Diablo Ballet’s Apprentice Program is a highly competitive program offering intense training to young dancers who have outstanding potential. This program, which is open only by audition, offers participants extensive preparation for the working world of professional dance by providing ballet instruction taught by professional dancers, professional performance experience in conjunction with Diablo Ballet, and the opportunity to participate in regional and international competitions. Apprentice dancers appear annually in a highly popular production of the Nutcracker, presented jointly by Diablo Ballet and Walnut Creek Civic Arts Education. In addition to rigorous training, participants in the Apprentice Program enjoy the excitement of close contact with a professional company, a unique and invaluable experience in preparation for their professional careers.

In October 2005, the Diablo Ballet Apprentice Dancers placed first in the pre-professional division of the Dance Under the Stars Choreography Competition in Palm Desert, California. Four of the Apprentice Dancers, who participated at the 2007 and 2008 Youth America Grand Prix Competitions, were awarded Grand Prix, 1st place, 2nd place as well as finishing in the top 12. In a recent review, The San Francisco Chronicle said, “These strong, confident girls are clearly receiving terrific training.” Dance View West Magazine said, “Diablo Ballet has developed an impressive Apprentice Program, whose young women showed fine training. Apprentices don’t often get opportunities like this. Yet for a small company like Diablo, they could be a valuable resources, provided they are as good as these young women were.”

Training
Under the directorship of company choreographer, Viktor Kabaniaev and company member, Tina Kay Bohnstedt, the class participates in an extensive schedule of daily classes, rehearsals and performances. In addition to daily technique class, the dancers also participate in repertory and pointe classes. The dancers (ages 11-18) are handpicked by Mr. Kabaniaev and Ms. Bohnstedt.

Viktor Kabaniaev was trained at the famed Vaganova School in St. Petersburg, Russia. He has worked as a principal dancer in various ballet companies in the former Soviet Union, including Leningrad State Ballet Theatre under the directorship of Mr. Boris Eifman, the Jacobson Foundation and the Russian Ballet. Since first appearing with Diablo Ballet in September of 1996, he has danced several principal roles including the Bronze Idol Solo from La Bayadere, George Balanchine's Sylvia Pas de Deux, the Pas de Deux from Stars and Stripes, Tarantella Pas de Deux and Who Cares? In 2004, Mr. Kabaniaev won first prize in the “Third International Serge Diaghilev Competition of Choreographic Art” in Gdynia, Poland. In 2005, he won first prize in both the pre-professional and professional divisions at the “Dance Under the Stars Competition” in Palm Desert, California. Mr. Kabaniaev has created two world premieres for Cincinnati Ballet and served as a coach at the 2006 International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. He’s a company teacher and Resident Choreographer for Diablo Ballet. Mr. Kabaniaev has choreographed eight world premieres for the Company. In September 2005, he and Tina Kay Bohnstedt were named directors of Diablo Ballet’s Apprentice Program.

Tina Kay Bohnstedt received her training at the Heinz-Bosl Academy in Munich, Germany. From 1989 to 1998, she was a member of the Bavarian National Ballet in Munich. While in Munich, Ms. Bohnstedt performed a wide range of soloist and principal roles including Juliet in John Cranko's Romeo and Juliet, Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Kitri in Don Quixote, Lise in Frederick Ashton's La Fille Mal Gardee and Gamzatti in La Bayadere. Additionally, she has danced principal roles in the ballets of George Balanchine, John Neumeier and Hans Van Manen and toured extensively to China, the Philippines, Korea, Spain, Poland, Italy and Switzerland. Ms. Bohnstedt made her debut with Diablo Ballet in September 1999. Since then she has been featured in various ballets by world-renowned choreographers. In September 2005, she and Viktor Kabaniaev were named directors of Diablo Ballet’s Apprentice Program. In May 2007, Ms. Bohnstedt created her own work for Diablo Ballet entitled The Mirror. It was received with public and audience acclaim. 

Classes begin September 2, 2008 and are located at Civic Arts Education, 111 N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek and Studio D at Civic Park. For more information, please call Diablo Ballet at (925) 943-1775, ext. 3 or Civic Arts Education at (925) 943-5846.

Drop-in available for technique classes only. Full program meets 6 days per week.

To register online, click here:

SCHEDULE:

Monday
4:00-5:30 PM	Technique/V. Kabaniaev/Dance Studio Shadelands
5:30-7:00 PM	Repertory/V. Kabaniaev/Dance Studio Shadelands
Tuesday
4:00-5:30 PM	Technique/T. Bohnstedt/Studio D Civic Park
5:30-6:30 PM	Pointe/T. Bohnstedt/Studio D Civic Park
Wednesday
4:00-5:30 PM	Technique/V. Kabaniaev/Dance Studio Shadelands
Thursday
4:00-5:30 PM	Technique/T. Bohnstedt/Studio D Civic Park
5:30-6:30 PM	Pointe/T. Bohnstedt/Studio D Civic Park
Friday
5:15-6:45 PM	Technique/V. Kabaniaev/Dance Studio Shadelands
6:45-7:45 PM	Variations/Repertory/V. Kabaniaev/Dance Studio Shadelands
Sunday
12:00-1:30 PM	Technique/V. Kabaniaev/Dance Studio
1:30-3:00 PM	Variations/Repertory/T. Bohnstedt/Dance Studio