Chapter 1
Have you ever felt like you were the worst at something? That you were terrible at it? After you did that thing, you just went to the bathroom and cried? Then, you would ask yourself, “Why don’t I just quit?” You tell yourself, “Yes, I’ll quit! I won’t do it again!” However, the next day you find yourself in the same place again. You’re not forced to do that. You’re not forced to go back. You go back because you love it. You are determined to get better. That is how eleven-year-old Olya felt every day in her ballet classes. She had done rhythmic gymnastics for 7 years. She quit when she was ten. She just didn’t have a passion for it anymore. She worked hard to get her pointe shoes throughout the year hoped to audition for Vaganova Ballet Academy (VBA) when they held their auditions. That was one of the best ballet schools, not only in all of Russia, but in the whole world! She had good flexibility, pretty good arches, and good turnout. Why not give it a shot? She went with her friend Anastasiya/Anna and some other friends from her ballet school in Kalingrad to audition. Before she knew it, she was on the train to St.Petersburg with her mom Ekatrina to audition for a spot at the prestigious Vaganova Ballet Academy.
Chapter 2
Olya and Anna were two very different girls. Olya had blonde hair and blue eyes. Anna had brown hair and blue eyes. Olya’s hair was curly and Anna’s was straight. Anna had natural talent and Olya only had what she had gotten from rhythmic gymnastics. However, they both worked very, very hard to succeed, and they were best friends.
When the two girls got to VBA they were amazed. It was huge! It was better than they had imagined. When they came in, the girls there were stretching. Some were tall and some were shorter, but they were all amazing! The girls put their bags down and started stretching.
After a few minutes of stretching, Olya told Anna, “Я собираюсь получить немного воды. Я вернусь через секунду.” (I am going to get some water. I will be back in a second.)
“Хорошо” (Okay) responded Anna.
“Ты хочешь, чтобы я пошел с тобой?” (Do you want me to go with you?)
“нет. все будет хорошо” (No, I’ll be fine) responded Olya. She went to get some water at the water fountain and walked into the bathroom. “Should I really do this?” she thought. “All of these girls are so good! I’ll never be as good as them” Then, she remembered what her mother told her before she walked in.
“вы можете сделать это” (You can do this) She could, then even if she couldn’t, she was eleven. That was as old as they would take her. She had to try. She walked out to where the other girls were. She started stretching again.
“ты в порядке?” (Are you okay?) asked Anna.
“да,” said Olya. (Yes)
Chapter 3
A little bit later, a teacher told them to come into the studio. Olya was super nervous, but she knew she had to try. If she didn’t, her whole life would be what if’s. What if I auditioned, what if I made it, what if I was good enough… What if she didn’t try? She walked into the studio with the other girls. They did their reverence and went to the barre. Some teachers were sitting behind a long table watching the girls. Then, there was one teacher teaching the class. The teacher who was giving the class was Elena Poryvkina. As they did the class the teachers by the table were whispering and pointing. Were they pointing at her? Was it good or bad? She stopped asking herself the questions and focused on the combination and things she needed to fix. After the last exercise at the barre they did a class in center starting with plies. Then they got to the hardest combination in center… adagio. They had to hold their leg up for 8 slow counts twice to the front, twice to the side, twice to the the back, and again, twice to the side.
As Olya was doing it she heard other girls dropping their legs, unable to balance. She focused on herself. Concentrated, making sure she held her leg. She took a breath on the eight count and raised her leg an inch higher before lightly taking it to the ground. She felt herself shaking but did not let her leg drop. She tried not to look at the teachers whispering because she knew she would lose her balance. Olya could tell that Anna wasn’t dropping her leg. She was perfect. Finally, adagio was over and they did jumps. Olya was actually pretty good at jumps. She could go high. She started with sottes and then the class was over. They went out to drink some water. After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, one of the judges came out to call the names of the girls who didn’t pass the first round. Many girls went out crying. However, Anna and Olya were not one of them! They just needed to pass the second and the third round to be able to get into Vaganova Ballet Academy.
Chapter 4
During the second and third rounds the girls went in one by one for the judges to see their flexibility. When it was Olya’s turn Ms.Poryvkina stretched her back and her hamstrings. The teachers were all whispering to the head of the Vaganova Selection Committee, Zhanna Ayupova. Anna and Olya whispered to each other about how their stretching in the second round went. Anna said it went pretty well and they did the same stretches as they did to Olya. They both crossed their fingers and hoped they made it past the second round. They spoke with some of the other girls and asked them how it went as well. All of the girls were just hopeful they had made it. Then there was a small group of girls whispering to each other in a circle that the two girls hadn’t spoken to yet. They kept laughing and looking and pointing to the other girls.
