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The Quill sat down with Peter Gwiazda, a sophomore with a passion for dance. He was accepted into a prestigious dance program in New York City run by the Bolshoi Ballet Company, an internationally famous dance company based in Moscow, Russia. This historic company, "which for many years now has been regarded as one of Moscow’s main sights, was opened on 20 October 1856, on Tsar Alexander II’s coronation day." According to the Bolshoi Ballet Website, the summer program in New York City "provides expert training for serious ballet students (ages 15 - 22 years) through unique instruction by teachers from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy (BBASI). BBASI NY is a rigorous ballet training program, conducted in Russian language with the assistance of English-speaking interpreters. The program offers pre-professional ballet training through class instruction, a final performance, and other related activities."
Although getting accepted into this was a dream come true for Peter, the war in Ukraine would have a direct impact on this program. Here is what Peter had to say about his acceptance into the program and then shifting gears when the program was cancelled.
How long have you been dancing for?
11 Years
What made you want to start dancing?
My mom put me into dance after she saw me copying dancers I saw on TV.
What types of dance have you studied?
Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acro [ a style of dance that combines classical dance technique with precision acrobatic elements], Contemporary, Modern, and Precision Jazz.
What are your favorite parts of dancing?
The fact that I get to listen to music while expressing myself in a way that doesn’t require words is very therapeutic and relaxing to the soul. Dance is an art form, but it is also a sport in the sense that it is physically demanding. Your body and mind need to be connected and you must always keep yourself in shape.
Tell the readers about the summer program you applied for through the Bolshoi Ballet Program.
I originally applied for the Bolshoi Ballet for their 6 week summer program. It would have taken place at Marymount College in Manhattan, NY. The instructors would travel from Moscow- where the original Bolshoi is located.
What was the application process like?
The audition was at the Marymount Manhattan College in one of their dance studios. At the audition I was surrounded by many talented dancers that shared the same passion as I. The audition gave us a taste of what to expect if we were accepted into their program.
In three words how would you describe how you felt when you found out you have been accepted
Excited, relieved, and proud.
Where does the program stand at this point in time?
The Bolshoi Ballet had to cancel their summer program because of the fact that the instructors could not travel from Russia, due to the raging war in Europe.
Originally, the administration at the Bolshoi was optimistic that the program would still happen, but due to the circumstances, it had to be cancelled.
I then auditioned for the Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory’s 4 week summer program in Torrington, CT. I got in on a 100% dance scholarship and a 25% room and board scholarship.
Greenport could not be more proud of Peter. Here at the Quill we look forward to all that the future holds for him! We too are excited and proud!
Peter dancing at age 8 from The Suffolk Times
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