smarter, not faster.

• • Adjust class structure and content when students only attend a limited number of classes each week (e.g. twice instead of daily).
  • Focus on the most important skills and exercises that build strong technique, ensuring that every exercise has maximum impact on student development within limited time.

Age-appropriate pacing

• • Adjusting workload and complexity to match Singaporean students’ busy schedules and multiple activities.
  • Balancing discipline with encouragement to sustain motivation.

Focus on Fundamentals

• • Emphasizing posture, core strength, coordination, and musical awareness.
  • Ensuring a strong technical base before advancing to complex variations or pointe work.

Learning Outcome: Participants will learn how to adapt the Vaganova system realistically to local contexts, ensuring students still receive strong, effective training even with limited training hours.

4. Coaching Variations and Performance Preparation

Variation Coaching

• • How to teach and refine classical variations for performance and competition, with emphasis on both technical precision and artistic interpretation. Teachers must also have an understanding of the ballet and the context in which each variation was created, ensuring they can convey its style, character, and historical background to their students.

Competition readiness

• • Preparing kids for competitions in a healthy and efficient way, balancing technique, stamina, and artistry.

Preserving fundamentals

• • Keeping the most important elements of classical ballet for young children while introducing performance skills.

5. Observation & Evaluation

Vaganova Class Observation

• • Participants observe live children’s classes taught in the Vaganova method.

Discussion

• • Review common challenges (e.g. weak core, collapsed posture, lack of musicality).
  • Problem-solving with Vaganova-based solutions.

Final Assessment
The course concludes with a brief oral test where participants answer questions to demonstrate their understanding of class structure, Vaganova movements, corrections, and teaching approach.

Learning Outcome: Participants will be able to confidently apply Vaganova principles in their own teaching practice.

Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate recognizing their training in the Vaganova Teacher Training Course with Ballet Classique and a Vaganova-certified instructor, Mr Ilya Shcherbakov.

This course will only be offered once! Secure your spot here. 

Terms & Conditions:

● A one-time non-refundable registration fee is payable for students joining us for the first time.
● The Vaganova Teacher Training Course is not refundable and not transferable under any circumstances.
● Strictly no refund and pro-rating of course sessions under any circumstances, unless an official medical certificate is provided stating the student is to refrain from physical activity or dance classes.
● Ballet Classique reserves the right to amend all terms and conditions without prior notice.