“Возможно, мы не хотим их встречать,” said Anna. (maybe we don't want to meet them yet.)
In round three Olya went in and they asked to see her sautes again and her polka in a diagonal. They asked for a few other jumps and things across the floor. Then they told her that she could go and they would tell her the results in a few minutes.
“Спасибо,” said Olya. (Thank you) Anna and Olya were both super anxious to hear the results. Then, they finally came. They came with two papers.
“Here are the ones they made it” she said pointing at a paper.
“Here are the ones that didn’t,” she said, pointing at another paper. A few girls went off running to their parents saying, “Look, look I made it.” Then some other girls went through the door crying. Anna went running to her mom saying,
“Mama, mama, I made it! I made it!” However, Olya went to her mom and a tear ran down her face. “Mama, look…”
Chapter 5
They sat down with Zhanna Ayupova.
“Она потрясающая танцовщица” (She is an amazing dancer) she told them.
“В прошлом танцоры не выросли из-за гимнастики” (in the past dancers haven't grown because of gymnastics) Olya understood completely. She knew that because of gymnastics it may stunt your growth. She had made it onto the waiting list and hoped they may be able to take her.
“Возьмите ее, если сможете” (Take her if you can) said Olya’s mom. Zhanna nodded her head and told Olya,
“Не плачь, ты очень красивая танцовщица” (Don't cry, you are a very beautiful dancer)
“Спасибо” responded Olya. (Thank you)
Then, they boarded the train back to Kalingrad, Hoping that the school would call them and say she had been accepted.
Chapter 6
A few days later, Ekatrina received a call from Vaganova Ballet Academy.
“Привет, это Жанна Аюпова, и я позвонил, чтобы сообщить вам, что ваша дочь Оля Моргулец была принята в Академию балета Вагановой” (Hi, this is Zhanna Ayupova, and I called to inform you that your daughter Olya Morgulets was admitted to the Vaganova Ballet Academy) Olya jumped for joy! She was going! She was going! She was admitted to one of the best ballet schools in the world! She almost started crying. It was like a dream come true. She called Anna right away. Anna was very happy as well. In a few days, Olya and her mother were on the train to St.Petersburg.
Chapter 7
When they got off the train Olya gave Anna a big hug! When she went back to her mom she said,
“О, черт возьми, это Николай Цискаридзе” (Oh my gosh, it is Nikolay Tsiskaridze) Anna and Olya gave their mothers a hug and walked into the Vaganova School. They looked at their schedule in the boarding school.
They have to get up before 9:30am so that they have time to get ready for their technique class, plus they should stretch before their class. Then they have their academic classes. In academic classes they learn history, algebra, geometry, geography, biology, Russian language and literature, French, English, physics, chemistry, music, music history and ballet history. Sometimes academics and ballet intersect, as when students are required to write essays about their technical mistakes. Then they have another dance class. On some evenings when they are preparing for a show they have rehearsal at 5:00pm.
9:30–11:00 am: ballet technique
11:00 am–1:00 pm: academic subjects
1:00 pm: lunch
2:00 pm: character dance or dance history
4:00 pm: academic subjects
5:00 pm: rehearsal
“ ты готов к завтра?” (Are you ready for tomorrow?) asked Anna.
“да” (Yes) responded Olya. They went to their room and unpacked their things. Then they found out that some of the mean girls also made it, but not all. They overheard one of the girls saying,
“Грустно, что Галина не прошла” (It's sad that Galina did not pass) Then another girl with red hair and blue eyes said,
“Конечно, она не прошла. Я знал, что она этого не сделает. У нее не было таланта.” (Of course, she did not pass. I knew that she would not do it. She did not have the talent.) Anna and Olya looked at each other. Was this girl really THAT mean. She would talk bad about her friend behind her back? They knew they had to stay away from her. Lights out was at 10:00 pm so by then, they were asleep.
Chapter 8
At 7:30 am, Anna and Olya woke up. Some girls were already awake and some were still asleep. The two girls had breakfast and changed into their light blue leotards. They did not wear tights so the teachers could make sure they are using the right muscles. Instead, they wore tight material socks and ballet shoes. They made friends with a girl named Masha. She got up with them. They were already stretching before class.The mean girl (who’s name was Viktoriya) came in three minutes before class! The girls could not believe it! Then, she didn’t even stretch. One of her friends asked if they should stretch. Viktoriya said, “Why, I have natural talent. There is no need.” The same girl who asked was the one who asked about Galina. She said she was going to get water, but Anna and Olya looked at each other when they saw that she actually went to stretch. She was smart. Olya thought. But, she didn’t say anything.
