The ballet discipline of Imperial Dance Academy was founded in 1954. Since its establishment, the ballet department’s teaching and research activities in many aspects, including enrollment selection, curriculum, teaching syllabus, teaching material implementation, and internship performance repertoire, have been strictly in accordance with the Russian Vaganova School.
To develop this system model, Weng Huaijing, who studied under the Balanchine school, is actually a rare exception among all universities with a long Russian teaching tradition.
In the summer of 2015, Professor Deng Yingling, who was the first vice-president of the college, with the vision of being inclusive and drawing on the best of others to expand the international perspective of the Imperial Dance Academy, hired Weng Huaijing from the United States to return to the school to teach, despite all objections. She did not expect that the results would be so quick.
"I have what others don't have, and what others have, I am excellent." Principal Deng's alternative approach is undoubtedly very clever today. With the recent 15th-level ballet performance major, several outstanding graduates were recommended by Professor Weng Huaijing to New York Julienne.
The ballet department of the Asian Academy, New York City Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Chicago Ballet and other traditional strongholds of the Balanchine School continue to study and further their studies. In addition, this year's school admissions office has also received frequent good news.
The dangerous military expedition four years ago made the Imperial Dance Academy severely exposed in the competition with the rising stars of the two professional dance academies in Shanghai and Huadu.
"Ballet Drama Performance" and "Classical Ballet Solo", the two main undergraduate courses in ballet performance that were specially opened for Weng Huaijing, have therefore become the veritable flagship courses of the ballet department of Imperial Dance Academy and are highly praised and well-known by students and parents.
Slightly different from other professors with Russian academic backgrounds, Weng Huaijing's "Classical Ballet Solo" adopts a small class teaching method. The dress code for practical courses strictly follows the standard ballet etiquette. Students are required to wear close-fitting ballet socks (ballet tights) during basic training and classes.
), wear leotards, and ballerinas with round toes and flat heels.
Usually, the special clothing that represents ballet in the public eye, the off-shoulder mid-length one-piece tutu (giselle) or the multi-layered silk pleated tutu (tutu) are actually only suitable for ballet performances and professional events.
…
Monday afternoon, Imperial Dance Academy.
Ballet C practice room on the sixth floor of the dance teaching building.
…
"Hahaha, the emperor has paid off his hard work! I, Mo Ruanqi, can finally get up close and personal with Professor Weng!"
There are still more than 20 minutes before the official start of class, and almost everyone in the practice room C has arrived. A girl with a particularly sweet smile wearing a moon-white exercise uniform is mingling among the girls in the 1703 class of ballet performance undergraduate course. She is embarrassed.
Coyly, he continued to Zi Wen and Zhu Xiaoxi who brought him in: "Senior Xiaoxi and Senior Wenwen, thank you for your support and cover. I'm not used to wearing only big socks, no wonder everyone says this."
The class was extremely difficult!”
"It's just a normal dress check before class..."
While Ning Meng pulled up her long hair and tied it into a bun, she added coldly: "Tsk, you really came to the solo dance practice class, oh, it's really crazy for little girls to chase stars these days!"
"It's okay, Ning Meng just has a sharp mouth, don't be afraid..."
The gentle Zhu Xiaoxi stretched her legs to warm up, and asked the school girl from Jiangning City like her with concern: "Are you not used to wearing underwear?"
"The reason why swimsuit-style dance costumes are so popular in classical ballet is precisely because this set of dress rules can fully display the beauty of power generated by the dancer's leg lines and muscle deformation..."
After Ning Meng tied up her hair, she arranged her bangs in front of the mirror wall. She responded seriously to Zhu Xiaoxi's protection: "Even if you wear high-slit breasts that are said to be traceless, they will show traces, which will destroy the beauty.
Another disrespect for stage etiquette."
"So one of the dress rules Professor Weng set for this class is that you must not wear any underwear under your ballet socks!"
Zi Wen, who had already entered the warm-up mode in advance, also quietly joined in the chat. Her tone was much gentler than Ning Meng: "Xiao Qi is in the undergraduate ballet education class. Director Guan Xin will also teach you this in the future..."
"Then it is even more important to adapt as soon as possible, so as not to mislead students like the mediocre teachers in the training class..."
Ning Meng was disgusted and said: "This ballet girl has been told since she was a child that ballet stockings can be used as underwear. After all, pantyhose are worn under the training uniform. Wearing anything else is stupid and redundant."
"Oh...Senior Ning Meng, I will try my best to adapt..." Mo Ruanqi raised her white ballet socks with a frown on her face.
"Xiao Qi became a monk halfway, and her basic skills are not up to standard. She is more exposed to modern ballet with completely different dressing styles. It will be uncomfortable to put on big socks directly..."
Zhu Xiaoxi patiently comforted Mo Ruanqi, who was already a little unable to laugh: "Just hide behind and keep a low profile."
"Great, Professor Weng will kick me out if he sees it..."
Nodding in agreement, Mo Ruanqi asked worriedly: "I heard from Qiu Xiaoyi, a sophomore, that she was afraid of taking the "Classical Ballet Solo" theory class. Is Professor Weng fierce?"
Mo Ruanqi didn't expect that the three senior students would give completely different answers to her question:
Ning Meng's face was expressionless: "She's not fierce, she's just strict."
Zhu Xiaoxi smiled: "She is similar to her in "Talent Co., Ltd." Professor Weng is very real."
Zi Wen thought for a moment: "The professor has a particularly gentle side."
This made Mo Ruanqi a little confused, and she became even more curious about Weng Huaijing who was about to appear.
