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The Willis Ballet

 

 

Tours

     Presenting the 

Finest in

Classical Ballet

Performances

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Over 400

Performances

to Date!

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V

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Every performance has had a standing ovation.

REVIEWS

“The St. Petersburg Classic Ballet uses its bodies to present tales rooted in the human heart. It is amazing how discipline and hard work can be channeled to create beauty, and a beauty that can be shared by many people.”
Adrian Pena, The Collegian, Brownsville, Texas

“Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet a Joy in Motion…it was a program that deserved all the enthusiastic response it received and more. A hallmark of sinuous grace from fingertips to toes.”
Marcia Fulmer, The Elkhart Truth, Elkhart, Indiana

“An enjoyable performance…The St. Petersburg dancers shined. All dancers showed their versatility in performing pieces from the standard classical repertoire.”
George Volksy, Coral Gables Gazette, Miami, Florida

“Extraordinary dancers under the direction of Marina Medvetskaya. The shows I saw in Wenatchee and Omak were absolutely fantastic – Not a seat was empty… The whole community embraced the event. The energy, dedication, organizational skills, passion and follow-through of dance teachers is unlike anything I've encountered in all my years as arts presenter! They made the events successful, by creating an atmosphere of excitement, enthusiasm and anticipation. Most extraordinary of all was the natural response to the performance -- applause is a distinctive phenomenon. On Sunday evening, it came frequently and easily in response to great technique, the execution of complex and exciting steps, leaps, turns and perfect landings. When the spotlight’s iris closed at its conclusion, there were shrieks of delight, howls of approval and a thunder-like eruption of clapping ~ simultaneous throughout the theater ~ instantaneous, spontaneous and universal! They provided an experience most attending would never be afforded in their lifetime.”
Artbeat, Omak / Wenatchee, Washington

"Magnificent, superb, highly professional. Just these few words say volume about the performance art of the St. Petersburg Classic Ballet. The program is composed of the pearls of ballet classic.”
Keskiviikkona, Finland

“A brilliant new company from Russia... Everybody was fascinated by the high creative spirit, temperament and full-blooded energy of the young, beautiful dancers from the Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet.”
Lanstidningen, Sweden

“Good luck to our splendid ballet company, who continue the best traditions of Saint Petersburg!”
Natalia Dudinskaya, former Prima ballerina of the Mariinsky (Kirov) Theatre and rehearsal coach at the Vaganova Academy

“The city of Saint Petersburg can truly be proud of the fine new generation of artists, who have forged classical traditions in the world of dance.”
Sergei Vikulov, star of the Mariinsky (Kirov) Ballet, honored artist of Russia
 
“Over the span of many years, I have recognized Marina Medvetskaya as a splendid ballerina and talented director. Unquestionably, the success of this company is due to her tireless work. I congratulate the Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet!”
Mikhail Lavrovsky, Star of the Bolshoi Theatre Ballet, world famous choreographer

"A stimulating and glamorous performance. Superb costumes. A heartfelt performance and a miracle achievement for such a young company. Their soloists are of a standard comparable to the Kirov!”
Alexander Kurkov, dance critic from Orsk, Russia

“They not only present the classics in the best light but also well. Their technique is world class, in every respect.”
A. Petrozavodski, dance critic from Rulegi-Binanonses, Karelia, Russia

“During our period of association, the company has always conducted itself with great professionalism and has received the highest praise from the press. In the field of Terpsichore, they embody the best spirit of classical dance!”
Iskander Saparov, Director of the Uventa Cultural Center, St. Petersburg, Russia

“Once they begin to perform… the surroundings no longer matter. The beauty of their dance takes over and lifts the audience to new heights.”
Tatiana Zelenina, ballet critic of Tolyatti, Russia
 

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Part of the fun of this well staged, beautifully costumed touring program produced by The Willis Ballet of Lubbock, Texas was how fresh these now infrequently performed excerpts look.  The high level of dancing was also a great pleasure, particularly in its authority and a classical purity that is rare today in American Ballet.

Review from Jennifer Dunning, The New York Times, March 13, 1999

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Saint-Augustine, Florida will never be the same!  Last night, February 11, 2000, the impeccable performance of the Saint-Petersburg Ballet Theatre you produce, left our community with a taste of what the great Russian dance companies are famous for:  Perfection in form, style, imaginative choreography, timing and a true visual delight.  We are forever grateful to you for bringing them.

Dr. Luis Garcia-Fernandez, Program Chair, Emma Concert Association, Saint-Augustine, Florida, February 11, 2000

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Thank you for helping us find and present the Saint-Petersburg Ballet Theatre.  What a magical performance!  The dancers were exquisite and the classical numbers were flawlessly executed.  I have never seen such athleticism and control before.  I was unprepared for the stunning beauty of Russian ballet.  I literally had to remind myself to breathe several times during the intense dances.  We are proud to have presented such a quality dance performance here in the Columbia Basin Desert.

Betty Jeanne Lang, Executive Director of Columbia Basin Allied Arts, Moses Lake, Washington, November 22, 1999

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Thank you for a lovely, crowd-pleasing performance!

Tony Carobine, Director of the Professional Performing Arts Series, Queensborough Community College, Bayside, New York, November 3, 1995

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To the President of Texas Tech University...Our family had the pleasure of seeing the St. Petersburg Ballet of Russia perform.  They were fantastic.  The show was at Western Oregon State College at Monmouth on Thursday, October 5, 1995.  The Ballet was informative, educational and a wonderful delight....Mr. Paul Aarnio gave us a historical briefing before the performance and the entire audience thanked him for his commentary.  We also had many questions which were answered fully.  ...Seating at Rice Auditorium was sold out and a number of standing ovations was given to the performers.  The music, choreography and the performers were great....We wish to express our appreciation to you and Texas Tech...the performers were wonderful and Mr. Aarnio did a fine job of managing, scheduling and presenting them.  Thank you again.

Mr. Hardy P. Cave (a former Lubbock Resident), Salem Oregon, October 18, 1995

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