Ballet and other classical art forms will not survive without the support of the business sector and the entire community, according to Dr. Gene Eagle-Oden.
Oden, president of Glushko's Academy of Performing Arts, said he started learning more about ballet when he met his wife, academy instructor Anna Glushko.
He noted that ballet is one of the three major art forms that have survived the classical world into the modern world. It is an art form that began centuries ago and was performed mainly for royals or monarchs.
“It's always required for classical arts-including ballet-from the time of Beethoven and other great artists of the world, to be supported by the kingdoms of Europe. It's always required financial support. It's not the type of thing that survives without the help of rich people, particularly the business community,” said Oden at the Rotary Club of Saipan meeting yesterday.
He said Glushko's Academy of Performing Arts, the only ballet school in the CNMI, works hard to bring world-class ballet performances to the islands through the annual International Ballet of the Stars.
“This project has survived and is the finest ballet performance in the United States and the Pacific,” said Oden.
This year's show is scheduled on March 16 and 17, 7pm to 9pm, at the American Memorial Park Amphitheater.
The weekend show will feature husband-and-wife ballet dancers Alexey Nasadovich and Margarita Rudina from Ekaterinburg, Russia. The two have performed on island several times in the past and are expected to bring their daughter during this year's visit.
Also expected to grace the show are ballerinas from Osaka in Japan and, for the first time, from Vladivostok in Russia, which is Glushko's native land. They will be joined on stage by Glushko's young students.
“We're fortunate that because of Anna's contacts in the ballet community in Russia, Japan, Korea, and the U.S., we're able to put on a world-class ballet show,” said Oden.
The academy president revealed that a show of this caliber costs about $70,000 and a similar show in the U.S. mainland will have a ticket price worth about $180 per person.
“If we charge that kind of amount, people won't come,” said Oden.
Both Oden and Glushko thanked the local businesses that have provided them financial or in-kind support, making it possible for the academy to host the International Ballet of the Stars yearly at affordable rates.
Tickets to the show cost $15 per adult and $10 for children 3 to 12 years old. Glushko encouraged those interested to watch the show to buy their tickets in advance as the venue has a policy that doesn't allow show organizers to sell tickets at the site.
For more information, call 483-6271 or email glushkosacademy@yahoo.com.
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