Students perform well in Swan Lake ballet

Three-year-old Kalista McDonald says she wants to join again next time.

Another 3-year-old girl, Samaya Castro, joined her elder sister Maiana, who both enjoyed their first experience performing in the Swan Lake Ballet and Concert of International Ballet Stars ’08.

For 9-year-old Brilliant Star student Sakura Imaya, “it was just fine.”

“I’m great,” McDonald says proudly as she giggled and attends to her lollipop but the show has not even finish yet.

Her proud mother Karen was all smiles and scenes like this marked the Swan Lake Ballet and Concert of International Ballet Stars ’08 at the Palms Resort Saipan on the second night of the show last Saturday, Dec. 6.

The young McDonald, Castro, and Imaya were just some of the 50 students of Glushko’s Academy of Performing Arts who showcased their talents.

They performed in P.I. Tchaikovsky “Gallope.” Other classics featured were Quartet, Waltz, Swans, Dance of the Little Swans and Big Swans.

Choreographer, director, and mistress of ceremony Anna Glushko said the show drew a lot of positive comments from the audience.

“The kids have a beautiful experience. They all did a great job. This is the best performance so far,” Glushko said.

The students joined Russian couple and professional ballet dancers from Ekarerinburg Ballet Theater, Margarita Rudina (who played the role of Odette/Odile) and Alexey Nasadivich (Prince Sigrfied), in the two-hour spectacular display of artistic skills.

The Russian couple performed in Adagio from ballet “Sheherazade” and Pas de duex from ballet “Talisman.

Helen Ann Butcher played the role of Queen and David Bucher (Von Robart).

Two professional ballet dancers from the Ywan Ballet Theater of Korea—Kim Yu Na and Kang Tae Yung—also contributed to the overall success of the show with their world-class style.

“We are very delighted. The students have grown up in the past year. We will continue to teach them and improve their skills,” Glushko said.

Usually, she said, it takes about 8-10 years for anyone to become good in ballet dancing.

Also in the show were students from the Ko Eun Kyung ballet Academy of Korea that included Choi Seo Yun, Han Jae Hee, Kim Eun Hye, Kim Hyo Ran, Kim Su Yeon, Kim Su Yun, Kim Taek Jung, Lee Da Yeon, Lee Hee Ju, Lee Woo Sun, and Park So Yun.

Glushko’s Academy of Performing Arts offers classes in ballet for all ages, three years and above.

It also teaches classes in jazz, hip-hop and modern dance for children ages 7-12 as well as dance aerobic and fitness class for adults.

The show was co-sponsored by UMDA and Palms Resort Saipan, Northwest Airlines, Tan Holdings Corp., Saipan Grand Hotel, Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan, Saipan Tribune, Shirley’s Coffee Shop, Joeten Group of Companies, Coffee Care, 360 Restaurant, County House Restaurant, Marianas Resort and Spa, Pacific Islands Club, Salty Dog, Saipan Riviera Hotel, Pacific Trading Company, McDonald’s, and Subway.