Ballet masters here in two-day concert

Glushko’s Academy of Performing Arts will once again present a concert of international ballet stars from Russia and Japan as part of its holiday presentation.

Two Russian ballet masters are all set to pirouette their way to the hearts of the island’s well-heeled crowd in this weekend’s presentation of the well-known ballet, Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty and Concert of Ballet Stars.

Leonid Sychev and Yulia Anufrieva arrived on Saipan Wednesday and were welcomed by event organizer Ana Glushko of Glushko’s Academy of Performing Arts. The two immediately headed to the show’s venue at the Hotel Nikko Saipan Theater Hall in the afternoon for rehearsals.

Sychev, 38, is an alumnus of the famed Perm State Opera and Ballet Theater School in Russia. The school is said to be one of the top three ballet schools in the entire country.

Anufrieva, 28, has been dancing since she was 6, perfecting her skills in a professional ballet school in Russia. She said it’s her first time to be in the CNMI and she feels very honored to be part of the upcoming performance.

Both said they would do their best to provide the people of the CNMI the best show this weekend. Glushko said they would perform a complete program.

A ballet group from the Takagi Ballet School of Tokyo will also join the Russian ballet dancers for the second time. Saeka Kato and Aya Muto, said they are happy to be back on Saipan to perform again.

This is the fifth time that the local dance school is hosting the ballet concert.

Glushko, who will also dance in the show, said she will be in two parts. She will perform with local and guest ballet dancers in the first part and then collaborate with professionals in the second. At least 50 of her students will join in the presentation tomorrow and Saturday night.

Curtains draw open for Sleeping Beauty and Concert of Ballet Masters on Friday, Dec. 8, and Saturday, Dec. 9, beginning 7pm at Hotel Nikko Saipan’s Theatre Hall.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and are available at Ebisuya store (Susupe), Himawari store (Garapan), and Thai House Restaurant. Tickets may also be purchased at the door on the day of the performance. Advanced purchase is recommended since past years’ performances were all sold out.