About Us
Welcome to an exciting opportunity for dedicated ballet students to push the boundaries of their artistry and technique. Our classically based ballet program, founded by Professor Inessa Plekhanova in 2007, is designed for serious students ages 12 and older, with a minimum of two years of ballet training and at least one year of pointe experience (for female students). This intensive two-week course is perfect for intermediate and advanced dancers who are eager to challenge themselves, grow, and take their ballet skills to new heights.
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Since its creation, the program has become well-established and internationally recognized, drawing students from across the U.S. and around the world. It has built a reputation for delivering top-tier training and producing talented, confident dancers who thrive in both classical and contemporary dance.
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Our program features Vaganova-certified teachers with international recognition, ensuring that you receive the highest level of training in Ballet and Pointe technique. In addition, we offer dynamic Modern, Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Dance Conditioning classes to enhance your well-rounded dance experience. With our expert instructors and well-rounded curriculum, you’ll gain valuable skills to elevate your dancing while having fun and making lasting memories!
Curriculum Overview
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Ballet Technique
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Pointe Technique
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Modern Dance
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Jazz Dance
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Stretching & Dance Conditioning
Our program features Vaganova-certified teachers with international recognition, ensuring that you receive the highest level of training in Ballet and Pointe technique. In addition, we offer dynamic Modern, Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Dance Conditioning classes to enhance your well-rounded dance experience. With our expert instructors and well-rounded curriculum, you’ll gain valuable skills to elevate your dancing while having fun and making lasting memories!
Director
Inessa Plekhanova
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Professor, Director of Ballet Program
Artistic Director of RU Ballet Theatre
Department of Dance
Radford University
Inessa Plekhanova is an internationally celebrated artist, educator, and a leading authority on the Vaganova method of classical ballet technique. Recognized worldwide for her exceptional expertise, she is consistently sought after as a guest master teacher, choreographer, and judge at prestigious ballet events across the United States, Russia, Japan, and South Korea.
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A graduate of the renowned State Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia, Inessa Plekhanova earned her Master of Fine Arts, setting the stage for an illustrious career in both performance and education. Her distinguished stage career includes performances as a soloist with the Estonian National Ballet and Colorado Ballet, where she danced principal and solo roles in iconic productions such as The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, La Sylphide, Raymonda, Giselle, La Bayadère, and Sleeping Beauty, among others. Over 15 years, Ms. Plekhanova brought life to some of ballet’s most celebrated works, showcasing her extraordinary technical prowess and artistry.
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Ms. Plekhanova’s teaching career began in 1986 at the Vaganova Ballet Academy, where she served as an assistant teacher. Her passion for nurturing young talent led her to positions at the State College of Dance and Choreography in Tallinn, Estonia, and at the Academy of Colorado Ballet, where she was also appointed Artistic Director from 1991 to 2005. There, she was instrumental in producing ballet masterpieces for Colorado Ballet-II, including La Bayadère, Don Quixote, Le Corsair, and Chopiniana.
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Recognized for her excellence in teaching, Ms. Plekhanova has been honored with the "Outstanding Teacher Award" at the Youth America Grand Prix International Ballet Competition in 2001, 2002, 2003, and again in 2016.​
In 2005, Ms. Plekhanova became the Director of the Ballet Program and Artistic Director of the RU Ballet Theatre at Radford University. Over her tenure, she staged 18 full-length productions, including a beloved Nutcracker, and founded the Radford University Ballet Youth program (RUBY) in 2006. The following year, she established the Radford International Ballet Intensive, an acclaimed summer program that attracts aspiring dancers from around the world.
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In 2014, Ms. Plekhanova received the prestigious Radford University Foundation’s Distinguished Creative Scholar Award, recognizing her exceptional contributions to the academic and artistic fields. In 2020, she was honored with the Dalton Eminent Scholar Award, the university’s highest distinction, awarded to faculty members with distinguished national and international reputations. This recognition supports her continued excellence and innovation in the world of dance.
Ms. Plekhanova’s expertise continues to inspire and shape the next generation of dancers, as she is annually invited to serve as a judge at ballet competitions and festivals worldwide. Her passion for ballet and her unparalleled technical knowledge make her an invaluable figure in the global dance community.
Contact Us
801 East Main Street, Radford, Virginia 24142