Olga Kuzmina Balet

Professional Ballet from Age 9

  • First class free
  • Online signup, the school confirms your place
  • ul. Mariana Rapackiego 3B, Szczecin
  • Every class is taught by Olga Kuźmina
Dancers of the 13-16 group in black leotards and tulle skirts during a combination in the studio

Professional Ballet is the path for children and teenagers from age 9 who want to study classical ballet at vocational-school level - in Szczecin, in the studio at ul. Mariana Rapackiego 3B (Joy Dance), in two groups: Ballet 9-11 profi (the first ballet class) and Ballet 13-16. Both groups train three times a week for two to two and a half hours, taught by Olga Kuźmina, a graduate of the Kyiv State Ballet School and a coryphée at the Opera na Zamku. Entry to every group is by audition.

The professional school is where ballet stops being a class and becomes the study of a profession - as in the state ballet schools, by the same classical method that has trained dancers from St Petersburg to Paris for two hundred years. The groups are small, ten to fifteen people, the level is demanding, and the programme leads from the first ballet class through repertoire to competitions and entrance exams for ballet schools and companies.

Ballet 9-11 profi - the first ballet class

The group for children from age 9 who have passed an audition - from our 7-9 group or from another school. Classes take place three times a week: Mondays 18:30-21:00, Wednesdays 18:00-20:30 and Fridays 16:30-18:30. It is a full classical lesson: barre, centre, allegro, work on foot strength and preparation for pointe, and from a certain stage the first variations from the repertoire.

The group has up to 10 people.

Ballet 13-16

Classes three times a week, two hours each: Tuesdays 17:30-19:30, Thursdays 17:00-19:00 and Fridays 18:30-20:30. Pointe technique, classical repertoire and new choreography, competition preparation. Dancers from other schools also join this group after an audition.

The group has up to 15 people. After 16 the path leads to the teenagers 16+ group.

The Master Group

The Master Group is the elite section of Professional Ballet for the most talented and committed dancers. Its members take part in extra workshops, competitions and performances, and the training is more intensive and demanding - the programme is tailored to advanced dancers. Membership is a distinction and commits the dancer to a high level of discipline and daily work on themselves.

Audition and admission

Entry to every professional group is by audition - a skills examination at which the teacher assesses physical conditioning, technique and musicality. Auditions take place before the new season, in spring, and during the year by individual appointment.

Pupils of other ballet schools, private and state, are welcome. The first class is always free.

Competitions, performances and what comes next

Pupils of the professional school perform in the school's productions, compete in ballet competitions in Poland and abroad - every entry is recommended individually by the teacher - and prepare for entrance exams to state ballet schools. About the programme, competition preparation and our partners: Professional Ballet at our school.

Questions about professional ballet

Our groups are divided by age as standard. The children's groups are Baby Ballet 3-4, Ballet 5-6, Ballet 7-9 and Ballet 11-13. Professional Ballet starts at age 9: Ballet 9-11 profi, the first ballet class, and Ballet 13-16, then teenagers 16+ after 16. The higher groups are the Master Group classes for Professionals.

The 3-4 and 5-6 groups start from the basics. Higher groups are continuation groups, and moving up requires passing a skills examination.

Classically, all equipment such as barres, yoga blocks and stretching mats is available in the studio. Personal items to bring are, of course, ballet attire and pointe shoes. As needed, students also bring their own fitted stretching bands or ankle and wrist weights.

Classes take place with varying frequency depending on the age group. The 3-4 and 5-6 groups train twice a week, the 7-9 group three times, the 11-13 group once a week, and the professional groups 9-11 and 13-16 three times a week for two to two and a half hours. The Master Group requires strong commitment, as classes take place every day, 7 days a week, weekends included.

Every student entered into a competition is individually recommended by their teacher. This assures parents that the dancer competes at an event matched to their current skill level and stage of development. This approach lets our students build confidence on stage and gain competition experience in conditions that support their further growth - rather than risking frustration through starting too early.

Three classes: Mondays 18:30-21:00, Wednesdays 18:00-20:30 and Fridays 16:30-18:30 - about seven hours a week. Every lesson is barre, centre and allegro, and as progress allows, pointe work and the first variations. Plus the school's performances and, for selected pupils, competition preparation.

Yes - after an audition, where the teacher assesses technique, conditioning and musicality and names the right group. We take pupils from private and state schools; auditions are held in spring before the new season, and during the year by appointment.

Yes - the first class is always free. Book by phone, by e-mail or through the form on this page and come to a lesson.

The fee is monthly and depends on the hours in the group - about six a week in the 13-16 group and seven in 9-11 profi. Each group's current price is on its card in the enrolment form on this page.