Ellison Ballet is excited to announce new educational opportunities for the summer of 2024: Music Workshops exclusively for ballet teachers, led by the esteemed master teacher, accomplished accompanist, and Ellison Ballet Music Director, Olga Bazilevskaya.
Working With AcCompanists:
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Testimonials
"Olga Bazilevskaya brings beauty and warmth to every class she plays through her music. I feel honored to have had the privilege to take class with her and feel the joy she brings to her students day after day." - Misty Copeland, Principal Dancer, American Ballet Theatre
"Olga always creates an atmosphere of harmony, stability, and joy in the classroom - her music supporting and encouraging the dancers to stay focused on the task at hand. Her extensive classical repertoire infuses each exercise with just the right character." -Gelsey Kirkland, Legendary Ballerina
"I had the pleasure of attending Ms. Olga Bazilevskaya's Ballet Teacher Workshop, and I was impressed by her clear and very simple way to communicate and teach very important keys to be respected in a relationship with your accompanist. She reminds us that a common musical language is what will make the class flow." -Michela Boschetto, The Ailey School Ballet Faculty
"Olga has a rare ability as a musician to get beneath the surface of the musical intentions of a step, and make choices that are creative, collaborative, spontaneous, and dynamic. Her musical point of view enforces and enhances the experience of the student and the teacher," - Jeffrey Edwards, Juilliard Ballet Faculty.
"One of the most valuable professional training courses for a pianist at the beginning of their professional career." - Accompanist Workshop Participant, Ballet West
"Olga did a spectacular job of breaking down the mechanixs of what makes a great accompanist and creating an encouraging environment." -Past Workshop Student
FROM DANCE TEACHER MAGAZINE:
"Long time accompanist Olga Bazilevskaya knows firsthand that when it comes to music, dancers and musicians speak different languages. 'Early on in my career, a teacher asked me to play a six and I was very confused,' said Bazilevskaya. 'Did she want a 6/8 count or a six-bar phrase?' Six-bar phrases don't really exist in classical ballet, Bazilevskaya thought to herself. To a musician, polonaise is the term the Bazilevskaya would've understood best. 'If it's not explained or specific,' says Bazilevskaya, 'It can be confusing to a musician."
FACULTY
Olga Bazilevskaya | Ellison Ballet Music Director, Music Faculty A graduate of Moscow Conservatory College (Russia), Ms. Bazilevskaya brings with her 30 years of experience in music. Between 1974 and 1990, she taught piano at The Music School in Moscow and the Moscow Military Music College. Ms. Bazilevskaya moved to New York in 1990 where she was the musical director of Ballet Hispanico for seven years as well as Gelsey Kirkland Ballet for six years. For over twenty years she has worked with professional dance companies and schools as an accompanist, such as Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, American Ballet Theater, School of American Ballet, Juilliard School, Ballet Trockadero, Ellison Ballet, Steps on Broadway and Ballet Academy East. Olga, also, is an accomplished piano teacher and has developed a unique music workshop for dancers. |
Facilities
Classes take place at the beautiful Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, located two blocks from Lincoln Center in New York City.
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Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Covid-19
Will precautions be taken regarding COVID-19?
Covid protocols will be implemented accordingly if mandated by local, state, or federal authorities OR if the Ellison Ballet administration deems it necessary at the time of the program.
Do participants have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to attend?
At this time we are not requiring participants to be vaccinated. During the registration process, students will be asked whether or not they are vaccinated in case this information should become relevant before or during the program. Students who are vaccinated will be asked to submit their vaccine records.
What is the protocol if a participant tests positive during the program?
Ellison Ballet follows all recommended CDC and NYC guidelines in place at the time of the program.
Page header photo by Clarissa Lapolla.