International ballet stars to dance here May 1 in No. Va. Youth Ballet’s “The Sleeping Beauty”

Northern Virginia Youth Ballet (NVYB) and its affiliate school, The Academy of Russian Ballet (ARB) have announced that Colorado Ballet dancer Melissa Zoebisch and International Guest Arist Alexandru Glusacov will guest in their production of “The Sleeping Beauty” on Friday, May 1, at the Hylton Performing Arts Center.

Melissa Zoebsich is a native of Mexico and studied at the Chamber Ballet of Jalisco as well as at the Kirov Academy on full scholarship. In 2005, she joined the National Dance Company of Mexico, where she danced soloist roles in ballets including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and Carmen.

Her other repertoire includes principal roles in Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Le Corsaire, original contemporary choreographies, and many others. She was a finalist at the Korea International Ballet Competition, 2010; recipient of a Special Award KIBC, and competed at the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi.

Alexandru Glusacov is a graduate of the Choreographic Institute of Moldova. Upon graduation, he joined the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet where he rose to the position of soloist.

He is a laureate of the 1997 International Ballet Competition in Romania. He was also soloist with the Russian National Ballet and Moscow Festival Ballet where toured extensively throughout Europe and the U.S.

His repertoire includes soloist and principal roles in ballets like Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and many others.

NVYB’s production of “The Sleeping Beauty” is family friendly and adheres to tradition set forth by Marius Petipa’s original production in 1890. Sets and backgrounds were produced in Russian theatres and costumes were either custom made in Russia and Europe or by an in-house design team.

The 35 local performers joining Zoebisch and Glusacov onstage are students of ARB and range in age from eight to 18. Additional Russian Guest dancers round out the cast and provide partnering to NVYB members in various pas de deux.

NVYB and ARB provides talented area students with professional performing experience, original choreographic pieces, and exposure to acclaimed International Ballet Artists.

NVYB ARB students have placed top-12 at Youth America Grand Prix every year from 2007-2015, been voted “Best Performing Arts Group in PWC”, have been accepted to acclaimed summer intensives around the country, received traineeship offers with professional companies, and received college scholarships.

Two members were invited to study full time at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia and another member was invited to the Royal Ballet School Associate Program in London, England. In April 2013, three members of NVYB/ARB competed at the 2013 Dance Triumph Festival and Competition in Bad Krozingen, Germany.

Tickets are $35 for adults, $25 for children, seniors, and military. Tickets may be purchased at http://www.hyltoncenter.org For m.ore information, visit http://www.AcademyofRussianBalletVA.com .