Ballet stars keep dance students on their toes
Published on Wed, Sep 9, 2009Read More Communities
Many favorite ballet performances are centered on a love story: from "Swan Lake" to "Sleeping Beauty" and "Romeo and Juliet," the themes of love and loss inspire dancers and audiences alike.
Russian ballet dancers Tatiana Liabina and Roman Zinoyev, a Snohomish County married couple with two young children, understand the power of love from a personal perspective. Students at Pilchuck Dance Academy in Marysville will benefit from that power, along with the couple's talent and discipline, as classes begin this fall.
Roman and Tatiana met in 1997 while dancing with the Grigorovich Ballet of Russia. Company rules punished dancers for personal relationships, and marriage was strongly discouraged. Determined to follow their hearts, they planned a defection while in Colorado on a 2002 U.S. tour, but only Roman was brave enough to stay behind when the company moved on.
After working at odd jobs, Roman was hired by the Sarasota Ballet in Florida and began to rebuild his dance career. When Tatiana's Russian troupe came to Los Angeles for a performance in September of 2003, she managed to disappear into Roman's arms. The two were married right away and, after an audition, she was also hired by the Florida dance company.
The dancers earned rave reviews from the staff, the media and audiences as they delivered stunning performances with the Sarasota company.
The defection came at a high price, however. The couple's young son, Daniil, was still in Russia under the care of Tatiana's mother. It took months of wrangling over visas before the family was finally reunited in late 2004.
Now living comfortably in a north Everett neighborhood, Tatiana, Roman and 6-year-old Daniil have welcomed another addition to the family, 4-month-old Max. And the dancers have found a new professional home as instructors at Pilchuck Dance Academy, also known as P2, located at 7315-43rd Avenue NE in Marysville.
"There is a big difference in training in America," Roman explained in a charming Russian accent. "In Russia even as children we spend 10 hours every day dancing, plus our regular school work. Ballet is the hardest thing in the world. It requires such discipline."
Because of the rigorous demands of ballet, Roman doesn't recommend it for children younger than 9 or 10 years old.
"Ballet is too precise for young children," he said. "They find it boring. The same movements are repeated over and over, with attention to the position of the feet, the hands, the body. Children at 6 or 7 years want to jump and play and be active, not stand at the barre and learn the positions."
The couple plans to take advantage of the established P2 training opportunities, starting with creative movement for young children, and develop a natural progression into pointe and classical ballet. Studio director Tamara Wade is excited about the Russians "transforming the ballet program" as they work with new and returning students.
Roman is quick to point out that, although ballet is his passion, he enjoys other styles of dancing. "Break dancing is fun and creative," he said. "It builds strength and flexibility too." 6-year-old Daniil takes classes at P2 in break dancing, flex/movement and dancing on pointe.
When asked about their own personal favorites, Roman cited Theobald in "Romeo and Juliet" as his favorite role, while Tatiana enjoyed dancing the principal role of Phrygia in "Spartacus."
Tatiana speaks very little English, but Roman insists that communication with her students is not a problem.
"French is the universal language for ballet, which Tatiana speaks well," Roman explained. "She teaches by demonstration, by showing her students the correct way. First position is first position in any language."
Roman hopes to produce ballet productions with P2 students, including the holiday favorite "The Nutcracker," and will encourage their participation in the Youth America Grand Prix, the premier dance competition for ballet students.
After several knee injuries and surgeries, Roman's dance abilities have become more limited, and while she's still radiantly beautiful and technically strong, 36-year-old Tatiana may have passed her prima ballerina years. But the couple's passion for teaching and their love for one another are as strong as ever.
To find out more about all of P2's dance classes, visit www.p2dance.com or phone (360) 659-1099. Registration is in progress now for fall lessons.
Russian ballet dancers Tatiana Liabina and Roman Zinoyev, a Snohomish County married couple with two young children, understand the power of love from a personal perspective. Students at Pilchuck Dance Academy in Marysville will benefit from that power, along with the couple's talent and discipline, as classes begin this fall.
Roman and Tatiana met in 1997 while dancing with the Grigorovich Ballet of Russia. Company rules punished dancers for personal relationships, and marriage was strongly discouraged. Determined to follow their hearts, they planned a defection while in Colorado on a 2002 U.S. tour, but only Roman was brave enough to stay behind when the company moved on.After working at odd jobs, Roman was hired by the Sarasota Ballet in Florida and began to rebuild his dance career. When Tatiana's Russian troupe came to Los Angeles for a performance in September of 2003, she managed to disappear into Roman's arms. The two were married right away and, after an audition, she was also hired by the Florida dance company.
The dancers earned rave reviews from the staff, the media and audiences as they delivered stunning performances with the Sarasota company.
The defection came at a high price, however. The couple's young son, Daniil, was still in Russia under the care of Tatiana's mother. It took months of wrangling over visas before the family was finally reunited in late 2004.
Now living comfortably in a north Everett neighborhood, Tatiana, Roman and 6-year-old Daniil have welcomed another addition to the family, 4-month-old Max. And the dancers have found a new professional home as instructors at Pilchuck Dance Academy, also known as P2, located at 7315-43rd Avenue NE in Marysville.
"There is a big difference in training in America," Roman explained in a charming Russian accent. "In Russia even as children we spend 10 hours every day dancing, plus our regular school work. Ballet is the hardest thing in the world. It requires such discipline."
Because of the rigorous demands of ballet, Roman doesn't recommend it for children younger than 9 or 10 years old.
"Ballet is too precise for young children," he said. "They find it boring. The same movements are repeated over and over, with attention to the position of the feet, the hands, the body. Children at 6 or 7 years want to jump and play and be active, not stand at the barre and learn the positions."
The couple plans to take advantage of the established P2 training opportunities, starting with creative movement for young children, and develop a natural progression into pointe and classical ballet. Studio director Tamara Wade is excited about the Russians "transforming the ballet program" as they work with new and returning students.
Roman is quick to point out that, although ballet is his passion, he enjoys other styles of dancing. "Break dancing is fun and creative," he said. "It builds strength and flexibility too." 6-year-old Daniil takes classes at P2 in break dancing, flex/movement and dancing on pointe.
When asked about their own personal favorites, Roman cited Theobald in "Romeo and Juliet" as his favorite role, while Tatiana enjoyed dancing the principal role of Phrygia in "Spartacus."
Tatiana speaks very little English, but Roman insists that communication with her students is not a problem.
"French is the universal language for ballet, which Tatiana speaks well," Roman explained. "She teaches by demonstration, by showing her students the correct way. First position is first position in any language."
Roman hopes to produce ballet productions with P2 students, including the holiday favorite "The Nutcracker," and will encourage their participation in the Youth America Grand Prix, the premier dance competition for ballet students.
After several knee injuries and surgeries, Roman's dance abilities have become more limited, and while she's still radiantly beautiful and technically strong, 36-year-old Tatiana may have passed her prima ballerina years. But the couple's passion for teaching and their love for one another are as strong as ever.
To find out more about all of P2's dance classes, visit www.p2dance.com or phone (360) 659-1099. Registration is in progress now for fall lessons.
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