2009

From Caroline Bird:

Dear Daria and Ian ,
I am writing you because I simply cannot get last years unparalleled experience off of my mind. I have just returned to the states after a very sucessful audition tour to Europe. I have just recieved a two year corps de ballet contract with Berlin Stattsballett, and couldn’t have done it without the Prague Masterclass last year. The amazing times and experiences that enriched both my technique and my life are still fresh on my mind and I truly believe in just two weeks it totally transformed my dancing, adding freedom and confidence to my dancing. 
Not only did it bring great strength to my dancing but it gave me my closest of friends many of which I either stayed with or ran into along the way of my audition tour. So obviously it is crucial that I return this year as it was truly one of the most incredible experiences and two weeks of my life.

2008

From Marija Grozova:

Dear Ian
I’d like just to thank you again for this great time we spend in Prague every year and which makes all the students work so hard during the year – because you realise that if you work hard you gonna get more information, feelings, emotions or whatever from the masterclasses.
The teachers were absolutely wonderful again. But you realise that you worked with the best ones only after leaving Prague, cause everyone makes you feel that if you’re not as good as they right now – you gonna be even better in future. This, again, makes you work as hard as you can and put every fragment of your soul, all the energy you’ve got into your work. And then you get it all back double-sized from the dancers and the teachers working beside. Did I already mention that I LOVE the atmosphere during the classes?
Special thanks, of course, to your “Fantastic 4″ . Thanks to Jonathan, who is an amaizing pianist. Every dancer starts doing better when he is by the piano. Many thanks to Daria, who makes every dancer jealous because of her legs, but is such a bright and sparkling person that people around her always smile.( I think I gonna have the CK watches like she does – them are so beautiful!) Thanks to Cristopher, especially for the last day morning class. It was so…just can’t find the right words. Amazing, wonderful and just SO good x2 BTW I go jogging now every day.
And the very special “thank you” goes to you, Ian. I can’t believe that it’s possible for anyone else to do everything you have to experience during those 2 weeks (I mean all the organisation troubles and stuff) and still to be such nice person with whom ist’s a great pleasure just to talk about something.
There’re lots of things I’d have to say more but I’m afraid of being annoying. I’m more than sure that everyone who was in Prague were trying to tell you similar things. Please don’t forget that all our thanks are very honest, as you all are to us.
Hope to meet you again next year.
and the final one:
Thank you thank you thank you
Marija Grozova

From Helen Brunson:

From Simon Schilgen:

Dear Ian and dear Daria
this is the only way i know of, how to contact you. Tank you both so much for letting me stay for the last two weeks in Prague. I enjoyed so much being with so many dancers and having so many amazing teachers. Without your help i never would have been able to come and stay at Prague at all. Again, thank you . I am very glad that i was able to meet all of you and being able to get in contact with you. I hope to stay in touch with you and hopefully i see you again next year.
Best Wishes
Simon Schilgen
PS: Great Pitures on the blog – loved it

From Liliya Aranov:

Dear Ian and Daria
Hi this is Liliya Aronov, (I hope you remeber me from the ballet masterclasses).
I wanted to thank you for a truly wonderful two weeks. This is by far the best summer program I have been to
The atmosphere you created was so positive and helpful that it was a joy for me to come to the studios every day. It might sound funny but it made me sort of remeber how much I love to dance… (sometimes it is easy to forget)
The teachers were great and so willing to help and share their knowledge that I feel I have learned a lot.
Thank you so so much, I hope I’ll see you again next year, and I will warmly reccomend it to any one who asks
Sincerely
Liliya

2007

From Stephen Wilson, dancer with English National Ballet:

Hi Daria,
I just wanted to say thank you for having me at the masterclasses. I didnt get a chance to say good bye when I left on Thursday but I enjoyed the four days very much. Prague is absolutely beautiful I look forward to going back for a longer visit. I hope the rest of the two weeks goes well. best wishes
Stephen Wilson

From Cynthia Simla:

 From Tamara Ledermann:

Dear Ian and Daria,
I Just wanted to say a huge thank you for this year’s masterclasses.
I Iearnt so much and left feeling so inspired by you and all the
other incredible dancers. I truly enjoyed every moment and the  two
weeks flew by!Thank you once again and hope to see you both again soon. Lots of love Tamara.

