Brighton Ballet: The American School of Russian Ballet Summer Dance Program

- 2001 Oriental Blvd Building T7, Room 7211, Brooklyn, NY 11235

The Brighton Ballet: The American School of Russian Ballet Summer Dance Program is an essential institution for New Yorkers seeking professional, yet affordable, dance education rooted in the historical tradition of Russian classical and folk dance. Established in 1987, the school has become a cultural cornerstone of Brooklyn, particularly within the diverse communities of the Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach areas. It is an organization dedicated to preserving the Vaganova (Russian) Method of classical ballet training, offering a rigorous curriculum that focuses not only on technical mastery but also on fostering a strong disposition, confidence, and personal responsibility in its students.

The Summer Dance Program is an annual highlight, providing an intensive experience for dedicated dancers—from children to adults—to maintain and accelerate their skills during the break from the regular school year. The mission of Brighton Ballet extends beyond dance technique; it aims to mold and develop well-rounded, passionate, and resilient individuals, creating a common ground through the arts where children from many different ethnic and immigrant communities can interact and learn.

The instruction is delivered by a highly professional, international faculty who have graduated from the world's finest ballet academies and have performed with prestigious ballet companies across Russia, Ukraine, and the USA. This high-caliber instruction, combined with an organizational commitment to accessibility, makes it a unique and valuable resource in the New York City dance landscape.

Location and Accessibility

The Brighton Ballet Theater/School of Russian American Ballet proudly maintains its Brooklyn operations on the beautiful, sprawling campus of Kingsborough Community College (KCC), part of The City University of New York (CUNY) system. This location provides students with access to a vibrant academic environment and state-of-the-art facilities, including the Leon M. Goldstein Performing Arts Center.

The school's administrative and studio location is:

2001 Oriental Blvd Building T7, Room 7211, Brooklyn, NY 11235, USA

Key features of this location that enhance accessibility for the local New York user include:

• Campus Environment: Being situated on a college campus provides a safe, expansive, and inspiring environment, complete with the benefits of a large educational institution.
• Wheelchair Accessibility: The facility includes a designated Wheelchair accessible parking lot, ensuring convenient access for all families and students.
• Location: The Manhattan Beach location in Southern Brooklyn is a cultural hub, making it conveniently located for residents of Brooklyn, Queens, and other parts of the NYC area willing to travel for specialized Russian ballet training.

Services Offered

The Summer Dance Program at Brighton Ballet, along with their year-round offerings, encompasses a holistic and diverse curriculum that goes beyond standard classical technique. The classes are structured into a Children's Program and Advanced classes for serious students, with options available for teens and adults as well. Services include a mix of intensive study and recreational classes:

• Summer Dance Program / Summer Classes: Flexible and comprehensive à la carte or intensive sessions offered from June through August, designed to prevent skill regression over the summer break.
• Intensive Program: A focused summer training track, particularly for intermediate, advanced, and pre-professional students, emphasizing the Vaganova Method.
• Classical Ballet Training On: Core classes at all levels (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) focusing on the Russian (Vaganova) method.
• Character Dance: Essential classes that explore the traditional folk and national dances incorporated into classical ballets (e.g., Spanish, Hungarian, Polish dances).
• Pre-Ballet / Classes For Children: Programs specifically designed for the youngest students (starting from age 2) to build essential coordination, musicality, and basic movement skills.
• Boys Dance: Dedicated classes and programs that encourage male dancers, a vital component for a pre-professional training environment.
• Audition Preparation: Guidance and training to help advanced students prepare for auditions for professional companies or other advanced training programs.
• Choreography classes: Opportunities for students to explore the creative process and composition of dance.
• Fitness Classes: Supplementary training, such as Ballet Gymnastics, designed to enhance flexibility, strength, and physical fitness essential for the demands of classical dance.
• Special Program: Includes programs like Special Education classes, demonstrating a commitment to inclusive dance education for children with diverse needs.

Features / Highlights

Brighton Ballet distinguishes itself from many other New York City dance schools through a unique combination of Russian classical tradition, affordability, and a strong community focus:

• Vaganova Method: The core curriculum is founded on the Vaganova Method, the Russian training system known for its precise technique and emphasis on coordination, confidence, and artistic expression—a hallmark of world-class ballet.
• Abundant Performance Opportunities: Unlike many schools where only the most advanced students perform, Brighton Ballet ensures that all students have the opportunity to participate in full-scale, professional-level ballets, including an annual, unique version of The Nutcracker that often incorporates diverse international folk and character dances.
• Affordable & Professional: The school's non-profit status and mission are centered on providing an affordable and professional dance education to students from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, a crucial factor in the high-cost environment of New York City.
• International, Expert Faculty: Instructors are graduates of elite institutions in Russia, Ukraine, and the US, providing students with a direct lineage to the historical traditions of classical Russian ballet.
• Women-Owned Business: The organization identifies as women-owned, reflecting a strong, dedicated leadership that has championed dance education in Brooklyn for decades.
• Focus on Character Dance: A strong emphasis on Character Dance ensures students are well-rounded, capable of performing the international folk dances often seen in classical repertoire, broadening their cultural knowledge and performance skills.
• Good for Kids: The program is well-regarded as Good for kids, creating a supportive and friendly atmosphere that prioritizes the physical and mental health of young dancers alongside technical development.

Contact Information

To inquire about the Summer Dance Program, tuition rates, schedules, or the year-round curriculum, interested New Yorkers can use the following information:

• Address: 2001 Oriental Blvd Building T7, Room 7211, Brooklyn, NY 11235, USA
• Phone: (718) 769-9161
• Mobile Phone: +1 718-769-9161

What is Worth Choosing

For New York families, particularly those in Brooklyn and the surrounding boroughs, Brighton Ballet: The American School of Russian Ballet Summer Dance Program is an exceptional choice because it successfully balances professional rigor with community accessibility. It provides a rare opportunity to study the Vaganova Method from a faculty trained in its historical tradition, all while maintaining a non-profit mission to keep the arts affordable. This dual focus on high-quality training and community benefit is what sets it apart.

Choosing Brighton Ballet means selecting a school where every student, regardless of their division, is given the chance to perform full-scale ballets—a priceless experience that builds confidence and stage presence. The school’s rich tradition in Character Dance and its expansive Children's Program also ensure that students receive a broad, culturally enriching dance education. The summer intensive programs are an excellent way for dedicated students to push their boundaries and hone their technique under the guidance of world-class instructors in a positive, supportive atmosphere on the beautiful Kingsborough Community College campus.

Brighton Ballet: The American School of Russian Ballet Summer Dance Program

2001 Oriental Blvd Building T7, Room 7211, Brooklyn, NY 11235, USA