AUDITION EDITION

January/February/March 2026

The Akhmedova Ballet Magazine is a product of the collaborative efforts of the students of the Akhmedova Ballet Academy. We wish to spread our ideas and knowledge, and connect with other dance communities.

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Art plays a vital role in our lives. It serves as powerful records of the values, struggles, and identities of different societies. Artists often draw inspiration from past events, myths, traditions, and social movements, embedding those influences into their work. A strong emotional connection is created when audiences recognize familiar traditions, sayings, or symbols in art, and it reinforces cultural pride.

Artists use different methods to create their art. For example, historical references allow creators to connect the past with the present using earlier events, figures, and traditions as inspiration. Artists often include symbols, themes, or stories from history to give deeper meaning to their work. Historical references also play an important role in preserving cultural memory. When artists incorporate elements from earlier eras—such as traditional clothing, historical architecture, or well-known events—they help keep those stories alive for future generations. The other example is cultural references that appear when artists include elements from the traditions, beliefs, and everyday experiences of a particular community. These references can include language, symbols, clothing, music styles, folklore, food, and social customs. By incorporating these details, artists reflect the identity of the culture they belong to, and help people see their own lives and traditions represented in creative works.

Ballet as one of the major classical art forms reflects centuries of historical and cultural exchange, originating in the royal courts of the Italian Renaissance and later developing into a highly formalized performance tradition in France and Russia. Over time, ballet incorporated storytelling, mythology, and folklore which continue to influence global performing arts and popular culture. Today, ballet serves not only as a preservation of historical traditions but also as a living art form that shapes contemporary culture through fashion, music, theater, and modern dance. Its emphasis on discipline, expression, and narrative has inspired artists across many fields, demonstrating how ballet remains a powerful cultural symbol that bridges the past with modern artistic innovation.

Akhmedova Ballet Academy is an elite ballet studio in the Washington, DC area. ABA plays a powerful role in elevating the arts by nurturing exceptional dancers while fostering a deep appreciation for creativity and discipline. Through high-level training, innovative choreography, and intimate performances, it inspires both local audiences and aspiring artists. The studio broadens its cultural impact, making ballet more accessible and relevant. ABA’s community outreach programs further ensure that talent and hard work determines opportunity, strengthening the artistic fabric of the community and keeping the traditions of ballet vibrant and evolving. At ABA everyone is a part of a family that helps us develop and become better in many ways.

Come and witness our spectacular performances!

ARTS AND PERFORMANCES

THE IMPORTANCE OF BALLET WORLDWIDE

WITH EMMA

Martin Luther King Performance

The MLK performance was a meaningful tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It brought together performers and community members to reflect on the importance of justice, equality, and unity that Dr. King embodied. Through music and dance, the program highlighted the lasting impact of Dr. King’s message and how it continues to inspire people today. The atmosphere was lively, enthusiastic, powerful and reflective, creating a space where the audience could connect with both history and the present. The Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Tribute and Celebration at the Music Center at Strathmore served as a reminder of the importance of coming together as a community to honor his vision and continue his work.

My classmates and I had the honor of performing a group piece titled “Voices of Resilience” for the annual celebration, using powerful movement and deep emotion to express perseverance in the face of adversity and the strength found through unity. Being part of the performance felt both empowering and deeply meaningful. It was an opportunity to honor Dr. King’s legacy while expressing unity and strength through dance. Representing Akhmedova Ballet Academy on such a meaningful stage made the experience even more special. The event created a strong sense of pride and connection, showing how art can carry important messages across generations. ~Sophia

Valentine’s Day Performance

On Valentine’s Day, we had the amazing opportunity to perform at the Schweinhaut Senior Center. The Valentine’s Day Show was a performance the Akhmedova Ballet Academy had created for the purpose of presenting and sharing our love of the arts with the seniors. This performance was a hand selected compilation of classical, contemporary, and character dances that we chose especially for Valentine’s Day to provide a festive mood and a cheerful environment.It brought joy and created a heart-warming atmosphere for the seniors, showing our passion and appreciation for them. Bringing the seniors together gave them the opportunity to connect with each other and with the arts, creating an uplifting event to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

