Peninsula Ballet Theatre

Peninsula Ballet Theatre provides classically based, varied repertoire and educational outreach programs throughout northern California and beyond that inspire passion for the performing arts in audiences of all ages.  With special care given to the spirit and diversity of the individual artist, challenging their commitment to artistic excellence in the production of Dance Theater, we enhance the lives of professional artists and an ever-increasing audience.

How and What We Teach

Peninsula Ballet Theatre Conservatory teaches from a syllabus based on The Vaganova Method.  Vaganova is a ballet technique and training system devised by the Russian dancer and teacher Agrippina Vaganova (1879-1951).  Vaganova syllabus directs the teacher’s attention on the details of what to teach at each level.  Due to its strictly codified training system, the Vaganova method is widely considered to be injury-free when taught correctly.  All of our teachers are professionals trained in this methodology.

Vaganova is noted for fusing elements of traditional French technique from the romantic era, with the athleticism and virtuosity of the Italian school the method.  It is designed to work the body as a whole, with total involvement of the body in every movement, with equal attention paid to the upper body as well as the legs and feet. Vaganova believed that this approach increases the dancer’s awareness of the body, creating a harmony of movement and greater expressive range. The training regime for the Vaganova method is complex and rigorously planned to produce a clean, virtuoso technique.

Each student will pass through the levels at their own pace.  Each body develops at an individual rate and speed is not necessarily an indication of talent or potential.  Every student should expect that at some level(s) they will reach a plateau where advancement may take longer than it did at a previous level.  Our teachers are very aware of this and are careful not to advance a student to a level if they cannot be successful.  Too rapid advancement, especially to pointe class, is a key cause of future injury which could easily end a dancer’s career advancement.