Summer Intensive
MasterClass
13 - 25 July 2026
Ljubljana - Slovenia
Registrations Open
Created by Anastasia and Denis Matvienko with deep passion, professionalism, and dedication to ballet, this summer intensive is built on an individual approach to every participant. Our mission is to ensure that each student leaves with the specific skills, insights, and inspiration they personally need.
What makes our intensive truly special is this individual personalized work on variations, where every participant receives focused attention and coaching tailored to their unique needs and abilities.
The program blends the excellence of legendary ballet traditions, bringing together the leading world ballet schools of the Paris Opera Ballet School, the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, the Vaganova Academy, and the Kyiv Ballet School.
We aim for every participant to return home enriched, inspired, and empowered with knowledge that will support their artistic and technical growth in the new school year. Our intensive is much more than two weeks of ballet training and new knowledge. It is a space filled with love for the art of ballet, friendships, sincerity, and respect.
Click Here to learn about everything included...
Join us for an unforgettable summer and take your ballet training to the next level!
Meet Our Ballet Masters
Natalia Gasmaeva
Ballet Master at the John Cranko School in Stuttgart, Germany since 2005. She is also a docent for postgraduale pedagogical education. She received her pedagogic degree from the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, where she also started teaching. Natalia danced at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow after graduating from the Perm State Ballet School. In her work Natalia is guided by the recognized methodology of A. Vaganova and the experience of her teachers L. Sakharova, G. Kuznetsova und L. Zhdanov.
Stéphane Phavorin
Former First Dancer of The Paris Opera International Guest Ballet Master Stéphane Phavorin received his dance training at the Paris Opera Ballet School and studied classical piano at the Nice Conservatory and in Rueil- Malmaison. Former Premier Danseur of the prestigious Paris Opéra Ballet, Stéphane brings over 25 years of stage experience, having performed leading roles in classical masterpieces by Rudolf Nureyev and Georges Balanchine, and contemporary works by Pina Bausch, William Forsythe, Mats Ek, Twyla Tharp, Jiri Kilian, and Wayne McGregor. His distinguished career has earned him international recognition, including Paris Opéra’s AROP prize and multiple medals at global competitions. Beyond performance, he holds both a Diplôme d’État (2002) and a Certificat d’Aptitude de professor de danse in pedagogy (2013) from the French State and is a sought-after Ballet Master and guest teacher at top companies such as the Paris Opéra Ballet, London’s Royal Ballet, and the Colón Theatre Ballet in Buenos Aires, HET National Ballet, Scala de Milan.
Denis Matvienko
Former Principal Dancer of Mariinsky Theatre International Guest Ballet Master Denis Matvienko is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of BalletStage and one of Ukraine’s most celebrated ballet artists. He began his training at the Kyiv State Choreographic School and started his professional career at the Ukrainian National Ballet, quickly rising to leading roles. He later joined the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg as a soloist, performed as a principal dancer at the Mikhailovsky Theatre, and returned to the Mariinsky as one of its top stars. Denis has also performed as a guest artist with many of the world’s top companies, including the Bolshoi Theatre, La Scala, Paris Opera, and New National Theatre of Japan. Known for his powerful technique and artistic range, Denis has danced principal roles in classical, neoclassical, and contemporary works. His talent has earned him many prestigious awards at international competitions and festivals, recognizing both his performances and contributions to ballet. In addition to performing, Denis has led major ballet companies as an artistic director, taught classical dance at the Vaganova Academy, and helped discover and mentor young dancers through projects like “Ballet of the Future.” Recently, Denis was also the Artistic Director of the Ballet Company at the Croatian National Theatre Split (HNK Split). Through BalletStage and his international work, he continues to inspire and guide the next generation of ballet talent.
Anastasia Matvienko
Principal Guest Dancer & Co-Founder of BalletStage Anastasia Matvienko is a Principal Guest Dancer and Co-Founder of BalletStage, combining over 20 years of international stage experience with a deep commitment to ballet education and creative development. A graduate of the Kyiv State Choreographic School, she has received numerous awards at international ballet competitions, including gold and silver medals for her outstanding performances. Anastasia has performed leading roles in iconic classical ballets such as Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and Giselle, as well as contemporary works by choreographers including George Balanchine and Alexei Ratmansky. Her career has taken her to major theaters across Europe, the United States, and Japan, where she has been recognized for her powerful technique and expressive artistry. Beyond the stage, Anastasia is a driving force behind BalletStage, where she co-develops creative concepts, stages productions, and mentors young dancers. In 2022, she launched the BalletStage platform to support Ukrainian ballet artists and foster artistic collaboration in challenging times. A dedicated teacher and coach, Anastasia is also an ambassador for Gaynor Minden and La Prima Ballet School, using her platform to inspire the next generation and share her passion for ballet with audiences around the world.