After the show, we passed out flowers and chocolates to the seniors, and engaged in conversations with them, discussing the dances and thanking them for watching our performance. It felt great sharing our love of the arts and dance with the community. It was incredibly rewarding and touching to have the opportunity to perform for senior citizens, to be able to give them a fond memory of this holiday, and be part of their Valentine’s Day. ~Nikki

Silver Spring Civic Building Performance

ABA had the honor to perform at the Silver Spring Civic Buildings Shared Humanity in Motion event. The pieces that we performed were to honor and celebrate the different cultures that exist around the world. It is important to recognize the different cultures from all around the world in their beauty and their uniqueness. We all share one world, and every culture brings something very special and unique to it. The pieces that were performed were folk, contemporary, and even ballet, at the Civic Building for the community of Silver Spring. I am honored to have had the opportunity to share in this community expression of cultural dance, and I enjoyed it very much. It was a heartwarming experience! ~Eva

East Silver Spring Elementary School Performance and Outreach

ABA had the privilege of collaborating with East Silver Spring Elementary School on two meaningful projects this year, strengthening our shared commitment to arts education within the community.

Our ABA students were invited to perform for the school’s students and families, presenting a vibrant program of classical, contemporary, and character works. The performance featured variations from Don Quixote, Nutcracker, and Le Corsaire, Russian and Slavic character dances, and a wide range of contemporary pieces. The auditorium was filled with enthusiasm, and the audience’s excitement grew with each piece, creating an atmosphere of joy and discovery.

I was also honored to represent ABA by teaching a series of ballet classes for East Silver Spring Elementary students, grades 1-5. Throughout the program, I introduced foundational ballet technique, basic positions of the arms and legs, musical awareness, and elements of ballet history. Most importantly, I emphasized the discipline, focus, and perseverance that dance requires. As the weeks progressed, the students began to retain corrections, remember details, and demonstrate genuine growth—despite having little prior exposure to ballet. Their curiosity and willingness to learn made the experience deeply rewarding and meaningful.

This collaboration was a truly enriching experience for myself and ABA students, and we look forward to future opportunities to share the beauty and discipline of ballet with the East Silver Spring Elementary School community. ~Jessica

IN THE COMMUNITY

WITH SOPHIA, NIKKI, EVA AND JESSICA

AUDITION SEASON

WITH ELLIE, SOPHIE, MIYA AND APOLLINE

In 2025, I had an amazing experience at the Akhmedova Ballet Academy summer program! During the three weeks, I learned many new skills in my various ballet, contemporary, character classes. I really enjoyed the training I received from my teachers. They were very attentive, and I attribute my progress to their teaching. Additionally, I enjoyed (and sweated in) my conditioning classes. The Pilates and cardio significantly improved my strength, stamina, and confidence in my discipline. The conditioning mostly included difficult, focused classes, however fun classes such as cardio dance and relay always made my week. Another one of my favorite parts was our lunch break. I was able to connect with the other students, many of whom are my classmates now. Last year, I only did one session, which was focused on contemporary. This year I’m attending both sessions, and I’m thrilled that I’ll receive both contemporary and classical variation focused training.

As a result of my positive experience last summer, I decided to join the year-round program as well. ABA has been such a constructive learning environment, and I’m so glad I joined. My teachers continue to be incredible, and I’ve been given so many opportunities to perform. Overall, I’ve loved participating in ABA's summer and year-round programs, and I can’t wait to continue my training!

Ellie

The teachers at the Akhmedova Ballet Academy create such a welcoming and supportive environment. I had so much fun at the ABA summer intensive where I met so many new people. I have learned so much from the Akhmedova Ballet Academy and am always left so inspired, motivated and eager to learn more after every class. I decided to join the year around program because of how amazing the teachers are and how much I grew in just the three weeks at the summer intensive. I grew not only as a student technically, but also a as a person as I learned so many important life skills through ABA. Along with this, I also receive so many amazing opportunities through the year-round program dancing in many pieces with amazing choreography and costumes. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn at my school and get corrections and feedback from my teachers every day.

