School of Classical Ballet
in Verona, NJ
Classical Vaganova Ballet Technique Competitions Coaching
Ballet Pointe Character Dance Ballroom for Adults & Kids
Adult Ballet and Stretch classes Wedding choreography

School of Classical Ballet will present "The Nutcracker"
December 16 and 17, 2024, at 6:30 pm
at Memorial Auditorium, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave., Montclair, NJ 07043.

"The Nutcracker"
tickets are on sale now: vbs.booktix.com

27th season: School opens Sept. 12, 2024 / closes May 24, 2025

  • No parents at the school during the classes.
    Please, remove your shoes downstairs.
    Please, always turn off your cell phone, or switch it to vibrate during class.
  • Students who take toe must take a minimum of three classes weekly - one toe, and two ballet classes.
  • We expect students to be on time. Classes start promptly. Please call if your child will be absent from class, and to schedule a make up class.
  • Uniform:
    • Girls: Black leotard, pink tights and pink ballet slippers. Hair must be neatly arranged in a bun.
    • Boys: Black tights, white tee shirt, black ballet slippers and athletic support.
Faculty
School of Classical Ballet, located in Verona, NJ, was founded in 1997 by Alissa Kossov.
Our faculty members are professional dancers, but most importantly highly qualified teachers, eager to share their knowledge and experiences with students. This makes for a truly well-rounded experience for the children, where learning and growth is not only the goal but the inevitable outcome.
Alissa Kossov: Artistic Director and Choreographer
Alissa Kossov Alissa Kossov was born and raised in Russia. From a very early age she has been involved with the world of professional ballet. A graduate of the famous Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Alissa received some of the best training that the Russian ballet school has to offer.

Alissa is a founder of School of Classical Ballet, artistic director and choreographer. She successfully created several full ballet productions, such as "The Nutcracker", "Snow Queen", "Around the World", "Gala", "Paquita", and others.
Alissa Kossov
Marina Bogdanova: Ballet Teacher
Marina Bogdanova
We are thrilled to welcome Russian ballerina Ms. Marina Bogdanova to VBS.

Ms. Bogdanova's classical ballet repertoire included the title roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, Le Corsaire, Sylphide, Coppelia, Esmeralda, "The Sleeping Beauty", The Nutcracker, Walpurgis Nights, Don Quixote, Paquita, La Bayadere, Romeo and Juliet, and Carmen. Ms. Marina Bogdanova received the honorary title of People's Artist of the USSR for outstanding achievements in the performing arts and therefore was noted in the Great Ballet Encyclopedia of Russia.

Her wonderful many years of experience in working with children will bring new energy and keep the best classic traditions of ballet in VBS.
Mari Sugawa: Ballet Teacher
Mari Sugawa Mari Sugawa was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in Japan where she received her training. She started ballet training with Mariko Yamamura at her home town, Matsusaka, Mie and continued to study with renowned Ballerina Yoko Morishita and Ballet Master Tetsutaro Shimizu as an apprentice in Matsuyama Ballet Company in Tokyo.

She also worked privately with Prima ballerina assoluta, Eva Evdokimova when she came back to the US. Her repertoire includes in such classics as Giselle, Odette in Swan Lake, Kitri in Don Quixote, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Nikiya in La Bayadère to among others. Especially her Giselle and Juliet have met high critical praise.

She has performed with New Jersey Ballet, Ballet Austin, Eglevsky Ballet, New York Theatre Ballet and Matsuyama Ballet Company. Currently, She performs and teaches internationally as a guest artist. She is also a certified pilates mat and reformer instructor by Pilates Academy International.
Mari Sugawa
Alexei Kossov: Ballroom Teacher
Born in Vladivostok, Russia. He's got his education in Moscow (nuclear physics). Currently working as programmer in New York City, NY (computers and dancing were always and still are important parts of his life). He likes "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Dancing with the Stars", enjoys good music and good company.

Alexei had long and successful carrier as professional dancer, choreographer, teacher, adjudicator and coach.
Alexei Kossov
Performances
The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker 2024
tickets are on sale now: vbs.booktix.com

We invite you to two "The Nutcracker" performances, December 16 and 17, 2024, at 6:30 pm
at Memorial Auditorium, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave., Montclair, NJ 07043.

