Russian ballerina to teach Carroll County dancers

“You have to be a little crazy to be a ballerina,” Todinova said Sunday, hours after she arrived in Westminster to teach local dancers the strict forms of Russian-style ballet. “It takes many hours and discipline.”

The Westminster Ballet Theatre, a professional dance company based out ofState of the Arts Dance Center, invited Todinova, 27, as a guest teacher for two weeks of dance workshops that start today.

The lessons in ballet technique, pointe, variations, character dance and partnering are for all ages and will culminate with a free performance by students and Todinova of one of Tchaikovsky?s “Swan Lake,” at Carroll Community College?s Scott Center.

“There?s nothing more dramatic than the Russian ballet, with the sets and costumes, [down] to the way they walk on stage,” said Janette Sullivan, director of Westminster Ballet. Todinova is a “living, breathing artist who is going to choreograph and teach the historic perspective” of “Swan Lake,” she said, a ballet in which the Russian ballerina usually plays the part of Baby Swan.

Tom Sullivan, Janette Sullivan?s husband and development director for the dance center, said the partnership between Moscow and Westminster won?t end this month. He said he already has plans to bring musicians from the Moscow Symphony Orchestra to Carroll County for instrument workshops in December. Local dancers may travel to Russia next year, he added.

Janette Sullivan, a professional dancer who has been teaching at her Westminster studio since 2002, said she, too, will learn from the guest teacher and can?t wait to take on the role of student once again.

“When my pointe shoes are on, something happens. It becomes ethereal, like floating on the clouds,” Sullivan said.

“Swan Lake” concert

» Who: Westminster and Moscow Ballet Theatre

» When: 7 p.m. July 28

» Where: Scott Center, Carroll Community College, 1601 Washington Road.

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