Chapter 9
Elena Poryvkina came to teach their class and of course as in the past in Kalingrad, the teacher asked Anna to demonstrate the across the floor combination. Ballet walks, Marches, Ballet runs, etc. While they were doing the combination, Mrs. Poryvkina told Olya she was too tense.
“That is why they didn’t want to take you.” she said. “I told them she is a smart, smart girl and that you would stop being tense.” then she taught her how to relax and still keep her posture without being tense. Her first class and she was already learning. She loved the academy.
Olya was very smart so the classes in academics were very easy for her. In the next ballet class, Mrs. Poryvkina said they were going to do the nutcracker in the winter and depending on how they were doing in class they would cast them. It was Olya’s dream to be Maria (Clara in Russia) in the “Nutcracker.” She hoped that if she worked hard enough she would be able to get the role of Maria.
Chapter 10
Before the girls knew it, it was already close to Christmas time. The girls were almost like a family. There was only one problem, Viktoriya. She was always picking on the other girls, especially Olya. The only girls she didn’t pick on were her friends and Anna.
One of the girls named Kristina, had stopped hanging out with Viktoriya by the Winter. Olya knew that it was because Kristina had come to the realization that being friends with Viktoriya and not stretching or practicing wasn’t going to help help her get better.
A few teachers came to watch Olya and Anna’s class one day. Olya had been working very hard. She was hoping they would notice her her. A few days after the class they told them who got each role. Olya looked at the paper. Anna had gotten Maria. She knew deep down that she would get it the whole time. But, wait, Olya had gotten the Maria understudy. She was soooo close.
She went to find Anna. She gave her a big hug, but, inside she felt sad. She knew there was a very slim chance of something happening to Anna so she couldn’t perform. She was happy for her friend, but she was still sad.
Then, she went to their empty room. She texted her mom and told her that she was the Maria understudy and a doll in the Nutcracker. Her mother congratulated her and said she missed her. Olya missed her mom too. Some days she and Anna would cry because they missed their mothers. Her mother said she would come see them in the Mariinsky Theater. Right then, Viktoriya came into the room. “Кукла!” (A doll!) she said, outraged to her friend Varvara. They looked at Olya. Viktoriya glared at her and rolled her eyes.
“Если кто-то заслужил роль Мариa, это был я” (If anyone deserved the role of Maria it was me) she said angrily. Olya defended her friend and said,
“Анна получила роль Мариa, и она заслужила это” (Anna got the role of Maria, and she deserved it.” Viktoriya rolled her eyes.
“Пожалуйста, как вы заслужили дублера” (Please, like you deserved the understudy.)
Olya looked away.
“Все в нашем классе получили куклу” (Everyone in our class got a doll) she said. Viktoriya rolled her eyes again and left the room.
Varvara looked at Olya and rolled her eyes and left the room, following Viktoriya. However, you could tell that she was only following along with what her friend was doing.
Olya shook her head. She got ready for her academic classes and went to see Anna.
Chapter 11
At 5:00, the girls went to rehearse. They saw Vera, she was playing the Sugar Plum Fairy. She was amazing at ballet. Olya hoped she could be as good as her one day. As rehearsal went on Anna did a great job as Maria. Olya learned Anna’s part since she was the understudy. Olya also learned her doll piece.
She received many compliments and some corrections. Olya always applied her corrections. That was why all of the teachers loved her. After rehearsal they went to sleep.
Chapter 12
The next months went by very quickly for Olya. Then, soon it was time for the “Nutcracker.” Everyone did an amazing job. Olya was very excited to see her mother. She hadn’t seen her in so long!
“Вы сделали такую хорошую работу!” (You did such an good job!) she said. Ekatrina was soooo proud of her daughter. So was Alexander, (Olya’s Father)
Anna was also very happy to see her parents! The show was a success!!!
Chapter 13
Before they knew it, it was time for the exam. The organized groups had always been, Anna, Masha, and Viktoriya, in the first group. (The teachers thought they had been the best. Then, suddenly Mrs. Poryvkina said,
“Olya, I want you in the first group. Viktoriya, can you change to the second group?” The two girls were very surprised. Viktoriya was very angry, but she didn’t show it in front of Mrs. Poryvkina. Olya came to the front, and Viktoriya moved to the second group. Anna looked at Olya and smiled.
