The Dylan Howells Foundation are proud to announce our support of another young local athlete.
Anna Mariia Shvets has been doing ballet classes for about 9 years now, attending both Kingston Ballet School and Royal Academy of Dance. She commenced ballet lessons at Kingston Ballet School in April 2022 when her family moved to England at the start of the war in Ukraine. Having been previously trained in the Vaganova method, Anna Mariia has adapted to learning the RAD method and in three years has taken her Intermediate, Advanced Foundation and Advanced 1 passing all with 70% or above. Anna Mariia also attends classes at the Royal Academy with RAD examiner June Mitchell. She takes a total of five classes a week, these are both syllabus and free classes showing her commitment to ballet and training.
Kingston Ballet School Principal Louise Jefferson says:
“Anna Mariia is an extremely dedicated student, mature beyond her years. She takes her corrections very seriously and works hard to apply them to improve both her technical and artistic skills. She has good flexibility and pleasing lines in adage, a good sense of turn and coordinated allegro skills. Her pointe work is strong, and her technique is complimented by excellent understanding of musical phrasing and dynamics. But it is Anna Mariia determination that makes her such a pleasure to teach; she works tirelessly to develop her skills and is always eager for more feedback. She arrives early for class to thoroughly warm- up and stretch and staying after class to practice her corrections.
As well as developing her own skills Anna Mariia is also inspiring the younger generation at my school by assisting classes, teaching the basics of technique and sharing the joy of dance. Anna Mariia never fails to give her best and the progress she has made in three years, from arriving here with no English to progressing to Advanced 2 is testament to her determination and commitment.”
Anna Mariia says herself:
“I have always been passionate about ballet, captivated by its grace, discipline, and ability to tell stories through movement. My ambition is to develop my technique, artistry, and performance skills to a professional level, allowing me to pursue a career as a ballet dancer. I am eager to train under experienced instructors, refine my strength and precision, and immerse myself in an environment that nurtures both creativity and dedication. This ballet school offers the rigorous training and artistic excellence I seek, providing the perfect foundation to achieve my goals. I am committed to pushing my limits, learning from every challenge, and growing as both a dancer and an artist. This opportunity will bring me one step closer to realizing my dream of performing on prestigious stages and inspiring others through the beauty of ballet.”
DFH’s initial funding will cover a one week Summer Course at the prestigious Central School of Ballet in London. You can see more of Anna Mariia on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@marichka1748
