Dancers who aspire to perform in the great classical ballets are required to know what is called, Character Dance. In multiple act classical ballets, there are sections where folk dances from various countries in Europe are part of the choreography. Character dance is not something you would normally associate with Verb Ballets. Many dancers today have not received that training or have not studied it to an advanced level. Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director of Verb Ballets, wanted to bring the character variations into the repertory to provide a deeper education for our dancers. Character training helps bring stylistic detail to classical and contemporary roles and develops the coordination required to become a versatile dancer.
Dr. Carlson met Inna Stabrova when she immigrated to the United States in the 1990’s. Dr. Carlson was then the Director of the University of Akron’s School of Dance and felt Inna was a perfect match to supplement the students’ training. So began a long friendship. Inna was a former principal dancer with the Eifman Ballet. Her first education began at the Odessa State Choreographic Institute in Ukraine. She then went on to graduate with her Masters in Choreography from The Vaganova State Academy of Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia. After graduation, she received a teaching certification in Character Dance from Bella Ojegova.
Inna Stabrova set two character works on the company to debut on the Going Solo program. The men will dance a Spanish Jota and the full company will dance a Ukrainian folk dance.
Going Solo February 26, 2021 7pm ET
Available to stream 48hours
Inna Stabrova
Inna Stabrova not only has the reputation of being a gifted teacher, but she was an exceptional dancer as well. Inna was a former principal dancer with the Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg, Russia. As a principal dancer, she traveled internationally to perform in over sixteen countries. Another acclaimed milestone in her professional dancing career was starring as Viola in the ballet-movie of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
Inna’s first education, which laid the foundation for which her former career is attributed, began at the Odessa State Choreographic Institute in Ukraine. Inna graduated with her Masters in Choreography from The Vaganova State Academy of Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia. After graduation, she continued her study for the teaching certification in Character Dance with Bella Ojegova.
In 1990, Inna moved to the United States in the pursuit of a teaching career. Her teaching credits include: The University of Akron, The Dance Institute of the University of Akron, Cleveland School for the Arts, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and many more. She went on to co-found the Ohio Conservatory of Dance and youth company. Her students have gone on to join professional companies including Ballet Met, Pennsylvania Ballet, Pacific North West Ballet and many more. In addition to those achievements, several of her dancers have been winners of the Youth American Grand Prix, NY finalist to International Competition Youth America Grand Prix and won World Ballet Art Competition Grand Prix.