“Finally!” thought Olya. Her hard work was paying off. Little, by little.
Chapter 14
All of the girls passed Vaganova Level 1! Just barely though. After the exam Mrs. Poryvkina called Viktoriya over. The girls didn’t hear, but all of them knew she needed to work harder. In Level 2, Viktoriya stretched before class and worked with resistance bands after class. If she didn’t she would probably be kicked out of Vaganova Ballet Academy.
Chapter 15
In the middle of Vaganova Level 2 Viktoriya was meaner than usual. Her main target was not Olya anymore, just some of the other girls.
However, Olya always defended them and many of the other girls didn’t care about her rude remarks.
Then, after class one day, Olya was passing their room and she heard someone crying. She went in to comfort them, but, that person… was Viktoriya! She was sobbing! Varavara her best friend and she was hugging her.
“Виктория, ты в порядке?” (Viktoriya, are you okay?) asked Olya.
Viktoriya stood up. Her face was stained with tears and her eyes were red.
“Это не твое дело” (It is none of your business) she said walking out of the room. Varvara followed her and whispered to Olya,
“Viktoriya’s parents are divorcing.”
Chapter 16
Olya didn’t tell anybody about Viktoriya, since she knew it was not her place. The next day, she went to Viktoriya and told her,
“Я сожалею о ваших родителях. Я просто хочу, чтобы вы знали, что все здесь для вас, если вы хотите поговорить” (I'm sorry about your parents. I just want you to know that everyone is here for you if you want to talk) Viktoriya looked down and then looked into Olya’s eyes,
“Спасибо,” she said. (Thank you)
Then, she walked away, and looked back then, Olya saw a soft smile appear, as she turned around again.
6 years later
Chapter 17
(Vaganova Level Eight)
“Оля, Анна, Виктория, Маша, вы можете продемонстрировать? (Olya, Anna, Viktoriya, Masha, can you demonstrate?) The four girls nodded and demonstrated the combination.
“Красивый,” (Beautiful) said Mrs. Portyvkina.
“Спасибо, девочки” (Thank you girls)
After class the four girls walked out together. Varvara walked up to them.
“Кто-нибудь из вас прослушивается в Большом балете?” (Are any of you auditioning for the Bolshoi Ballet?)
“Да, мы все,” said Olya. (Yes, we all are.)
“Ты?” (Are you?) asked Viktoriya.
“Нет, может быть, в следующем году. Ну удачи!” (No, maybe next year. Well, good luck!) said Varvara walking away. The girls waved.
Chapter 18
The girls went to audition. They were super nervous. They all went in a did the class. The next day they would find out who made it and who didn’t.
All of the girls woke up very anxious. They went to the Bolshoi and looked at the paper. All of their names were on the list of who made it! The girls hugged each other. It was really happening! They had made it into the Bolshoi Ballet! It was a dream come true.
Chapter 19
A few days after they auditioned for the Bolshoi and got in they auditioned for the show they were doing. Sleeping Beauty! Olya hoped with all of her heart she would get Aurora. Doing the Rose Adagio and a Pas de Deux with the prince was such an amazing opportunity! The girls auditioned and were told to do many different things. The Olya and Anna didn’t know it, but all eyes were on them during the whole audition. The girls hoped they would double cast it. In The Nutcracker at VBA in the girls’ second year Olya was Clara one day, and Anna the other.
Soon it was time for them to find out the roles.
“В этом году мы двойного литья” (This year we are double-casting) said the teacher.
“ The Lilac Fairy will be, Olya and Anna,” the girls were so excited but didn’t over react so they wouldn’t make the other girls feel bad.
“The fairy, Violente, will be Viktoriya Rostanova and Valeriya,”It was not Aurora, but Viktoriya had always wanted to be Violente!
“While one is Violente the other will be Coulante,” said the teacher. Viktoriya was super excited!
“Next, Masha Danilova and Alexandra, will be Candite and Miettes qui Tombent.” Masha was soooo excited the fairies were AMAZING roles!
After a few other roles were called it finally came down to who was Aurora. The teacher said,
“As Aurora will be… Anna and Olya,” WHAT! The two girls were going to be Aurora together.
They hugged. All four girls were about to become principal dancers at the Bolshoi Ballet!
With ballet you don’t see improvement day to day. However, you need to keep working. Then one day you might see a glimpse of improvement, then another.
If you work hard and never give up,
Anything is possible.