Sophie

The Akhmedova Ballet Academy is a ballet school that helps students become strong, disciplined, and confident dancers. The school focuses on classical ballet training and building technique.

During the year-round training program students train 5-6 days a week and slowly build their skills over time. During the year we take ballet technique, pointe, variations, Pilates, cardio, contemporary, and character classes. One important part of the year-round program is that the classes are semi-private. This means teachers can give personal corrections and really help dancers improve.

In the 6 weeks summer intensives dancers train for 6 hours each day, which gives them more time in classes to practice and refine their skills. Each day includes ballet technique, pointe, variations, and conditioning. The goal of the summer intensive is to help dancers grow stronger, improve their skills, and become more confident.

The Akhmedova Ballet Academy is different from any other ballet school because it cares a lot about careful training and strong fundamentals. Instead of rushing into difficult tricks, the teachers make sure dancers understand the correct technique first. At ABA, students receive more personal corrections from the teachers. This helps them improve in a steady and healthy way.

This summer intensive, my main goal is to improve my technique. I want to achieve better balance, smoother turns, and nicer turnout. I also want to strengthen my feet and my knees. I hope to become more expressive as a dancer. I want my arms to move more gracefully and to connect more with the music. I plan to practice carefully and pay attention to what my teachers show me so I can achieve my goals. By the end of the summer, I hope to be a stronger dancer.

Overall, training at the Akhmedova Ballet Academy has helped me grow and improve. I have been training at this academy for four years, and each year I become stronger. The teachers help me understand ballet better and continue to support my progress. The year-round program and summer intensive both help me develop my skills and confidence. I am excited to keep learning and growing as a dancer this summer at the Akhmedova Ballet Academy summer intensive.

Miya

The Akhmedova Ballet Academy has taught me the beautiful art of ballet. The Academy focuses on the students’ technique, and teaches more like the joy of choreography, history, artistry, teamwork. I started training at ABA in 2019, and I have learned a lot. I find the training tough sometimes, but that’s what it takes to become great at doing something.

The summer intensive program at ABA first begins with class where the students learn techniques at the bar and at the center of the studio. Later, we learn parts of choreography variations that we are soon able to perform. A.B.A also teaches different styles of dance such as character, contemporary, and classical. We also cross train with Pilates to increase flexibility and endurance when it comes that helps us perform better.

I learned about famous ballets like Giselle and Nutcracker and the stories behind them, and we even have class assignments throughout the school year. I also have learned the importance of orchestra music and how it engages the audience and gives us energy to dance our best.

I like best how the Academy focuses on teamwork to create a performance that the audience will remember, and I like thinking back on my performances at A.B.A. The Akhmedova Ballet Academy has been a remarkable experience to take on throughout the school year and summer.

Apolline

ABA SPECIAL EVENTS

Meet the Dancers

WITH ELAINE

On March 21st, ABA presented “Meet the Dancers”, a showcase hosted and performed in its very own studio spaces. A glimpse into the dancers’ repertoire and spring production, the event invited the public into the academy’s everyday workspace, creating an intimate yet professional atmosphere. Despite the performance’s intimate environment in its home space, ABA’s program featured the same level of refinement, quality, and variety that it has never failed to uphold, and even more.

Consisting of classical, contemporary, and character pieces, ABA’s performance consisted of a wide spectrum of selections, showcasing the dancers’ range of technical styles and artistry. In addition to presenting the variations and group pieces typically performed at ABA’s events, “Meet the Dancers” also premiered excerpts of ABA’s large upcoming June production, Voices of Spring, which consists of an original classical work and a 12-part contemporary work.

ABA’s classical endeavor for the spring of 2026 is named “A Magical Night at the Ball”, featuring music by Austrian composer Johann Strauss and choreography by Mme. J. Akhmedova. Featuring ensemble portions as well as solo variations, the work brings to life the charming scene of a nighttime ball.

