Exclusive Items

The Willis Ballet Educational Video Library

presents

Classical Ballet Lesson

Written, Directed and Narrated by Peggy Willis-Aarnio

Demonstrated by : Prima Ballerina of the Kirov Ballet for nearly 20 years Galina Mezentseva

Taught by: Professor of Classical Ballet Peggy Willis-Aarnio

This video program brings together the talents of Prima Ballerina Galina Mezentseva and Professor Peggy Willis-Aarnio, former Professor of Classical Ballet at Texas Tech University. After taking personal lessons with Professor Willis-Aarnio,, Galina Mezentseva has stated that Peggy Willis-Aarnio is an eminent authority on The Teaching Method of Classical Ballet and "...is truly a walking Ballet Encyclopedia." These tapes are part of a series that will be the culmination of a life long dream of both of these professionals to create a correct, factual and articulate record and an explanation of the Ballet Training Program developed in Russia over the past 250 years. In their view, and in a view shared by many others, the Russia Ballet Teaching Tradition that was codified by Agrippina Vaganova and then refined by her pedagogical pupils, has been the inspiration and the force that has shaped nearly every great Ballet Artist of this Century. This system is the most thoroughly researched, scientifically based, physiologically correct and effective Ballet Training Program devised, and one whose details most be preserved as a legacy to future generations of Ballet Artists.

"BRAVO to Professor Peggy Willis-Aarnio and Galina Mezentseva for preserving the details of this most remarkable training program for posterity. Watching this video program evokes fond memories of my days as a student of the great Agrippina Vaganova. A MUST for the serious teacher and student of ballet!"

-Ninel Petrova, teacher at the Vaganova Academy (1966-197), Vaganova's pupil, Leading Ballerina of the Kirov Ballet (1944-1970), Honored Artist of Russia

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"One of the most significant educational ballet videos of our time. And, Mezentseva turns a mere ballet lesson into a Work of Art!"

Olga Rozanova, Dance Critic, Professor and Dean of the Faculty of the Ballet, Choreography and Methodology, St. Petersburg, Russia

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"A true and accurate representation of the great Russian tradition in Ballet Schooling. Galina's demonstration is excellent!"

-Askold Makarov, Honored Professor of Ballet, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of St. Petersburg State and Academic Ballet, Leading Soloist of the Kirov Ballet (1942-1970), State Prize Winner, Peoples Artist of Russia

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Individual DVD's of "Classical Ballet Lesson" are $49.99

The set for the Beginning Level is $134.95

The set for the Intermediate Level is $134.95

The set for the Advanced Level is $99.90

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MUSIC FOR THE CLASSICAL BALLET LESSON SERIES

Individual CD $24.95

Entire set $174.65

To order contact Susana B. Williams at (502) 265-7041 or by e-mail at danceformspro@aol.com

Our beloved teacher Jürgen Pagels died on May 3, 2010 at his home in Lübeck, Germany. He will be remembered for his excellent Master Classes and many extraordinary achievements in dance.

Check out Professor Jürgen Pagels

Class Variations In Classical Ballet

by Jürgen Pagels

Dedicated to the memory of Dame Margot Fonteyn, DBE

Jürgen Pagels was born in West Germany and came to the USA in 1955. He currently resides in Luebeck, West Germany. His principal teachers were Tatjana Vestena, prima ballerina of the Latvian National Ballet in Riga, Hans Rausch of the Cecchetti Society, London, Nadine Nicolaeva-Legat, London, Olga Preobrajenskaya, Paris and Ana Roje of Croatian origin.

Pagel's early professional career included roles as soloist and/or principal dancer with Opera Houses in Germany and the Ballet Theatre Company in West Germany, Ballet Legat in England, Ballet Etoile in Paris, and the Yugoslav National Ballet. In addition, he has made guest appearances dancing soloist roles in many European capitals and won the Alexander Volonine Prize for Best Dancer.

In 1955, he was invited to teach in New York and soon afterwards opened his own Ballet School in Dallas, Texas. He co-founded the Dallas Civic Ballet. His contribution and influence on the standards of teaching and dance technique was so great, that Dallas became a source of of many fine ballet soloists for major companies in the USA, Canada, and Europe. He was invited to guest at many universities, ballet academies and ballet conventions in the USA. The Ballet Department of Indiana University's School of Music, then under the direction of Sir Anton Dolin and Marina Svetlova called him in 1970 to form a new faculty.

He is known as an expert on many of the different methods and syllabi of classical ballet and has worked in this capacity with Dame Margot Fonteyn. She often recommended him for engagements in Central America, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, etc. He has taught extensively in West Germany, England, France, Egypt, Venezuela, and Ecuador for professional ballet companies, coaching soloists and guested in this capacity in Leningrad, Budapest, Yugoslavia and Denmark. He has also served as Artistic Director of Ballet Nacional de Guatemala and Ballet Clásico of San Salvador.

Pagels has always loved character dance, and is the author of "Character Dance," which was published, both in West Germany and the USA. He retired a tenured professor from the Indiana University, School of Music, Ballet Department after twenty years of service. The Pacific Western University of Los Angeles, California conferred on him the degree of "Doctor of Fine Arts" (DFA) in Spring of 1988. In 1989, he represented the USA as member of the Jury for the 7th and 8th International Ballet Competition in Peru and taught the participants.

His "Class Variations in Classical Ballet" was published in the USA, Germany and El Salvador. Thanks to the association between Dr. Pagels and Susana B. Williams, Dance-Forms Productions owns a limited edition of the books and the original manuscript in both English and Spanish. Susana B.Williams was coached by Dr. Pagels in San Salvador and Guatemala. He recommended her for the position of invited Artistic Director at the National School of Dance of San Salvador.

To order the book contact Susana B. Williams at (502) 265-7041 or by e-mail at danceformspro@aol.com

Price: $39.95 + $5.00 shipping.

Special price for dance teachers $29.95 + $ 5.00 shipping.

To order call (502) 265-7041 in the USA

Check out Dance Magazines on Sale

Collection of 80's, 90's Dance Magazines for sale. Perfect condition. Covers include Ethan Stiefel, Julio Bocca, Darci Kistler, Gregory Hines and many more. $10.00 each + shipping charges. Only serious buyers. Contact Dance-Forms Productions at (502) 222-2273 or by e-mail at danceformspro@aol.com

Visit Dance-Forms Productions on line at www.danceformsproductions.com