From John Svensson, Royal Swedish Ballet School:

Hi!
Thank you for a wonderful summer course in Prauge, I had a really  great time during the weeks.
The Carina Ari Memorial Foundation who offered me a scholarship to attend the masterclasses, needs a ‘certification’ (signature)from a teacher in whom’s classes I’ve participated, and also the number of classes.
I’m sorry to bother you with this now, but I need to send them this. Once again thank you for a great summer course. Warm regards John

From Kirsten Meijer:

Dear Ian,
In the crowd last Saturday I forgot to say goodbye to you and Daria. I would like to thank you both very much for having me in the 2007 masterclass. I enjoyed every minute of it and learned a lot. Especially the class with Sofiane was fantastic!!
Thank you very much again and good luck with the final days of the masterclass this week.

2006

From Alicia Beck:

From Frieda:

 

From Lauren Bryden:

Thank you very much for yet again another fantastic week in Prague!! I had so much fun, it was great to meet lots of new people and i have many crazy photos of us being tourists in Prague. I especially enjoyed the Pas de Deux lessons it was such a great oppurtunity to learn the sleeping beauty pas de deux as we are never given the chance to learn anything like that at school. Watching Daria and Otto perform it was a great inspiration!! Thx again for a great week i hope to see you next year!
x x x

From Russell and Claire:

Just wanted to send a little e-mail to say a big thank you especially to yourself, Daria and Chris for everything you did for us and all that we have learned over the 2 week coarse.We both would love to come back next year and we will try to fit it round our potential jobs.We have both learned so much from dancing with such great teachers but also just from speaking to yourself and the rest of the team, we both have learned to love dance again and also learned what life as a dancer is really like. Hope yourself and Daria have a brilliant year and hopefully see you in the very near future. thanks again especially with the dentist lol!!!!
Russell and Claire

From Shylene:

I have to tell you that I had the most wonderful time at the Masterclasses this year. I loved last year’s Masterclasses but this year seemed even better (if that is possible!). I learned so much and it was such a confidence builder. Thank you so much for making the sacrifices neccessary to make the program happen every year. It’s been so wonderful to be able to go to Prague and dance with other dedicated dancers like me and be taught by so many amazing and inspiring people. It’s a dream come true. Shylene xxx

From Ethan:

I enjoyed myself a lot over those 2 weeks and I wished I could of stayed longer I would like to thank all of the
teachers as i have learnt a lot, and will take on all of their corrections, especially as now I have to look for a job. I would love to come back next year as it was a great experience and I will be telling everyone I know so you might get more people wanting to come next year. ETHAN

2005

 

 

From Lucy Durno:

Dear Daria and Ian
I am just writing to say what a wonderful time I had on the course. It was my first time on the course and unfortunately I could only manage the second week due to previous commitments, however I hope next year to participate in both weeks.
As a dancer it was wonderful to work with such acclaimed stars of the dance world and it is a summer I shall never forget. I especially found repertoire very inspiring with Christopher Hampson.
Once again many thanks
Lucy Durno

From Olivia Jenkins:

Dear Daria and Ian
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the Prague summer course 2005. It is the best course I have been on (and I’ve been on eight). I especially liked the way it was personal and not too strict or formal. I will certainly recommend it to other dancers.
Thank you very much
Olivia Jenkins

From Daisy Brodskis:

I’m just writing to say how much i enjoyed the course, i had so much fun and learnt so much from every class. it was such a privilege to be taught by such wonderful dancers and teachers who all gave such inspiring classes. i was overJoyed to find that we would be learning a pas de deux from my favourite ballet (swan lake) in the first week, i was so pleased! learning something like that is just something we would never get to do at school. the course reminded me how much i really love ballet!
i had such a great time, thank you so so much,
best wishes,
daisy brodskis
XXX

From Greta Wright:

Dear Ian and Daria
Thank you so much for a lovely two weeks. I had an amazing time and learned a lot. I can’t wait until next year!
Love
Greta Wright

From Leyna Magbutay:

Dear Ian & Daria

I just wanted say a huge thank you for a fantastic time in Prague. I’m so glad I went back this year- it was just as wonderful as last year – possibly even better!! Again, I was inspired by all the teachers in different ways and the
repertoire was simply amazing!! Swan Lake, Elite Syncopations, Onegin, Who Cares…etc…… It’s amazing how
much I learned over just two weeks. I don’t think I would ever get the opportunity to learn such things anywhere else!! I can’t wait to keep practicing what I’ve learnt back at school! I miss it all already!! I cannot express how thankful I am for this incredible experience of being taught by world class dancers, meeting great students…. being able to do what i love the most. The beautiful city factor is just another bonus!! Anyways, I would love to go back next year(it would be my third summer!) and will be looking out for application dates!!
Much love,
Leyna Magbutay

 

From Nathanael Skelton (dancer at BRB):

Dear Ian and Daria.
How are you? thank you so much for the opportunity to do the masterclasses. i had an amazing time in Prague and learnt so much. The teachers were all so amazing.

From Lauren:

Dear Ian Comer and all the staff at Ballet Masterclasses, This is just to say a huge thankyou for a fantastic week in Prague, it was an amazing and inspiring experiance to be taught by so many highly acclaimed teachers. I have to admit for the first few classes i was unable to do anything but stare in amazement at Daria’s extensions!!!
I especially enjoyed the Pas De Deux classes with Daria and Laurent Novis, i never thought that i would be dancing the swan lake Pas de Deux at 16!!! I had sooo much fun and only wished that i could have stayed for two weeks, I can’t wait til’ next year.
Thanks for all you help with everything and for making Prague such a welcoming city. Also, thankyou for letting my mum and sister come in and watch on their surprise visit, i did get a fright in the middle of a presage to look down and see my mums proud face!!!
Thanks again for everything!! (Say hi to Sabina from me!!) Lauren Bryden x

 

2004

From Emma-Jane Maguire (dancer with the Royal Ballet, London):

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for being so kind and looking after me but also for making the week such a wonderful experience.The teachers were superb and it was just a pleasure for me to be back in a solos class and doing a pas de deux as in the corps de ballet I do not have the chance to. For me the course was so beneficial, I remember how much I love to dance!Thank you!!  Wishing you all the best for the new season , yours sincerely, Emma-Jane

From Megan Kurashige (California):

Dear Mme Richard: I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful classes which you gave in Prague. They inspired me and made me think about dancing in so many new ways. I’m very jealous of the students who are lucky enough to
receive your teaching all year round!” Cigarette” was such an enjoyable variation. Very difficult, but interesting because I’ve never seen it before in America. Can you tell me what the music is? I’d like to keep on practicing it until I can manage without falling over! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Best wishes for good health and happiness.

Dear Ian and Daria: I just wanted to write to thank you for the wonderful time I had in Prague. It was quite possibly one of the most amazing summers I’ve had so far! I apologize for not writing sooner, but I’ve just started the new season and moved to a new apartment in the process and so have been without internet for awhile! I really, really enjoyed the program. I loved the classes. It was so inspiring to have such beautiful dancers as teachers. I particularly loved the solos we got to learn. They were so different and interesting. It was really special for me to have Tamara Rojo as a teacher. I saw her dance on my first visit to England and was completely blown away, so to have her right there, teaching us was amazing. She encouraged me to audition in the UK, so now I’m brimming with inspiration and hoping to make it there when my company is on holiday (if you have any words of advice, I’d be hugely grateful!).
Prague was as beautiful as promised, and the other students were wonderful people. I made many friends and I hope to keep in touch with them in the future.
I wish I could properly thank all the teachers since they were all incredible, inspiring, and helpful. Do you think it would be alright to send them letters c/o their respective companies/schools?
Thank you for a lovely two weeks, and please keep me up to date on the classes for next year.

 

From Emina Adderley: (Elmhurst)

Thank you very much for allowing me to join in the Prague Summer School. I had a brilliant time and enjoyed all the classes, especially pas de deux as I learnt lots of new things. Thankyou for meeting me at the airport it was a great help as it was my first time there.
I would love to come again next year and will be looking out for application dates!!!  Emina x

From Sonoya Mizuno from Royal Ballet School:

I just wanted to say the biggest THANKYOU for accepting me on the course! I honestly had one of the best weeks in my life. I feel like I learnt a lot and the teachers really inspired me- after a very difficult year of injuries. I cannot remember enjoying dancing as much as I did in Prague. Also, I met so many great people, who I have kept in touch with, such as Charlotte Gleason who I’ve seen frequently in London since we left. We all had so much fun and it was thanks to you, please keep me posted with regards to your plans for next Summer.
Thankyou again,
With love Sonoya