12 Rooms is ABA’s original, full-length contemporary work choreographed by Jessica Novakovich to music by American modern classical composer Kerry Muzzey. The narrative follows a young girl as she traverses through the various states or “rooms” of the mind in an exploration of the intricate mental architecture that influences our values, decisions, and behaviors every day.

However, in contrast to a traditional performance, during which the performers are viewed from several rows or even tiers away, ABA’s in-studio performance allowed the audience to be within feet of the dancers. This unique environment offered an especially immersive experience, amplifying deeper levels of nuance that may otherwise have gone unnoticed in a typical theater production. In no other opportunity could audiences feel firsthand the rush of wind as a dancer leaps past, or observe the slight softening of a gaze with a turn of the head.

The showcase concluded with a Q&A with the dancers and teachers, during which audience members asked questions regarding daily training, and rehearsal processes, and production development. In return, they received responses from a variety of perspectives, whether it be that of a teacher, choreographer, student, or performer.

What may seem like a simple Q&A session in reality adds vital insight beyond its expected role that further heightens the performance’s impact. Fairly recently, controversial opinions have been openly expressed deprecating the value of ballet and other classical art forms, sparking retaliation from all areas among the art community. These series of events have demonstrated, now more than ever, the importance of voicing the discipline, passion, and countless hours of hard work that is dedicated to the arts in every place and in every moment.

Ultimately, however, “Meet the Dancers” serves as a checkpoint to a greater product. ABA will showcase the entirety of their new classical and contemporary at their spring show on June 13th at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center. ABA invites you to engage in an evening of dance and traditional storytelling in a performance demonstrating that these art forms are not only still alive, but continuously growing, discovering, and inventing with an inextinguishable flame. We hope to see you there.

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

WITH ELIANA

ABA’s upcoming spring show showcases two original choreographies, The Twelve Rooms choreographed by Jessica Novakovich and A Magical Night at the Ball choreographed by Mme. Akhmedova. The Twelve Rooms follows a young girl’s journey through life and the different stages that it takes her. This choreography is shown fully in the style of contemporary dance and explores the different facets of life that humans face. The different rooms are figurative representations of the emotions and mental states that the girl faces such as, Hope, Joy, Doubt, Angst, Resilience, Insanity, and Peace. After her journey, she decides to change and take every lesson that she has learned from the twelve rooms in the room, A New Beginning.

My name is Eliana and I am so excited to be portraying the character of the young girl throughout her journey. I will be taking the audience to a place where they may see their own passage across life’s trials along with the moments of resilience and peace. Dancing amidst the different rooms has taught me to appreciate the moments in life that bring grief and struggle that bring strength and eventually peace. The many rehearsals have been challenging and growing myself as a dancer. I have learned how to memorize the choreography and how to express and evoke a diverse set of emotions to an audience. Challenging my ability to display the true essence and vibrance of the young girl has been one of my favorite aspects of learning and rehearsing to bring my character to life. While representing this role, I hope to awaken the audience to recognize these familiar human emotions and make them aware of the part of life’s journey they are currently venturing on.

A Magical Night at the Ball showcases the wonder and beauty of dance through ballet. In this piece, the joy of dance is shown through a waltz, a polka, and several solo variations. I am excited to be performing in the Frühlingsstimmen Waltz, which translates to the voices of spring. During this waltz, you will see the budding excitement and fresh breaths of spring. This piece will also display the character of Johann Strauss II, the composer of the music for this choreography. Strauss was an Austrian composer for dance and operas who composed many waltzes and polkas during his time. This composition of music is from the opera, Die Fledermaus that is translated to The Bat and shows a night full of waltzes and polkas during a night at a ball in Vienna.

Learning A Magical Night at the Ball, has been exciting to explore the different characters of being a dancer at an enchanting night at a ball. I have truly enjoyed dancing to the lively music and discovering the new world of dance. I invite you to come and see our performance on June 13th from 7-9 pm and explore the immersive and magical world brought to life through dance.