Kirov Academy of Ballet

Kirov Academy of Ballet
Location
Map
4301 Harewood Rd NE, Washington, D.C.

United States of America
Coordinates38°56′28″N 77°00′12″W / 38.941°N 77.0032°W / 38.941; -77.0032
Information
TypeBallet school
Established1990 (1990)
Closed2022 (2022)
Grades6th through 12th
Campus size1.2 acres

The Kirov Academy of Ballet (formerly the Universal Ballet Academy[1]) was a ballet school in Washington, D.C. founded by Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon in 1990.[2] It closed in May 2022.

Facilities

The Kirov was located in a former monastery on a 1.2 acre campus in the Brookland neighborhood of northeast Washington, D.C. The 50,000 square foot gated facility featured dormitories, studios, and administrative space.[3]

Performance series

The Kirov’s spring and winter performance series were held in the academy’s 300-seat auditorium. Annually, the six performances served more than 1,800 people, including student performers, family members, children (including from underserved populations), and ballet aficionados of all ages.[citation needed]

Notable students

Kirov Academy of Ballet students have gone on to become leading dancers at top companies around the world.[4] Graduates and other students include Melanie Hamrick,[4] Sascha Radetsky,[4] Hee Seo,[4] Jayna Ledford,[5] Rasta Thomas,[6] Michele Wiles,[6] Danny Tidwell,[7] Tyler Nelson,[8] Vanessa Zahorian,[9] Sasha De Sola,[10] Brooklyn Mack,[11] Maria Bystrova,[6] Hyo-Jung Kang,[12] Melissa Hough,[6] Connor Walsh,[13] Rory Hohenstein,[6] Brian Maloney,[14] Jonathan Jordan,[15] J’aime Crandall,[16] Elizabeth Mason,[17] Lauren Strongin,[6] Dana Genshaft,[18] Laura O’Malley,[6] Adrienne Canterna,[6] Evan McKie,[4] Dragoș Mihalcea,[19] Yena Kang,[20] Hye-Min Hwang,[21] Jae Yong Ohm, [6] Joy Womack.[6]

References

  1. ^ Kim, James S. (11 March 2015). "South Korean Ballerina Hee Seo Dazzles in 'The Sleeping Beauty'". KoreAm. Seoul, South Korea. Archived from the original on 12 November 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  2. ^ Ritzel, Rebecca J. (May 7, 2021). "Former Dance School Comptroller Pleads Guilty in $1.5 Million Fraud". New York Times. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  3. ^ "Brookland School Property Trades for $22M". BLDUP. September 19, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e Ritzel, Rebecca J. (2022-02-08). "The Kirov Academy, a Leading Ballet School, to Close in May". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  5. ^ Scher, Avichai (March 8, 2020). "For transgender dancers, progress can't come fast enough". Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hanna, Judith Lynne (June 12, 1999). "Kirov Academy of Ballet". Dance Magazine. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  7. ^ Kourlas, Gia (July 11, 2007). "So He Knows He Can Dance: A Prince Among Paupers". New York Times. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  8. ^ Lang, George (September 26, 2007). "Former Edmond resident causes storm over Indiana Jones". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  9. ^ Natalia Boesch (April 3, 2017). "Grace and Tenacity: Vanessa Zahorian Reflects on 20 Years at San Francisco Ballet". Pointe Magazine. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  10. ^ Ford, Penelope. "Let There be Light". Fjord Review. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  11. ^ Maxwell, Jenny (September 2021). "Made in Cola Town; Brooklyn Mack Dances Through Life". Columbia Metropolitan. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  12. ^ Al-Jamie, Anthony (March 27, 2016). "Ballerina Hyo Jung Kang". Seoul Journal. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  13. ^ Knox, Lawrence Elizabeth (March 29, 2017). "Connor Walsh: Houston Ballet's Yes Man". Arts and Culture Texas. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  14. ^ David Bain (February 22, 2006). "Brian Maloney Soloist, The Royal Ballet". The Ballet Association. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  15. ^ "Jonathan Jordan". www.balletmet.org. Ballet Met.
  16. ^ Thygesen, Peter (April 28, 2022). "Ballerinaen med den skarptslebne teknik danser af". Politiken. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  17. ^ Brandt, Amy (July 28, 2010). "Take Your Tendus Overseas". Pointe Magazine. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  18. ^ Loeffler-Gladstone, Nicole (June 1, 2015). "Taking Control: Dana Genshaft Reflects on her Unique Training Path". Pointe Magazine. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  19. ^ "Dragoş Mihalcea". www.dance.utah.edu. University of Utah.
  20. ^ Squires, Pamela (June 29, 1994). "Kirov's Grand Coming-Out". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  21. ^ Sang-hee, Han (June 10, 2009). "East Meets West in UBC Ballet Chun-hyang". The Korea Times. Retrieved June 4, 2023.

See also