A New Name For Our Society

March 11, 2022 – In light of current events deeply affecting the world, we are announcing our name change in order to join the ranks of those in the cultural front protesting the conflict in Ukraine. Moving forward, the Society will be rebranding as:

SOCIETY of CLASSICAL BALLET
(Vaganova Method)

 The time has come to honour Agrippina Vaganova, the artist and her internationally renowned teaching methodology. Her book, The Basic Principles of Classical Ballet, has been the foundation of the instructional work of our Society for the past 49 years and a remarkable contribution to the world of classical ballet.

“Look at life all around; everything is growing, everything is moving forward.
Therefore I recommend keeping in touch with life and with art.”
— Agrippina Vaganova

The arts have always been a reflection of society at large and a catalyst for change. As such, we will continue to practice Agrippina Vaganova’s philosophy of life and dance. Our Society’s 50th anniversary celebration, scheduled for August 2023, is an opportunity to not only commemorate our history and acknowledge our past achievements, but to also look ahead to the future growth and development of our organization.

The Society of Classical Ballet (Vaganova Method) sincerely hopes that art can transcend politics.

2024 Teacher Training Seminar Dates

The 2024 teacher training seminar will be held on August 17 & 18 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

April 2022

We are in the process of migrating our online video content to a new SCBVM YouTube Channel. We will keep members up to date with our progress.

February 2022

Musings is now available in our newly designed magazine format. Musings #04- February 2022 is being emailed to members in PDF format and is also available for download by clicking on the link above.

October 2021

• Links for Raising the Barre Teacher Training Webinar videos may be found on the Seminars & Study page and our YouTube Channel.

August 2021

• All downloadable documents have been updated and uploaded with new passwords. Please contact the Society’s office for the latest passwords.
• The port de bras exercises have been updated with more specific count information.
• The Connecting & Auxiliary Steps article for the webinars have been posted to the Seminars & Study page of the website. Use the password for that webpage to open the article.
• IMPORTANT – The yahoo.ca email address will be retired on November 1, 2021.

October 14, 2020

• Spelling errors in Level Pre-Elementary Échappé Battu have been corrected.
• Video links for Raising the Barre Teacher Training Webinars may be found on the Seminars & Study page and our YouTube Channel.
• Full Members may request the unlisted video link for the 2020 AGM from the Society’s office.

August 19, 2020

The plié exercise in Level Three has been revised to include a repetition on the left side. Please also note that the counts for this exercise have been updated.

May 2, 2020
Generation Dance Studio Flood Relief Campaign

SCB Member Kim Hurley and her studio, the Generation Dance Studio, has been a staple in the Fort McMurray community as well as the dance community for over 20 years. It has now been completely devastated by the Fort McMurray flood in April 2020. Not one inch of the studio has been spared from damage. GDS has not only been a place of learning, growth, teamwork, and love, but also a home that has fostered leadership, resiliency, and self-confidence for thousands of local youth over the past two decades. Generation Dance Studio and its Artistic Director Kim Hurley have given so much to their community and now we are asking if you can help during this time of immense need by making a donation to the Generation Dance Studio Flood Relief Campaign on Go Fund Me. Please know that a donation of any amount is truly appreciated.

March 26, 2020
In these unprecedented times —

In these unprecedented times the safety of our members, our students and their families, our examiners and the general public is paramount. Therefore, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic we must announce that as of March 26, 2020 all live examination sessions are indefinitely postponed until further notice, so that the Society of Russian Ballet community can comply with government health directives. 

We will do our utmost to reschedule any postponed in-person examination sessions when it is deemed safe by Health Canada and your respective provincial health agencies. Due to the ever-changing conditions we are navigating, it is not possible at this time to predict what time frame they might take place. Know that we are also discussing the logistics of electronic examination sessions, where that might be the best solution for studios. We are also developing the curriculum for online Annual Teacher Training Seminar for members in August. 

We will continue to communicate with you via the website, email and our social media sites. The greatest gifts we can give each other is compassion and support through these unprecedented times. Please be disciplined and diligent with your prevention measures. 

Sincerely,

The Executive Committee

October 7, 2019
Directory Update Form

Members may now update their directory listing at any time of year using the Directory Update Form. The form is available at the top of every Provincial and the International Directory page and on the Documents, Syllabi and Downloads page. The form is a fillable PDF and does not require a password. Please make sure to complete the required information.

August 22, 2019
Minutes of the 2019 Annual General Meeting

The minutes of the 2019 Annual General Meeting has been posted to the downloads page of the website and may be opened with the latest general documents password. If you do not know the password please contact Deanna Stewart.

August 9, 2019
Document & Syllabus Updates

All changes and updates are effective as of August 9, 2019.