"We have very few professional courses in our freshman year, and most of the time we study basic subjects..."
Newbies always have a lot of questions. Before class, Mo Ruanqi followed the senior students in their warm-up preparations and asked: "Besides the dress, are there any other differences between the so-called classical ballet and modern ballet?"
"Modern ballet and classical ballet..."
With her hands off the dance bar, her left leg straightened, her right leg stretched back to a right angle, her arms stretched to echo the movement of her legs, Zi Wen easily completed a dance with a strong Balanchine style under Mo Ruanqi's envious eyes.
After making arabesque movements, she tried her best to keep her posture straight while continuing: "It's completely two concepts!"
"My basic knowledge is too poor..." Mo Ruanqi lowered his head in shame.
"Many professors have their own interpretations of this issue. I think our professor said it very well..."
Zhu Xiaoxi looked at Ning Meng as he spoke: "Let your senior Ning Meng explain it to you in detail. She is very solid in theory."
"The difference is mainly reflected in the subject matter and form. Classical ballet is more inclined to tell a dramatic story with complete meaning and rigorousness. Each character has its own rich connotation. When interpreting, ballet actors should focus on performing the role.
In terms of character and characteristics.”
Ning Meng's voice became obviously softer when repeating Weng Huaijing's insights: "Modern ballet, on the basis of inheriting the basic characteristics and methods of exerting force of classical ballet, abandons or deliberately downplays the dramatic plot."
"I see, that's why our major doesn't offer the class "Ballet Drama Performance"..."
What Ning Meng relayed gave Mo Ruanqi a feeling of enlightenment. She mumbled aggrievedly and complained: "No wonder modern ballet is despised by classicists. They only pursue bells and whistles all day long and have no merit other than popularity."
"In fact, many excellent modern ballet works have emerged in recent years, which are also a kind of feedback to classical ballet. The audience can clearly feel the basic elements and technical movements of ballet, and at the same time appreciate the breakthrough creation and beauty.
Invisibly, it also plays a role in cultivating classical ballet lovers."
A clear and cold voice suddenly sounded in Mo Ruanqi's ears. It wasn't until she realized that the noise around her suddenly quieted down that Xiao Mengxin followed the sound at a loss. She found that Professor Weng Huaijing, who was wearing the same style of training uniform, was Qing Liyan.
Standing beside him quietly. Zhu Xiaoxi, Ning Meng, and Zi Wen were as silent as the other seniors. They obediently continued to do warm-up exercises as if they didn't know the new little ones.
"Weng...Weng...Professor Weng! I am, I am Mo Ruanqi from the 1901 undergraduate ballet education class..."
Mo Ruanqi was so nervous that she began to stutter, and she said, "I like you very much... so... I changed my clothes and came to class."
"Welcome, classmate Mo."
Weng Huaijing lowered her head and took out her mobile phone from her speedy25 handbag and glanced at it quickly. She smiled lightly under the secret glances of her students, and her voice was no longer cold: "If you are interested in classical ballet, any learning problems will be solved."
You can ask Ziwen and Ning Meng, or come to me in the Classical Ballet Teaching and Research Office."
"hiss!"
Professor Weng usually has a calm attitude towards the fans who come to attend classes, and the students in Ballet Performance Class 1703 know this, so the girls in the practice room have their glasses broken on the floor.
"Senior Wenwen is indeed right. Professor Weng is really gentle, ah! She warmed up right next to me, and demi plié half squats, the most common basic ballet movements, were so smooth. It was so beautiful. This trip
Make a lot of money!"
Mo Ruanqi's nervousness was effectively calmed down, and she stared obsessively at Weng Huaijing, whose plié movements always maintained a flowing rhythm. Xiao Mengxin continued to ask questions under the admiration and astonishment of her senior classmates: "Professor Weng,
I studied modern dance, but later I was transferred to the ballet education major, so my foundation is not very good. I don’t understand why modern ballet is more popular than classical ballet?”
"The success of modern ballet in terms of popularity is actually inevitable. Its appreciation method is more friendly to the audience and does not have any harsh requirements. It emphasizes comfort and adaptability."
For some reason, Weng Huaijing's voice became colder. She completed a high-leg stretching movement with ease. While maintaining a towering posture, she continued with ease: "As the pace of life is getting faster and faster, it is difficult to ask the audience to be able to do it."
Arrive at the theater half an hour early, abandon the worries of life outside the theater, and immerse yourself in the world of art. Modern ballet has no such restrictions. The audience's understanding of dance is formed based on their own experiences, experiences and feelings."
"I understand, there are a thousand Hamlets among a thousand people!"
Mo Ruanqi hesitated to ask the last question before the bell was about to ring: "Professor Weng, why did you choose classical ballet at Juilliard?"
The loudspeaker in the practice room rang the class bell on time, and at the same time there was an inconspicuous buzzer. Weng Huaijing picked up the handbag that had been temporarily placed on the wooden floor again. She glanced at Mo Ruanqi and quickly flipped through it.
I glanced at my phone.
"Classical is more in line with my body, soul, and heart. The charm of classical ballet lies in using ancient forms to touch the audience's current hearts."
Handing the handbag to Ning Meng for safekeeping, Weng Huaijing walked to the open space in the middle of the practice room and answered patiently: "I have a... friend who once said that classical art represents our attitude of believing in the existence of truth, goodness, and beauty. I and
He also believes that classical art is still part of the modern world and that its value is not limited to art itself."
"Three years, I haven't said that many words to Professor Weng in three years!"
Zhu Xiaoxi secretly pinched Zi Wen from behind in envy and jealousy.