Have you ever felt like you were the worst at something? That you were terrible at it? After you did that thing, you just went to the bathroom and cried? Then, you would ask yourself, “Why don’t I just quit?” You tell yourself, “Yes, I’ll quit! I won’t do it again!” However, the next day you find yourself in the same place again. You’re not forced to do that. You’re not forced to go back. You go back because you love it. You are determined to get better. That is how eleven-year-old Olya felt every day in her ballet classes. She had done rhythmic gymnastics for 7 years. She quit when she was ten. She just didn’t have a passion for it anymore. She worked hard to get her pointe shoes throughout the year hoped to audition for Vaganova Ballet Academy (VBA) when they held their auditions. That was one of the best ballet schools, not only in all of Russia, but in the whole world! She had good flexibility, pretty good arches, and good turnout. Why not give it a shot? She went with her friend Anastasiya/Anna and some other friends from her ballet school in Kalingrad to audition. Before she knew it, she was on the train to St.Petersburg with her mom Ekatrina to audition for a spot at the prestigious Vaganova Ballet Academy.
Chapter 2
Olya and Anna were two very different girls. Olya had blonde hair and blue eyes. Anna had brown hair and blue eyes. Olya’s hair was curly and Anna’s was straight. Anna had natural talent and Olya only had what she had gotten from rhythmic gymnastics. However, they both worked very, very hard to succeed, and they were best friends.
When the two girls got to VBA they were amazed. It was huge! It was better than they had imagined. When they came in, the girls there were stretching. Some were tall and some were shorter, but they were all amazing! The girls put their bags down and started stretching.
After a few minutes of stretching, Olya told Anna, “Я собираюсь получить немного воды. Я вернусь через секунду.” (I am going to get some water. I will be back in a second.)
“Хорошо” (Okay) responded Anna.
“Ты хочешь, чтобы я пошел с тобой?” (Do you want me to go with you?)
“нет. все будет хорошо” (No, I’ll be fine) responded Olya. She went to get some water at the water fountain and walked into the bathroom. “Should I really do this?” she thought. “All of these girls are so good! I’ll never be as good as them” Then, she remembered what her mother told her before she walked in.
“вы можете сделать это” (You can do this) She could, then even if she couldn’t, she was eleven. That was as old as they would take her. She had to try. She walked out to where the other girls were. She started stretching again.
“ты в порядке?” (Are you okay?) asked Anna.
“да,” said Olya. (Yes)
Chapter 3
A little bit later, a teacher told them to come into the studio. Olya was super nervous, but she knew she had to try. If she didn’t, her whole life would be what if’s. What if I auditioned, what if I made it, what if I was good enough… What if she didn’t try? She walked into the studio with the other girls. They did their reverence and went to the barre. Some teachers were sitting behind a long table watching the girls. Then, there was one teacher teaching the class. The teacher who was giving the class was Elena Poryvkina. As they did the class the teachers by the table were whispering and pointing. Were they pointing at her? Was it good or bad? She stopped asking herself the questions and focused on the combination and things she needed to fix. After the last exercise at the barre they did a class in center starting with plies. Then they got to the hardest combination in center… adagio. They had to hold their leg up for 8 slow counts twice to the front, twice to the side, twice to the the back, and again, twice to the side.
As Olya was doing it she heard other girls dropping their legs, unable to balance. She focused on herself. Concentrated, making sure she held her leg. She took a breath on the eight count and raised her leg an inch higher before lightly taking it to the ground. She felt herself shaking but did not let her leg drop. She tried not to look at the teachers whispering because she knew she would lose her balance. Olya could tell that Anna wasn’t dropping her leg. She was perfect. Finally, adagio was over and they did jumps. Olya was actually pretty good at jumps. She could go high. She started with sottes and then the class was over. They went out to drink some water. After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, one of the judges came out to call the names of the girls who didn’t pass the first round. Many girls went out crying. However, Anna and Olya were not one of them! They just needed to pass the second and the third round to be able to get into Vaganova Ballet Academy.
Chapter 4
During the second and third rounds the girls went in one by one for the judges to see their flexibility. When it was Olya’s turn Ms.Poryvkina stretched her back and her hamstrings. The teachers were all whispering to the head of the Vaganova Selection Committee, Zhanna Ayupova. Anna and Olya whispered to each other about how their stretching in the second round went. Anna said it went pretty well and they did the same stretches as they did to Olya. They both crossed their fingers and hoped they made it past the second round. They spoke with some of the other girls and asked them how it went as well. All of the girls were just hopeful they had made it. Then there was a small group of girls whispering to each other in a circle that the two girls hadn’t spoken to yet. They kept laughing and looking and pointing to the other girls.
