Russian language classes and pickled cabbage are two of the challenges facing young Brisbane dancer, Ted Cooper (16), who has accepted a place at the Bolshoi Academy in Moscow, Russia. Cooper began his training in January this year, after having made the difficult decision to decline an offer from the Australian Ballet School. “I felt that moving to Russia was the best decision for me because I would develop a lot as a person, as well as a dancer”.
Perhaps Cooper’s fate was sealed when he performed with the Bolshoi in Coppelia when they came to Brisbane some years ago. He explains that this experience was a pivotal moment for him and “I set out to keep practising and keep improving”. In Australia, Cooper trained with Sayers Dance Centre in Brisbane for four years and attended the Junior Extension Program with the Queensland Ballet. He also visited Melbourne for two weeks every year to attend the Interstate Training Program with the Australian Ballet School.
Prior to taking up residence at the Bolshoi Academy, Cooper had just finished performing in the title role of Aladdin in Ballet Theatre of Queensland production of the same name at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. He had been part of the youth company for six seasons, which gave him an insight into “how a professional company works, the protocol of costume fittings, etiquette and rehearsals”.
Life at the Bolshoi Academy, explains Cooper, is “like being in a big boarding house”. A typical day starts at 7am, with classes continuing through till 6.25pm. Two hour daily Russian language classes (along with Chinese language, maths and English) are helping with communication.
Copper initially found the cultural differences challenging, with Russian people being noticeably more reserved. He explains that while at the start he found the formalities at the Academy to be quite excessive, including “standing and formally greeting teachers with your hands behind your back and remaining standing till they have fully passed you”, he now appreciates that it is the way to show your deep admiration and respect.
He explains that there is a degree of division between the Russian and the international students and says he feels lucky to have been placed in the Russian class as opposed to the international class -- which means that he gets to take part in pas de deux and historical dance classes.
While he is enjoying the benefits of being in the Russian class, at mealtime he is still classed as an international student. This has its disadvantages, including receiving different food. He explains that the Russian students receive white rice and white meat with fresh vegetables, whereas “we almost always get grechka (a buckwheat substitute for rice) and a meatball with pickled cabbage for both lunch and dinner”. Sometimes at the end of the day “we tell the djerny (people who patrol the dorms) that we are going to the shop across the street, when in actual fact we will catch the bus to the bakery and eat croissants and chocolates”.
Despite the food and language challenges, Cooper is conscientiously focussed on his goal. He explains that on one of his first days in Moscow, he saw Don Quixote performed at the Bolshoi Theatre and “it confirmed to me why I had chosen to come here”. “I think of the final pose in the ballet to motivate me every day in class.” He plans to stay in Russia for a further three years at least, to graduate with a certificate. His ultimate goal is to dance on the stage of the seven-tier golden and red, Bolshoi Theatre in his dream role of Prince Desiree from Sleeping Beauty. A dream that is sure to be realised.
- MICHELLE DURSUN
This article is published in the current issue (June/July) of Dance Australia. DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL? EMAIL dance@yaffa.com.au.
Photo of Ted Cooper by Tom Baker.