Click on the images to make them bigger, swipe them left or right to see more.
The Nutcracker
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Snow Queen
We invite you to Snow Queen 2019 performance, Sunday, June 2nd, 12:00 pm,
at Memorial Auditorium, Montclair State University, at 1 Normal Ave., Montclair, NJ 07043.
Snow Queen
Snow Queen
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Schedule
Schedule of Classes
4:30 - 5:30
5:30 - 6:30
6:30 - 7:30
7:30 - 8:30
8:30 - 9:30
Monday
Beg.
Int.
Int. Pointe
Int. II + Adv.
Int. II + Adv. Pointe
4:30 - 5:30
5:30 - 6:30
6:30 - 7:30
7:30 - 8:30
8:30 - 9:30
Tuesday
Beg. I
Beg. II
Beg. II Pre-Pointe
Adult Ballet
Adult Ballroom
4:30 - 5:30
5:30 - 6:30
6:30 - 7:30
7:30 - 8:30
8:30 - 9:30
Wednesday
Preschool
3 - 5
Int.
Int. Pointe Tech.
Int. II + Adv.
Int. II + Adv. Pointe Tech.
4:30 - 5:30
5:30 - 6:30
6:30 - 7:30
7:30 - 8:30
8:30 - 9:30
Thurthday
Beg. I
Stretch
Pirouettes + Jumps
Private
Private
4:30 - 5:30
5:30 - 6:30
6:30 - 7:30
7:30 - 8:30
8:30 - 9:30
Friday
Beg. II
Beg. II Pre-Pointe
Int.
+ Adv.
Variations
10:00 - 11:00
11:00 - 12:00
12:00 - 1:00
1:00 - 2:00
Saturday
Private
Beg.
Preschool
3 - 5
Private
Holidays
Halloween Oct. 31, 2024
Thanksgiving Nov. 27 - 30, 2024
Holiday Recess Dec. 18, 2024
- Jan. 8, 2025
February Break Feb. 17 - 22, 2025
Easter Break Apt. 17 - 20, 2025
Last day of school May 24, 2025
Events
“The Nutcracker” auditions Sep. 28, 2024, at 2:00 pm
“The Nutcracker” rehearsals start October 5, 2024
Pre-performance Saturday Rehearsal at school: Please note that the entire cast will have a mandatory rehearsal Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at 12:00 pm.
“The Nutcracker” dress rehearsal Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, at 12:00 pm
“The Nutcracker” Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, at 6:30 pm
and Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at 6:30 pm
“Snow Queen” May, 2025
Summer Intensive Program June 2 - 27, 2025
Summer Camp TBD
Note: Payments are due the first week of each month.
Contact Us

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Class Description

Ballet Technique

Ballet technique is the foundational principles of body movement and form used in ballet.

Ballet education includes information on the history of ballet, vocabulary, proper etiquette for both classroom and stage, as well as how to apply stage make-up.

Pointe

Pointe class is the part of classical ballet technique that concerns pointe work, in which a ballet dancer supports all body weight on the tips of fully extended feet. Pointe work is performed while wearing pointe shoes. A dancer should never work in pointe shoes until their teacher has told them they are ready to do so, pre-pointe class is taken in ballet slippers until the dancer has developed the strength and muscles necessary to go en pointe.

Pre-Pointe

Pre-point classes are offered to ballet students who are not yet on pointe to further develop and strengthen the muscles necessary to go en pointe. Pre-pointe classes stress correct alignment and correct classical ballet technique. Pre-pointe classes also allow teachers to assess readiness, offering an atmosphere for proper evaluation of important skills.

Variations

In ballet, a variation (sometimes referred to as a pas seul, meaning to dance alone) is a solo dance. In a classical grand pas de deux, the ballerina and danseur each perform a variation.

Stretch

Strength training is important for a dancers overall ability, strengthening the body’s opposing muscles is vital to avoid injury. Flexibility work is important so that the dancer’s movement seems effortless and light. The combination of these two things together in one class helps to create long flexible muscles rather than short tight ones, consistent in keeping a ballet dancers lines long and strong.

Contemporary, Broadway, and Ballroom

These Dance classes are offered to provide various styles of dance so as to match and expand upon the knowledge, skills and abilities of our students.

Event Calendar
The 2024-2025 classes begin on Thurthday, September 12th, 2024.
September
Sep. 12 Classes Begin. All tuition due: Payment Installment and Full Year Tuition.
Sep. 28, at 2:00 PM “The Nutcracker” auditions.
Oct. 5 “The Nutcracker” rehearsals start.
October
Oct. 15 Nutcracker costume payments due.
Oct. 31 No classes. Halloween.
November
Nov. first week November payment due.
Nov. 27 - 30 No classes, Thanksgiving Break.
December
Dec. first week December payment due / Summer Intensive Program first payment due.
Saturday, Dec. 14 at 12:00 pm Pre-performance Saturday Rehearsal at school: Please note that the entire cast will have a mandatory rehearsal.
Sunday, Dec. 15 at 12:00 pm “The Nutcracker” dress rehearsal at Memorial Auditorium, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave., Montclair, NJ 07043
Monday, Dec. 16 at 6:30 pm
and
Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 6:30 pm
Two “The Nutcracker” performances at Memorial Auditorium, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave., Montclair, NJ 07043
Dec. 18 - Jan. 8 No classes. Holiday recess.
January
Jan. 9 Classes resume / January payment due
January dates TBD "Snow Queen" auditions. Rehearsals start.
February
Feb. first week February payment due.
Feb. 17 - 22 No classes. February break.
March
Mar. first week March payment due / Summer Intensive Program second payment due.
April
Apr. first week April payment due.
Apr. 17 - 20 No classes. Easter break.
May
May dates TBD "Snow Queen" performance
May 24 Last day of school.
June
Jun. 2 - 27 Summer Intensive Program.
July
July dates TBD Summer Camp.

School of Classical Ballet will present "The Nutcracker" December 16 and 17, 2024, at 6:30 pm
at Memorial Auditorium, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave., Montclair, NJ 07043.

"The Nutcracker"
tickets are on sale now: vbs.booktix.com