“Возможно, мы не хотим их встречать,” said Anna. (maybe we don't want to meet them yet.)
In round three Olya went in and they asked to see her sautes again and her polka in a diagonal. They asked for a few other jumps and things across the floor. Then they told her that she could go and they would tell her the results in a few minutes.
“Спасибо,” said Olya. (Thank you) Anna and Olya were both super anxious to hear the results. Then, they finally came. They came with two papers.
“Here are the ones they made it” she said pointing at a paper.
“Here are the ones that didn’t,” she said, pointing at another paper. A few girls went off running to their parents saying, “Look, look I made it.” Then some other girls went through the door crying. Anna went running to her mom saying,
“Mama, mama, I made it! I made it!” However, Olya went to her mom and a tear ran down her face. “Mama, look…”
Chapter 5
They sat down with Zhanna Ayupova.
“Она потрясающая танцовщица” (She is an amazing dancer) she told them.
“В прошлом танцоры не выросли из-за гимнастики” (in the past dancers haven't grown because of gymnastics) Olya understood completely. She knew that because of gymnastics it may stunt your growth. She had made it onto the waiting list and hoped they may be able to take her.
“Возьмите ее, если сможете” (Take her if you can) said Olya’s mom. Zhanna nodded her head and told Olya,
“Не плачь, ты очень красивая танцовщица” (Don't cry, you are a very beautiful dancer)
“Спасибо” responded Olya. (Thank you)
Then, they boarded the train back to Kalingrad, Hoping that the school would call them and say she had been accepted.
Chapter 6
A few days later, Ekatrina received a call from Vaganova Ballet Academy.
“Привет, это Жанна Аюпова, и я позвонил, чтобы сообщить вам, что ваша дочь Оля Моргулец была принята в Академию балета Вагановой” (Hi, this is Zhanna Ayupova, and I called to inform you that your daughter Olya Morgulets was admitted to the Vaganova Ballet Academy) Olya jumped for joy! She was going! She was going! She was admitted to one of the best ballet schools in the world! She almost started crying. It was like a dream come true. She called Anna right away. Anna was very happy as well. In a few days, Olya and her mother were on the train to St.Petersburg.
Chapter 7
When they got off the train Olya gave Anna a big hug! When she went back to her mom she said,
“О, черт возьми, это Николай Цискаридзе” (Oh my gosh, it is Nikolay Tsiskaridze) Anna and Olya gave their mothers a hug and walked into the Vaganova School. They looked at their schedule in the boarding school.
They have to get up before 9:30am so that they have time to get ready for their technique class, plus they should stretch before their class. Then they have their academic classes. In academic classes they learn history, algebra, geometry, geography, biology, Russian language and literature, French, English, physics, chemistry, music, music history and ballet history. Sometimes academics and ballet intersect, as when students are required to write essays about their technical mistakes. Then they have another dance class. On some evenings when they are preparing for a show they have rehearsal at 5:00pm.
9:30–11:00 am: ballet technique
11:00 am–1:00 pm: academic subjects
1:00 pm: lunch
2:00 pm: character dance or dance history
4:00 pm: academic subjects
5:00 pm: rehearsal
“ ты готов к завтра?” (Are you ready for tomorrow?) asked Anna.
“да” (Yes) responded Olya. They went to their room and unpacked their things. Then they found out that some of the mean girls also made it, but not all. They overheard one of the girls saying,
“Грустно, что Галина не прошла” (It's sad that Galina did not pass) Then another girl with red hair and blue eyes said,
“Конечно, она не прошла. Я знал, что она этого не сделает. У нее не было таланта.” (Of course, she did not pass. I knew that she would not do it. She did not have the talent.) Anna and Olya looked at each other. Was this girl really THAT mean. She would talk bad about her friend behind her back? They knew they had to stay away from her. Lights out was at 10:00 pm so by then, they were asleep.
Chapter 8
At 7:30 am, Anna and Olya woke up. Some girls were already awake and some were still asleep. The two girls had breakfast and changed into their light blue leotards. They did not wear tights so the teachers could make sure they are using the right muscles. Instead, they wore tight material socks and ballet shoes. They made friends with a girl named Masha. She got up with them. They were already stretching before class.The mean girl (who’s name was Viktoriya) came in three minutes before class! The girls could not believe it! Then, she didn’t even stretch. One of her friends asked if they should stretch. Viktoriya said, “Why, I have natural talent. There is no need.” The same girl who asked was the one who asked about Galina. She said she was going to get water, but Anna and Olya looked at each other when they saw that she actually went to stretch. She was smart. Olya thought. But, she didn’t say anything.