Valeryia Vapniarskaya
Ballet Master & Choreographer Valeryia Vapniarskaya is an accomplished ballet master, teacher, and choreographer, with a distinguished career spanning performance, education, and creative work in classical ballet. She spent over a decade as a Principal Dancer with the Bolshoi Theatre Ballet Company in Minsk, where she performed major roles such as Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Myrtha in Giselle, and Gulnara in Le Corsaire. Valeryia currently teaches classical ballet and repertoire at the AUB Ukrainian Ballet Academy in Milan, following her work at the Russian Ballet College in Genoa. She has collaborated with renowned choreographers and principal dancers from La Scala, and has worked with influential figures such as Yuri Grigorovich and Jiří Kylián. As a dedicated educator, she has mentored students who have gone on to become soloists at leading companies including the Bolshoi Theatre and the National Theatre of Warsaw. Her choreographic works include Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Chopiniana, reflecting both her classical expertise and creative vision. Valeryia holds a degree in Ballet Pedagogy and a Diploma in Professional Dance and Teaching from the National Dance Academy of Belarus. Fluent in Russian, Italian, and English, she is known for her supportive, structured, and inspiring teaching style, empowering dancers to grow with confidence and artistry.
Tijuana Križman Khudernik
Ballet Dancer & Contemporary Ballet Master Although she decided to start a career as a ballet dancer relatively late, Tijuana Križman Hudernik completed her studies at the Conservatory of Music and Ballet in Maribor in a remarkably short period, graduating in 2002. After a successful audition in 2004, she was accepted to the prestigious Theatre Academy of La Scala in Milan, where she completed a two-year postgraduate program with distinction. That same year she joined the Ballet Ensemble of the Slovene National Theatre Maribor, where she soon began performing prominent solo roles. In 2008, she was promoted to First Soloisr Dancer. During her studies, she already performed in Maribor in productions such as Graduation Ball and Giselle. In Milan, she appeared at the Gala Nureyev in the Teatro degli Arcimboldi and at the 190th Anniversary Gala of La Scala’s Ballet Academy. Her repertoire covers a wide range of classical and contemporary roles. Among her most acclaimed performances are: Aurora (The Sleeping Beauty), Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara (The Nutcracker), Giselle (title role), Effie (La Sylphide), Gamzatti (La Bayadère), Lisa (La Fille mal gardée), Gulnare (Le Corsaire), Pas de trois and Little Swans (Swan Lake). Mirelle ( Flame of Paris ) In contemporary creations she has captivated audiences as Cinderella (in choreographies by Viktor Litvinov and Jean-Christophe Maillot), Marina (Zorba the Greek by Lorca Massine), Juliet (Radio & Juliet by Edward Clug), Cécile de Volanges (Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Valentine Turcu and Leo Mujić), Ingrid and Solveig (Peer Gynt by Clug), Marie (Woyzeck by Staša Zurovac), Olga (Eugene Onegin by Turcu), and Carmen, Death in Venice, Madame Bovary(V. Turcu). She has also performed in numerous choreographies by Edward Clug (Carmina Burana, Handman, Quatro, Prêt-à-porter, Watching Others, Les noces, Architecture of Silence, The Rite of Spring, Stabat Mater, Aperture, Cluster), Jiří Kylián (Falling Angels), Walking Mad and Rain Dogs ( Johan Inger) and appeared in The Little Prince (directed by Diego de Brea) and Europe Today (directed by Haris Pašović). In addition to her ballet repertoire, she has performed in opera productions such as Lakmé, La Traviata, Tosca, The Force of Destiny, Nabucco, and Madama Butterfly, Tourne; extensively across Europe, North and South America, and Asia — performing in Luxembourg, Italy, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Singapore, the United States, Canada, Colombia, South Korea, Russia, Brazil, Japan, Portugal, Greece, Uzbekistan, Finland, Hong Kong, and Dubai. Awards and Recognitions Since winning her first prize at the Ballet Competition in Klagenfurt (1998), she has received numerous awards, including: 3rd Prize (Classical and Modern Dance), Freiburg (2000) 3rd Prize, Florence (2000) 1st Prize and Gold Plaque, 5th Slovenian Ballet Competition, Ljubljana (2001) Piran Municipality Plaque (2003) 2nd Prize and Silver Plaque, 7th Slovenian Ballet Competition, Ljubljana (2005) 2nd Prize, International Competition, Florence (2006) 1st Prize, Vienna (2007) 3rd Prize, Rome (2007) Gold Plaque and Grand Prixe, 8th Slovenian Ballet Competition, Maribor (2007) Lydie Wisiak Award (2007) for outstanding artistic achievement and interpretation of Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty Tartini Award (2010) for exceptional artistic contributions to the cultural life of the Piran Municipality Teaching and Rehearsal Work In addition to her performing career, works as Assistant to Edward Clug at SNG Maribor on productions including Carmina Burana, Radio & Juliet, and Faust. She has restaged Clug’s works internationally, including: Radio & Juliet for Birmingham Royal Ballet and Halle Ballet Carmina Burana for Latvian National Opera, Slovak National Theatre Bratislava, and Theater Dortmund Ssss... for Opera Ljubljana and Opera Narodowa Poland
