About Judy

An accredited professional, Russian-trained Judy Breen has a unique background in Classical Ballet. She has worked with many artists of international acclaim, including Kirov Ballet former director, Oleg Vinogradov. Judy brings the passion of the Russion tradition to her 25 years' teaching experience, placing many graduates into the Kirov Academy, Royal Ballet school and English National Ballet School

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Classical Ballet Training

  • 1990—Studied in St. Petersburg at the Vaganova Institute, official school for the Kirov Ballet Company.
  • 1982,1983- Russian/Vaganova Teachers` Course with Marika Besabrasova, director of the Princess Grace Academy of Classical Dance.
  • 1979-1984—Teacher training in the Russian/Vaganova method, based at the Sun Hwa Performing Arts Centre, official school for the Universal Ballet Company, Seoul, Korea.
  • Additional personal training with the following international artists (who also presided over and adjudicated Sun Hwa student ballet exams):
    Oleg Vinogradov, Kirov Ballet former director;
    Sergiu Stefanschi, National Ballet of Canada ballet master;
    Mireille Briane, School of American Ballet former principal dancer and faculty member;
    Geta Constantinescu, Rumania State Ballet former principal dancer.
Work experience (overseas)
  • 25 years teaching professional level classical ballet, overseas and in the UK
  • 1984-1986—Ballet Mistress for Universal Ballet Company.
  • 1986-1996—Director for Ballet, Sun Hwa Performing Arts Centre.
  • Personally responsible for coaching and entering students into the major Russian and European ballet schools e.g. Kirov Academy, Moscow School of Ballet, Royal Ballet School, English National Ballet School and Princess Grace Academy of Classical Dance, Monaco
  • 1994-1995—Assistant to Vaganova expert Christina Saru, in introducing the first Vaganova Teachers` Course in Korea.
UK-based work experience
  • 1996-2001—Private coaching to vocational ballet students for successful entry into English National Ballet School.
    Guest teaching in the Russian/Vaganova method at the Legat School (director, Wendy Vincent-Smith, ex-London Festival Ballet, now English National Ballet)
  • 2000—Sadler`s Wells Theatre, London, hired by Kirov Ballet former director Oleg Vinogradov, to audition and rehearse a group of English dancers to perform “Don Quixote” with his company, Universal Ballet.
  • 2001-2004—Initiated “Adult Ballet” classes in West Sussex catering for all ages ranging from 20 to 55 year olds and all abilities ranging from complete beginners to intermediate and advanced level.
  • 2003-2004—Guest Teaching at B.B.O. affiliated `Dance Laines` ballet school in Brighton, directed by Esther Juon, offering classes in the Russian/Kirov tradition.