Class Concert offers a rare glimpse into the world of ballet dancers – from grueling rehearsals to the moment they step onto the stage and transform hard work into pure art. It is a story of discipline and love for ballet, turning ordinary people into performers who bring joy and beauty to themselves and the audience.

Ahead of the upcoming Class Concert performance, we spoke with the dancers and asked them two questions about their journey, passion, and dedication to this demanding art form.

Here’s what they shared with us...

This ballet pays tribute to the discipline and art of ballet. What motivated you to dedicate yourself to this demanding profession?

I simply love it, I have never considered it work.
Sometimes, I feel like I’m working, but that’s just the circumstances.
The art itself is pure, and it must remain that way. — Eva Karpilovska

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I vividly remember, after my first ballet class, the exhaustion, the muscle pain, and the emotional strain that I faced. I was 9 years old, and I recall that after sharing my feelings with my mother, she asked me, “Do you want to give up?” I replied, “No!”—with tears in my eyes just at the thought of living without dancing.
 
My passion for dance, the sense of freedom, the happiness it brings me, and the liberty it allows me to experience, compels me to return to the studio every day. And it is for the purest, most correct, honest, and true joy of dancing that I renew my energy to try once more a jump or a turn; for one more journey of improvement. — Kaynan Pereira Oliveira

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I dedicated myself to ballet from a young age. I didn't have a specific motivation; rather, I felt the need to express myself through music and dance. — Monica Dinoni

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I remember watching Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures as a child. I was mesmerized by the dancers’ movement quality and their ability to tell a story. That sparked my desire to learn ballet. — Alfred Jago

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Ballet motivates me because I want to improve daily and achieve my personal goals. But, of course, it's not easy, as not everyone has a 'ballet body,' and in this profession, perfection doesn’t exist. I also want to look beautiful on stage so the audience can enjoy the performance and feel something after the show. — Rimi Mizuoka

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Ballet challenges me physically and mentally, pushing me to reach new heights and overcome obstacles. The rigorous training, long hours, and occasional setbacks are all part of the journey that I embrace wholeheartedly. Each performance is an opportunity to share my passion and artistry, and it becomes significant when I see my family members in the audience. Their encouragement led me to take my first ballet class, where I felt the magic of dance for the first time. Ever since, that feeling has never faded, and their unwavering support has instilled in me the confidence and inspiration to keep dancing.

Seeing an audience member connect with a performance is a powerful reminder of why I dance. The ability to evoke emotions and create a shared experience through movement is a deeply fulfilling aspect of this art. — Mirabelle Tošković

Can you share a moment in your career when you felt the same passion and dedication that Class Concert represents?

I still adore every moment on stage.
You become addicted to that feeling, and it’s never enough because a career is too short. — Eva Karpilovska

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Seeing how dance is transformative and pushes me to surpass my limits is truly amazing. Each class and each rehearsal is as precious and special as every performance. When I see how my art impacts the lives of others, I feel rewarded for all the effort and dedication.
 
This reminds me of my graduation, when I finally became a professional after years of refinement. My family and those important to me were seated in the front row to applaud me. At that moment, I realized how powerful the art of dance is. — Kaynan Pereira Oliveira

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There isn’t just one moment when I have felt such passion. Every day, I put everything into each step, each exercise, or each rehearsal to make it better than the day before. — Monica Dinoni

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"Class Concert" takes me back to when I was 16 years old—finding the right balance between enjoying dance, appreciating time spent with colleagues, and striving toward the unattainable standard of technique that all dancers pursue. — Alfred Jago

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A moment in my career that truly reflected the passion and dedication seen in Class Concert was during my first performance with HNK Split, “Great Gatsby.” The weeks leading up to the show were filled with intense rehearsals, where every dancer was fully committed to perfecting the choreography. I remember feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as the performance date approached.

As I stood backstage on the night of the show, I could sense the excitement in the air as the audience eagerly awaited the performance. When it was finally my turn to step onto the stage, I felt an overwhelming rush of emotion. The lights hit me, the music started, and in that moment, everything else faded away. I poured my heart into every movement, remembering the hours of practice and the support from my family and friends.  — Mirabelle Tošković

Class Concert / Scheherazade choreographed by Denis Matvienko and conducted by Maestro Mihail Sinkevich, premieres on stage on March 27th, 2025.