Maša Kagao Knez
Dancer, Choreographer & Dance Pedagogue
Event Venue & Location
Conservatory of Music and Ballet Ljubljana
Ižanska cesta 12, 1000 Ljubljana - Slovenia
In Partnership with Ballet Conservatory of Music and Ballet Ljubljana and More..
Summer Intensive Information
About Summer Intensive 2026
The intensive daily program runs from 9:00 to 17:00 and includes:
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Warm up - floor barre
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Ballet class
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Pointe shoes technique/ male technique
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Individual repertoire rehearsal of variation. Each participant may rehearse one variation; the title, video, and music must be submitted one month before the start of the intensive, by 12 June)
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Group repertoire rehearsals
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"Wave in Motion” contemporary program by Maša Kagao Knez
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Rehearsals of special choreography by Stephane Phavorin or Denis Matvienko
For final Gala performance (Available to full 2 week participants only)
Second week program 20-25 July (Optional & must be book separate)
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Contemporary class “Discover Choreography language of Edward Clug” with Tijuana Križman Khudernik
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Held for 5 days with rehearsal of choreography which will be performed on final Gala event
More included in the admission:
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Open Class for parents on the KGBL stage on 18 July (Saturday) for all participants
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On this day participants of the first week only may optionally perform their variations on stage (In a rehearsal format)
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For participants of Group A, open classes will take place in the ballet studio
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2 weeks intensive culmination will be Final Gala on the stage of KGBL, and will include:
Participants will perform their variations and contemporary numbers,
And special choreography creation by Stephane Phavorin and Denis Matvienko,
Awards ceremonies
*** For participants of Group A, having a variation is not required. These participants will take part in solo and group dance pieces prepared by our teachers
*** We reserve the right to not let a participant perform if they have health problems or if it might be unsafe for them -
Daily delicious lunches at the school provided by SuperCatering
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1 excursion around Slovenia provided by hugnature.eu
every Thursday from 15:00 and parents/friends may join at an additional rate
Additional Benefits:
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Resting Space
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There are dedicated areas for lunch and breaks between classes (Indoor and outdoor)
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Photos and videos from the final Gala Concert
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Backstage photos of all participants during the intensive, available via a shared links after the event
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Parents can watch the moments from classes through our social media channels and groups (WhatsApp)
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Pointe Shoes Masterclass & consultation
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Personal consultation on selecting the right pointe shoes for your feet and guidance on how to prepare them
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Each Participants will receive individual feedback from the guest teachers
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Branded gifts from BalletStage
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Printed certificate of participation recognized and signed by all guest teachers
Participant Groups:
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Group A 10-13 years old | No Pointe Shoes or 1 year on Pointe
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Group B 13-14 years old | More than 2 years on Pointe
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Group C 15-17 years old | More than 4 years on Pointe
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Group D 18-30 years old | More than 8 years on Pointe
Ballet Shop PLESNI BUTIK TIJUANA
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A ballet-specific shop is available on-site at KGBL for any accessories or necessities for the workshop
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More information and link to website available here
Summer Ballet
Camp
13 - 25 July 2026
Ljubljana - Slovenia
Registrations Open
Summer Intensive Camp
Our Summer Intensive Camp is the perfect summer adventure for kids aged 10 - 18 years old - Organized in partnership with "Hug Nature"
Held in the stunning city of Ljubljana, Slovenia’s charming capital, this camp offers a mix of professional ballet training, fun activities, and the chance to explore one of Europe’s most beautiful destinations!