Chapter 9
Elena Poryvkina came to teach their class and of course as in the past in Kalingrad, the teacher asked Anna to demonstrate the across the floor combination. Ballet walks, Marches, Ballet runs, etc. While they were doing the combination, Mrs. Poryvkina told Olya she was too tense.
“That is why they didn’t want to take you.” she said. “I told them she is a smart, smart girl and that you would stop being tense.” then she taught her how to relax and still keep her posture without being tense. Her first class and she was already learning. She loved the academy.
Olya was very smart so the classes in academics were very easy for her. In the next ballet class, Mrs. Poryvkina said they were going to do the nutcracker in the winter and depending on how they were doing in class they would cast them. It was Olya’s dream to be Maria (Clara in Russia) in the “Nutcracker.” She hoped that if she worked hard enough she would be able to get the role of Maria.
Chapter 10
Before the girls knew it, it was already close to Christmas time. The girls were almost like a family. There was only one problem, Viktoriya. She was always picking on the other girls, especially Olya. The only girls she didn’t pick on were her friends and Anna.
One of the girls named Kristina, had stopped hanging out with Viktoriya by the Winter. Olya knew that it was because Kristina had come to the realization that being friends with Viktoriya and not stretching or practicing wasn’t going to help help her get better.
A few teachers came to watch Olya and Anna’s class one day. Olya had been working very hard. She was hoping they would notice her her. A few days after the class they told them who got each role. Olya looked at the paper. Anna had gotten Maria. She knew deep down that she would get it the whole time. But, wait, Olya had gotten the Maria understudy. She was soooo close.
She went to find Anna. She gave her a big hug, but, inside she felt sad. She knew there was a very slim chance of something happening to Anna so she couldn’t perform. She was happy for her friend, but she was still sad.
Then, she went to their empty room. She texted her mom and told her that she was the Maria understudy and a doll in the Nutcracker. Her mother congratulated her and said she missed her. Olya missed her mom too. Some days she and Anna would cry because they missed their mothers. Her mother said she would come see them in the Mariinsky Theater. Right then, Viktoriya came into the room. “Кукла!” (A doll!) she said, outraged to her friend Varvara. They looked at Olya. Viktoriya glared at her and rolled her eyes.
“Если кто-то заслужил роль Мариa, это был я” (If anyone deserved the role of Maria it was me) she said angrily. Olya defended her friend and said,
“Анна получила роль Мариa, и она заслужила это” (Anna got the role of Maria, and she deserved it.” Viktoriya rolled her eyes.
“Пожалуйста, как вы заслужили дублера” (Please, like you deserved the understudy.)
Olya looked away.
“Все в нашем классе получили куклу” (Everyone in our class got a doll) she said. Viktoriya rolled her eyes again and left the room.
Varvara looked at Olya and rolled her eyes and left the room, following Viktoriya. However, you could tell that she was only following along with what her friend was doing.
Olya shook her head. She got ready for her academic classes and went to see Anna.
Chapter 11
At 5:00, the girls went to rehearse. They saw Vera, she was playing the Sugar Plum Fairy. She was amazing at ballet. Olya hoped she could be as good as her one day. As rehearsal went on Anna did a great job as Maria. Olya learned Anna’s part since she was the understudy. Olya also learned her doll piece.
She received many compliments and some corrections. Olya always applied her corrections. That was why all of the teachers loved her. After rehearsal they went to sleep.
Chapter 12
The next months went by very quickly for Olya. Then, soon it was time for the “Nutcracker.” Everyone did an amazing job. Olya was very excited to see her mother. She hadn’t seen her in so long!
“Вы сделали такую хорошую работу!” (You did such an good job!) she said. Ekatrina was soooo proud of her daughter. So was Alexander, (Olya’s Father)
Anna was also very happy to see her parents! The show was a success!!!
Chapter 13
Before they knew it, it was time for the exam. The organized groups had always been, Anna, Masha, and Viktoriya, in the first group. (The teachers thought they had been the best. Then, suddenly Mrs. Poryvkina said,
“Olya, I want you in the first group. Viktoriya, can you change to the second group?” The two girls were very surprised. Viktoriya was very angry, but she didn’t show it in front of Mrs. Poryvkina. Olya came to the front, and Viktoriya moved to the second group. Anna looked at Olya and smiled.