From Tsumugi Misaki a dancer from Japan who attended in 2003:

KUMI OZAKI she told me that she had a great time at Prague experiencing a dancer’s life. She did not want to leave the country. I am sure that everyone will be learning so much from your course.
Your master course had changed my life greatly. …Most ballet schools tend to make a barrier and keep their secret for themselves. But I was so happy to find a place where I could hear a teacher saying “Hungry to learn” is important whatever the levels at your course. I was given a chance to work for K-Ballet as teacher from September this would not have come true if I did not attend your course. Love of dance and passion of ballet was hidden deep in side of me. After attending your course I really wanted to challenge anything without a fear.
Thank you very much.
I would like to see you soon somewhere!
Best wishes from Tsumugi Misaki

From Stephanie Clayton:

I just wanted to write to thank you for the brilliant two weeks I had with you in Prague. I feel that I have gained so much from the course and renewed my love of dance. I have been totally inspired by what I have seen and learnt, and feel priviledged to have worked with such world-class dancers, particularily since they were all so friendly and helpful. Prague is a truly beautiful city, and the experience of doing what I love in such a fantastic enviroment was amazing. Thank you again and hope to see you in the future…
Best wishes
Stephanie Clayton.
(Student from London Studio Centre)

From Chris Mason:

(Father of Sophie Mason, a student from Central School of Ballet in London, who had to go home early due to an ingrowing toenail swelling up badly after 3 days of her two weeks)

I am not sure if this message will reach you but it’s worth a try ! I just wanted to let you know that Sophie and I were very grateful for the help she received in Prague from you and the Physio when she was unable to continue with the course. Events moved very quickly on Thursday and we were lucky in a way to be able to travel home together. We have had tears because she was so upset to have to leave early but in the circumstances I think she made the right decision.
A friend asked her today how she had felt on the course and she replied ‘Like I belonged ‘. Isn’t that lovely and testament to the warmth of the welcome she had received. She is so disappointed to be missing this week but such is the lot of a dancer !
Thanks again and good luck with the rest of the course

2003

From Jennie Harrington, dancer with English National Ballet:

I attended the summer course at the end of my last year of training at the London Studio Centre I was offered a scholarship for the course by Margaret Barbieri. I was really looking forward to working with such high calibre teachers, and they were from quite a broad spectrum of dance so it was easy to see there would be something for everyone. The classes were challenging throughout the two weeks and were varied as well. I was very glad that the details of the course changed for the second week and were not duplicated (as with some other courses) as so many of us stayed for both weeks. Amy Hollingsworth is a very inspirational teacher and gave so much to us all, I would have loved more classes with her as it took a while to relax into the different style. I really enjoyed all of the solos we learnt, especially ones that I hadn’t come across before, i.e. the Etudes solos. The pas de deux calsses were challenging but good fun – even when things get too tricky it is very easy to give up, however, I found that I didn’t want to stop trying! The classes with Christopher Hampson gave everyone a good insight into working with a company and the choreographers associated with them, and were good fun too. Although there were bits of information on our accomodation and what we should expect to pay for food, it was useful to have the traveller’s hostel website just to get details on facilities etc., especially as we cooked for ourselves a few nights so it was good to know about the kitchen. A week after the course I started with English National Ballet. (I was pleased with the timing of the course as it was one week before I started there, and I really feel it helped me keep in shape and gave me a taste of the dancers I would soon be performing with!) and am currently dancing in Cinderella, Melody on the Move and The Nutcracker. I would definitely recommend this course, to be in the same room as so many famous people is something that I will probably never experience again (unless I come back!) and I genuinely had fun and enjoyed myself. It is definitely a course worth experiencing.

From Sivan Barkai from Israel:

My name is Sivan Barkai, I am 21 years old. I studied dance at Bat-Dor Dance school in Israel for 6 years and passed RAD all through to advanced. I joined Israel Ballet Dance Company 3 years ago. At present I am a young soloist for the company. I came to the course because I was looking for a program for the summer, and after three years in the company I wanted to see something different and widen my knowledge. I was also looking for a program that could really benefit my career. Prague International Masterclasses offered excellent teachers who are also currently principal dancers in the best companies in Europe, which I thought was the best way for me to learn.

