In operation since March 2000, the Bolshoi Theater School in Brazil, located in the city of Joinville, in the State of Santa Catarina, is the first and only branch of the famous Moscow School outside Russia.
The Joinville school has shown itself to be a true extension of the Moscow Choreography School, having adopted the Russian Vaganova technique and methodology as well as the excellence criteria which enables the formation of internationally renowned stars such as Vladimir Vasiliev, Ekaterina Maximova, Maya Plitzeskaya and many others.
Of all the countries vying for the school headquarters, Brazil was the one chosen from among such countries as the USA and Japan. The Brazilian experience will serve as a reference model for other countries.
The Project of the Bolshoi Theater School in Brazil is not just for the purpose of opening the doors to the world of art through the professional formation of ballet artists, it wants to go beyond this, and reach those who have never dreamt of having the chance of being part of the art world and to develop, through them, citizens who not only have a comprehensive education but are more aware of what is around them.
Following the same socially orientated philosophy of the Moscow School – founded in 1773, whose first young students were orphans – the Brazilian School is repeating the experience of the Russian one two centuries later.
95% of the approximately 300 students who receive free studies, food, uniform, transport, emergency medical aid and physiotherapy are scholarship holders from low income families and from the municipal schools in Joinville.
The new scholarship students entering the School each year are classified from among the more than 119 thousand students from the public school system, aged between 8 and 11 years of age. The rest of the students come from other Brazilian states and neighboring countries, selected through classifying exams conducted by the School annually.
During the half-day when they are at the School, the children not only have the subjects that are part of the general technical formation program such as classical dance, drama preparation and practice, musical and rhythmic education, breathing gymnastics, popular historical dances, etc., but they also have lessons in hygiene, nutrition and general education as well as a Library with internet access and a Cultural Space for showing dance videos during class breaks. The daily life of the students is made up of innumerous pedagogical activities such as the acting of plays, taking care of nature in addition to internal poetry, phrase and other competitions.
The Bolshoi Theater School in Brazil
Corporate Communication
Journalists Albenize Ballen / Christiane Dunzer
Centreventos Cau Hansen
Av. José Vieira, 315 – Joinville / SC
89.204 – 110
Phone: +55 (47) 3422-4070 / Exts. 221/232
Fax: + 55 (47) 3422-4070 / Ext. 236
imprensa@escolabolshoi.com.br