“Finally!” thought Olya. Her hard work was paying off. Little, by little.
Chapter 14
All of the girls passed Vaganova Level 1! Just barely though. After the exam Mrs. Poryvkina called Viktoriya over. The girls didn’t hear, but all of them knew she needed to work harder. In Level 2, Viktoriya stretched before class and worked with resistance bands after class. If she didn’t she would probably be kicked out of Vaganova Ballet Academy.
Chapter 15
In the middle of Vaganova Level 2 Viktoriya was meaner than usual. Her main target was not Olya anymore, just some of the other girls.
However, Olya always defended them and many of the other girls didn’t care about her rude remarks.
Then, after class one day, Olya was passing their room and she heard someone crying. She went in to comfort them, but, that person… was Viktoriya! She was sobbing! Varavara her best friend and she was hugging her.
“Виктория, ты в порядке?” (Viktoriya, are you okay?) asked Olya.
Viktoriya stood up. Her face was stained with tears and her eyes were red.
“Это не твое дело” (It is none of your business) she said walking out of the room. Varvara followed her and whispered to Olya,
“Viktoriya’s parents are divorcing.”
Chapter 16
Olya didn’t tell anybody about Viktoriya, since she knew it was not her place. The next day, she went to Viktoriya and told her,
“Я сожалею о ваших родителях. Я просто хочу, чтобы вы знали, что все здесь для вас, если вы хотите поговорить” (I'm sorry about your parents. I just want you to know that everyone is here for you if you want to talk) Viktoriya looked down and then looked into Olya’s eyes,
“Спасибо,” she said. (Thank you)
Then, she walked away, and looked back then, Olya saw a soft smile appear, as she turned around again.
6 years later
Chapter 17
(Vaganova Level Eight)
“Оля, Анна, Виктория, Маша, вы можете продемонстрировать? (Olya, Anna, Viktoriya, Masha, can you demonstrate?) The four girls nodded and demonstrated the combination.
“Красивый,” (Beautiful) said Mrs. Portyvkina.
“Спасибо, девочки” (Thank you girls)
After class the four girls walked out together. Varvara walked up to them.
“Кто-нибудь из вас прослушивается в Большом балете?” (Are any of you auditioning for the Bolshoi Ballet?)
“Да, мы все,” said Olya. (Yes, we all are.)
“Ты?” (Are you?) asked Viktoriya.
“Нет, может быть, в следующем году. Ну удачи!” (No, maybe next year. Well, good luck!) said Varvara walking away. The girls waved.
Chapter 18
The girls went to audition. They were super nervous. They all went in a did the class. The next day they would find out who made it and who didn’t.
All of the girls woke up very anxious. They went to the Bolshoi and looked at the paper. All of their names were on the list of who made it! The girls hugged each other. It was really happening! They had made it into the Bolshoi Ballet! It was a dream come true.
Chapter 19
A few days after they auditioned for the Bolshoi and got in they auditioned for the show they were doing. Sleeping Beauty! Olya hoped with all of her heart she would get Aurora. Doing the Rose Adagio and a Pas de Deux with the prince was such an amazing opportunity! The girls auditioned and were told to do many different things. The Olya and Anna didn’t know it, but all eyes were on them during the whole audition. The girls hoped they would double cast it. In The Nutcracker at VBA in the girls’ second year Olya was Clara one day, and Anna the other.
Soon it was time for them to find out the roles.
“В этом году мы двойного литья” (This year we are double-casting) said the teacher.
“ The Lilac Fairy will be, Olya and Anna,” the girls were so excited but didn’t over react so they wouldn’t make the other girls feel bad.
“The fairy, Violente, will be Viktoriya Rostanova and Valeriya,”It was not Aurora, but Viktoriya had always wanted to be Violente!
“While one is Violente the other will be Coulante,” said the teacher. Viktoriya was super excited!
“Next, Masha Danilova and Alexandra, will be Candite and Miettes qui Tombent.” Masha was soooo excited the fairies were AMAZING roles!
After a few other roles were called it finally came down to who was Aurora. The teacher said,
“As Aurora will be… Anna and Olya,” WHAT! The two girls were going to be Aurora together.
They hugged. All four girls were about to become principal dancers at the Bolshoi Ballet!
With ballet you don’t see improvement day to day. However, you need to keep working. Then one day you might see a glimpse of improvement, then another.
If you work hard and never give up,
Anything is possible.