The Russian School of Ballet (RSB) in Parkhurst is immensely proud of its student Candice Desilets, who recently graduated from the prestigious Vaganova Academy in St Petersburg, Russia, after four years of training at the institution.

RSB founder and director Yana Auger noted that the 20-year-old made history in 2022 as the first South African dancer to be accepted into the academy.

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Now, she is the first to graduate from the prestigious institution.

“I’m experiencing a vast variety of emotions from graduating.” said Desilets.

“I’m, of course, overwhelmed with joy and fulfilment having achieved a lifelong dream. However, I’m also, to some degree, sad to see this chapter close, knowing the academy is now just a phase from my past and the future is unknown.”

The graduate added that she was grateful to have been given the opportunity to study there, extending her thanks to her teachers, as well as the director, of the Vaganova Academy.

Desilets began training at RSB in 2016, at the tender age of 10, under Auger, who taught the authentic Vaganova method in South Africa since 2009.

Auger explained that the ballet dancer’s dream of Vaganova began two years later, at age 12, when the director took a group of 25 RSB students and their families on a life-changing trip to St. Petersburg.

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“Over two weeks, the dancers took master-classes, performed at the historic Hermitage Theatre alongside their hosting ballet school, and visited the city’s museums, palaces, and theatres, which included the Vaganova Academy itself. For young Candice, that visit planted a seed that would shape the next decade of her training.”

The ballet graduate highlighted that the correct form and placement when performing ballet moves were lessons that would stay with her.

“However, I’ve also obtained numerous life lessons, such as adaptability, resilience, determination, perseverance, and courage. Being in the academy has made me find myself, and to be able to acknowledge and address my weaknesses in order to improve them.”

She added that culturally she’s been exposed to versatility, learning not only the Russian language but the depth the arts hold in national history.

In conclusion, Desilets said she was looking forward to continuing her dancing journey, especially because she secured a job offer from one of Russia’s top ballet theatres.

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