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STRENGTH IN CHARACTER
Dancers who aspire to perform in the great classical ballets are required to know what is called, Character Dance. In multiple act classical ballets, there are sections where folk dances from various countries in Europe are part of the choreography. Character dance is not something you would normally associate with Verb Ballets. Many dancers today have not received that training or have not studied it to an advanced level. Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director of Verb Ballets, wanted to bring the character variations into the repertory to provide a deeper education for our dancers. She was a former principal dancer with the Eifman Ballet. Her first education began at the Odessa State Choreographic Institute in Ukraine. She then went on to graduate with her Masters in Choreography from The Vaganova State Academy of Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia. After graduation, she received a teaching certification in Character Dance from Bella Ojegova.
Inna Stabrova set two character works on the company to debut on the Going Solo program. The men will dance a Spanish Jota and the full company will dance a Ukrainian folk dance.
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Character training helps bring stylistic detail to classical and contemporary roles and develops the coordination required to become a versatile dancer.
Dr. Carlson met Inna Stabrova when she immigrated to the United States in the 1990's. Dr. Carlson was then the Director of the University of Akron's School of Dance and felt Inna was a perfect match to supplement the students' training. So began a long friendship.
Inna Stabrova has a reputation as a gifted teacher and was an exceptional dancer as well. She was a former principal dancer with the Eifman Ballet. Her first education began at the Odessa State Choreographic Institute in Ukraine. She then went on to graduate with her Masters in Choreography from The Vaganova State Academy of Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia. After graduation, she received a teaching certification in Character Dance from Bella Ojegova.
Inna Stabrova set two character works on the company to debut on the Going Solo program. The men will dance a Spanish Jota and the full company will dance a Ukrainian folk dance.