What’s New:

• All forms on the website are now fillable PDFs
• Comment Sheets for exams without writers are now fillable PDFs
• Comment Sheets for all female exams are now fillable PDFs
• Comment Sheets for male exams up to Level 8 are now fillable PDFs
• Comment Sheets for male exams in Levels Pre-Elementary through Pre-Professional are available upon request. Requests must be submitted no less than seven days prior to your exam session.
  

Revisions to Dancer Exam Procedure & Mark Rationale directive:

• Instructions for using the new fillable PDF Comment Sheets
• New requirements for dancer organization and placement in lines and groups for all exams. (Effective for all exams as of August 2019.)

Syllabus Revisions: 

• Primary
  • Walk on Demi Pointe en Diagonale – revised notes for males
  • Improvisation – revised notes re improvisation description & music
  • Curtsey & Bow – revised notes re inclusion of walks
• Level One
  • Improvisation – revised notes re improvisation description & music
• Level Two
  • Travelling Allegro – additional instructions
• Level Three
  • Centre Adage – revised instructions on counts 5-6 for stretching up from plié in 2nd
  • Glissade Derrière – revised instructions for count 1
• Level Five
  • Assemblé Soutenu en Tournant – optional 3/4 or full turn
• Level Seven
  • New optional barre movement – Relevé 1/2 Turn on One Foot (Demi-contretemps style)
  • Pas de Basque Glissé en Avant – additional instructions
• Level Eight
  • Battement Fondu Tombé – additional instructions
• Pre-Elementary
  • Barre Adage – Demi Fouetté – clarified instructions
  • Sissonne Simple Passé Sauté – Step name revised, additional height instructions
• Elementary
  • Rond de Jambe Par Terre – additional arm instruction
  • Battement Frappé – Relevé Half Turn on One Foot – revised to demi pirouette style
  • Male Tour En L’Air in Retiré Derrière – finish to 4th deleted
• Intermediate
  • Pointe Warm-Up – exercise deleted
  • Pointe Pas de Bourrée en Avant & en Arrière name revised to Pas de Bourrée Ballotté

March 27, 2017
In Remembrance – Ann Vanderheyden

To All Members of The Society of Russian Ballet,

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of one of our founding members and past Chairman, Ann Vanderheyden. Ann passed away peacefully at North York General Hospital on Monday, March 27, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.

Ann was instrumental in forming the Canadian branch of the Society of Russian Style Ballet Schools which was brought over from England in 1973 by our founder Marijan Bayer. Marijan Bayer gathered together Ann Vanderheyden and a small group of enthusiastic ballet teachers; Dorothy Carter and Victoria Carter from London, Ontario, Joanne Ashe from Toronto and Nesta Toumina from Ottawa. Together they launched the Vaganova method of ballet teaching in Canada and created the all Canadian Society in 1975. The name was changed to the Society of Russian Style Ballet in the 1980s and again to the current title, the Society of Russian Ballet in the 1990s.

Ann was a passionate and dedicated ballet teacher. She inspired students through her nurturing and kindness at a variety of ballet schools in the Toronto area.

Ann was also a great supporter of the National Ballet of Canada where she worked on the volunteer committee as a financial advisor. It was there she was introduced to Marijan Bayer, then a principal dancer with the company. An immediate lifelong friendship was born. After Mr. Bayer retired from the stage, he opened a studio in north Toronto and hired Ann to work with him.

Ann Vanderheyden’s early training in England included musical theatre, plays, operetta and the early days of the ballet company Saddler and Wells. This experience gave her teaching a fresh approach and liveliness. Ann helped many young dancers begin their professional careers by offering sound technical training and a friendly environment.

As Mr. Bayer’s school grew, he started one of Ontario’s first touring ballet companies, City Ballet. Ann Vanderheyden took on the role of Ballet Mistress for the new company. Her unbounded energy was infectious among the dancers and respected by all who knew her.

As her own family grew, Ann was teaching less but remained an avid supporter of the Society of Russian Ballet.  The executive appointed Ann as an examiner in the early part of the 1990s. Her role with the Society further developed when she became the Secretary/ Treasurer.  Ann held the position of Chairman of the Society of Russian Ballet from 1998 until her retirement in 2009.

On a personal note, Ann was a part of my extended ballet family. She was my “ballet mom”. She not only inspired me as a small girl in ballet class but allowed me to be myself. She built my self-confidence and independence as a dancer. Ann taught me that ballet was a part of my life, not all of my life. She was a strong, happy woman who I always strived to emulate. I will always think of Ann with admiration, respect and love.

Ann, thank you for your contribution to the ballet and your undying spirit. We will all miss you.

Fondly remembered,

Jane Pound

For details of the funeral arrangements, please visit www.rskane.ca