WHAT I THOUGHT OF THE COURSE…First of all I had a great time. I really enjoyed it and am glad that I had the chance to work with the teachers and learn from them. Mostly I feel that I have learnt about style and received corrections to obtain a cleaner technique. I have to say that the course organization was excellent, everything was exactly as planned ( lectures, picking up from airport,  etc…).

ABOUT PRAGUE……..Prague of course is a beautiful city, the atmosphere is very nice for dancing. The view is amazing and personally I even did some shopping.

From Holly Bond:

I am just writing to say thank you for the enjoyable week I spent at your International Ballet Masterclasses. It was extremely well organised and all the classes were interesting and helped me a great deal. I particularly enjoyed the pas de deux classes and as I have never had the opportunity of such classes before, these were amazing experiences. The city of Prague was wonderful to visit and the studios were a spectacular place to dance in. Your Ballet Masterclasses were definitely the best summer school I have been on and I would love to return next year if possible. [...] Thank you again for such an excellent course.

From Evdokia Moustaka:

Hello everyone! Iam 19 years old, my name is Evdokia Moustaka and I come from Greece, Athens. I study at Central School of Ballet in London, UK, and I am currently in my final year of the three year course. I read about the Masterclasses in the Dancing Times and then looked it up on the website. I thought it would be interesting to work with teachers who still perform and came from such varied backgrounds. I was also attracted to the curriculum – the pas de deux and solo classes and creativity with Christopher Hampson. I think it was a very good experience because the level was just right for me, the teaching was very professional and the teachers were motivating and inspiring. The general atmosphere was friendly and encouraged you to work harder. The classes were exciting as we learned a lot of new repertory. In general, I think I enjoyed the chance to dance a lot, meet new people with similar interests and visit a beautiful city like Prague. The truth is we didn’t see much of it, as we were so tired in the evenings, but we walked up to the castle to see the view, went to the Jewish cemetery and also to the Charle’s Bridge. It was good that we lived so close to the centre, so everything was within walking distance. The architecture and streets were gorgeous and the crystal as well! Everything is quite cheap, too, although one should beware of higher prices because the area is very touristic. I would definitely recommend the Masterclasses as the perfect combination of professional summerschool and surroundings. Friendly people and an exciting city to visit!

From Stina Quagebeur, dancer with English National Ballet:

My name is Stina Quagebeur. I am now into my final graduating term at the English National Ballet School. The summer holiday is always too long for dancers, and so I was looking for something to keep me going. The Ballet Masterclasses in Prague was an amazing opportunity to work with such famous dancers. They didn’t always have to explain everything (even if you don’t understand any English) because by watching them move I learned a great deal and it gave me much inspiration and self-motivation. To be away in another country exploring the beautiful city of Prague was a great bonus. I went back into my final term at school in September having learned a huge amount and still feel very privileged to have worked with so many great people.

From Carlotta Rota:

I’m Carlotta Rota from Milan, Italy. I’m 26 years old and I have been taking ballet since I was 11. I’m not a professional but, as Ian has defined me, I’m an enthusiast! In the past four years I’ve been looking for a very good ballet summer workshop somewhere in Europe, and finally I found it! I’ve been to Vignale Danza (Italy), Nina Soldum Memorial in Rapallo (Italy), Komiza (Croatia) before finding in August 2003 the best Ballet Masterclass in Prague. I discovered it through the internet and I had an excellent impression from it. Every day class schedule and all organization behind it have just been great. Staff, teachers, classes, people I’ve met there – they all exceeded my expectations! All I can say is that it’s really complete, it gives you everything. I think for professionals or professionals-to-be, it is key for future career and basic training, not only for your body but also for your mind and your heart. The atmosphere you can breathe there is very artistic and internatinal. Classes organization and efficiency, staff friendliness and support, and the city’s magic definitely complete it. I loved pas de deux and repertoire classes the most, but I also enjoyed lectures and videos from teachers’ previous works and career. I really advise you to try and be at next year’s Masterclass in Prague – I know I will! My best compliments go to the teachers and to staff and organization and special thanks to Daria and Ian for having given me the opportunity to be there. So for the ones who will be there, I hope to meet you and … enjoy