Why Join Our Summer Camp?
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Professional Ballet Training
Kids will learn from some of the best ballet instructors, helping them take their skills to the next level
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Creative and Fun Atmosphere
They’ll be inspired by the art of ballet while enjoying time to relax and make new friends
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24hr Supervision, meals and Safety
Our team of professional guardians and nannies ensures every child is cared for and supervised throughout the day, including taking care of any special requirements for children
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Exploring Slovenia
Located in the heart of Europe, Ljubljana is a vibrant and safe city full of culture, nature, and history. There’s plenty to discover, from its lively streets to the nearby Alps and emerald rivers. Schedule will be shared in advance
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Overnight Accommodation
Offered in partnership with DIC Hostel Ljubljana, with fun sharing rooms for children to network
Dasha Poliakova
Summer Camp Manager Dasha grew up in camps herself — first as a camper, then a counselor, and eventually a camp director. With 24 years of hands-on experience, she knows exactly how to create unforgettable, safe, and joyful adventures for kids. For over 12 years, she has organized and led international camps without parents in countries like Latvia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, and Russia. Her approach combines thoughtful structure with the spirit of exploration and play. Currently, she coordinates the extracurricular program at La Sallay Academy, an international boarding school in France, where she curates engaging activities that nurture curiosity, independence, and connection. Her background includes four years as a youth program leader at a major center for children’s creativity. Dasha holds master's degrees in both Biophysics and Tourism & Communication, and she speaks Russian, English, and German fluently. More than just a job, camp life is part of who she is — a place where every child feels seen, supported, and free to grow.
Terms & Conditions
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To apply to the Ballet Stage Summer Intensive, participants must complete an Online Application Form which is available on the event's website.
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Participants who are professional, semi-professional, or have completed at least one year of full-time training for a career in dance and are 10 years or older by the start of the masterclass are eligible to apply.
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The deadline for applications is 1st July 2026. As places are limited, we recommended to apply as soon as possible!
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Participant must inform of any health problems and submit an accompanying letter via email to info@balletstage.com
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Before the event participants or guardians must complete an allergy form which will be shared by our team.
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The organizers reserve the right to retain all or part of the course fees if the applicant withdraws from the course.
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Participants get access to a WhatsApp/Telegram chat-group where admin updates are shared.
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The final schedule for the masterclass will be posted on the notice board of the studios on the first day of the masterclasses.
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Participants are expected to bring normal practice wear, and female candidates should bring pointe shoes with them.
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Participants are responsible for bringing and preparing their own make-up and costumes for the Gala performance on the last day.
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The organizers reserve the right to change the selection of the participants repertoire for the Gala concert if its deemed too difficult vs their abilities.
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The organizers are not responsible for any damage or injury caused to any person attending the course or for the loss of any property.
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The organizers reserve the right to change the teachers or artists in the event of illness or any other unavoidable circumstances.
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The organizers are not providing accommodation or transportation unless booked separately and confirmed.
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Participants are advised not to leave the KGBL event area during the scheduled times of the program.
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The organizers are understood not to be liable for any injuries or liabilities of any sorts as part of participating in this program.
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Participants or their guardians assume full responsibility for any damages caused to the event venue by the participant and agree to cover costs.
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The organizers are not responsible for any loss of personal items as a result of mismanaging or losing such items, irespective of the situation.
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We recommend that participants have personal insurance in case of emergencies.
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Participants should not attend if they have pre-existing injuries.
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Organizers reserve the right to sort groups not only by age, but also considering the participants' professional training and level of skills, which will be assessed during first day of the week (Including moving participants into younger or older groups). Schedule changes are possible, depending on the number of participants.
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All participant grant permission to the production company, and related audition sponsors, organizers, management, third party affiliates and producers to use any personal photographs/video content without expecting payment or compensation for the purpose of public relations, marketing, TV, and advertising or other...
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If participants or guardians have any questions or concerns in regard to these terms and conditions, please contact us via email info@balletstage.com