Kirov Academy of Ballet of Washington, DC Review

The Kirov prepares not only quality Vaganova based ballet training, but also provides a supportive and kind staff. Their ability to connect with their students was apparent to me within a few days. They have high standards for instruction but also understand the importance of knowing kids. Their communication is always done with such thoughtfulness and efficiency. I never had to wait long for a response regardless of how busy the staff was at that time. I was also always treated with respect no matter how small or strange the question. I really felt valued as a parent. The best part was my daughter left The Kirov summer intensive a better and more confident dancer.

The Kirov Academy is a Great School , with a caring and loving Staff. The school has a wonderful history and a strong Alumni . Past Students and Graduates are performing in major ballet companies all over the World ,as Corp members , Soloist and Principal dancers. Many of them that have retired from there dance careers have become Doctors , Lawyers ,CEOs, Business Owners even Movie Stars. The school has had a 100% of students graduating and going onto great careers .

I attended a student performance and was unexpectedly moved to tears by the purity and integrity of the artists and their transcendent presentation. The Vaganova method is not for all dancers but Kirov Academy is a brilliant light in our nation's capital, upholding the standard of this demanding art form. Every Kirov graduate blesses the world with sublime beauty honed by inestimable hours of sacrifice and discipline-not in isolation, but surrounded and supported by a team of uncommonly dedicated teachers and staff.

Kirov is a money-making academy that deserves no stars !!!

As a parent, you invest so much money into this school in hopes that your child can have a bright future ... only to have amateur individuals pretend like they have the best interest of your child at heart.

The head of the Resident Life department, Andrea Pfister, is the definition of unprofessional. She has disrespected students as well as her Resident Advisors on many occasions, which I have witnessed first hand while visiting the academy. It seems that she is unable to voice her thoughts without being rude, loud and belittling. Both students and staff have reported the inappropriate behavior to Pamela Cordova, the executive director, but I am most certain that there were no repercussions because Andrea continues to conduct herself in the same unethical manner.

The most worrisome part of it all is that these children are exposed to such an unhealthy environment. They can not be successful in this academy with such poor leadership.

I WILL NOT reconsider this academy for any child of mine.

Kirov is a place for the serious ballet student, and few schools in the US that can match it in terms of teaching and care of full-time academy students. Kirov instructors pay attention to all students, not just the best ones. My 15-year old daughter has been in the academy for 3 years, and she has grown tremendously, not only in technical ability but in artistry and emotional understanding of her craft. Kirov, like any ballet school, has had its ups and down. But we have always appreciated the deep commitment of the teachers and staff.

My daughter loved so much her Summer Intensive at the Kirov Academy! She loved all!! She had such an incredible experience and she was so grateful to have such a hight level of training! She loved her teachers . She blossomed socially and made great friends !
The food was as well delicious and all the staff working there were incredibly sweet and helpful!
So she can t wait to be back for the year around !
She found her Ballet family and we are so grateful
Thank you Kirov Academy!

If I could give this school less than 1 star I would. My daughter attended the 2019 Summer Intensive and it was truly horrible. Her ballet teacher only spoke Russian and would become upset if no one understood her. I complained to the director and was told it was my daughters fault. This wasn't the worst of it. The teacher only taught to about 3 girls in the class, only speaking to them (in Russian) only using them to demonstrate, only using them to dance, making everyone else stand on the side to watch. These same girls were given solos in all the performances or variations they did. Again, I spoke to the director who promised me she was looking into it and the other parents had complained as well. She also told me that particular teacher wouldn't be invited back to teach, little help to my daughter this year. Nothing changed the whole 6 weeks. My daughter, who was very enthusiastic to learn, learned NOTHING here, waste of time, waste of money. DO NOT attend this SI. I can only assume the school is the same.

I would really give this school a -5 = NEGATIVE 5 if I could. It's a waste of your time and money. The teachers are partial, they pick their preference, this usually means the girls with a "Russian look" receive much better treatment than the rest of the class. There are other local schools in this area, cost one tenth of what Kirov costs. I would recommend dance elsewhere, but use your money for private lessons. By the way, their ballet camp is mediocre.

What a beautiful place filled with amazing history of its founding!!

Kirov was the only school this summer that went through all the hoops to provide an in-person intensive. Kudos! They succeeded despite many obstacles and my daughter gained valuable skills in a classroom, where dancers need to be.