Kirov Academy Announcements
A Letter from our President
Dear Kirov Academy Parents and Students,
I trust that you and your family are well. In a time of so much uncertainty, I would like you to know that Kirov Academy’s very first concern is for the health and well-being of our students. With that in mind, we are following the guidance for schools from the CDC, health experts, and the DC Mayor’s office to do our part in reducing the spread of COVID-19. We are eager to see our students back at the school thriving, without any interruptions to their pursuit of artistic and academic excellence.
In the meantime, as students look for a sense of assurance and search for a source of strength, please know Kirov Academy is committed to providing a safe environment for learning and to clearing a path forward with creative solutions during these unprecedented times.
2020 has been a landmark year for Kirov Academy. Under the direction of our new outstanding Artistic Director, Mr. Runquio Du, Kirov Academy won the most prestigious Outstanding School Award, the Outstanding Choreographer Award, the Grand Prix Award, together with 12 additional awards in different categories at the YAGP competition. We also welcomed our new Music Artistic Director, the distinguished Dr. Yang Sook Lee, to lift the Music Department to the highest caliber of instruction and to forge new partnerships as we pioneer interactive online learning. Furthermore, building upon the foundation of Russian artistic excellence in dance and music, we are launching new classes in the Russian School of Mathematics starting with our After School Programs.
With your help, we want to build on this energy and enthusiasm as we move forward through the remainder of the school year. Our week of Spring Break has unexpectedly turned into a month following the guidelines set for DC schools, and our school is now set to re-open on April 27th. You can rest assured that our commitment to educational and artistic excellence remains steadfast. Fortunately, since last year, Kirov Academy has been preparing to manage online classes and our amazing team of faculty has been hard at work throughout Spring Break designing a creative program of study for distance learning.
Kirov Academy will be utilizing a combination of pre-recorded classes followed by interactive Q&A, live online classes that will be recorded for students living in different time zones, private online lessons scheduled by the teacher, and guided independent study. We will follow the school calendar to the best of our ability while being cognizant of the fact that situations might shift week to week and month to month.
I know that our students and alumni have been looking forward to our 30th Anniversary Gala on May 28th-30th. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and concerns regarding overseas travel for VIP guests and alumni, Kirov Academy has made the very difficult decision to postpone our 30th Anniversary Gala Celebration to the end of the year. Nevertheless, the date for our Graduation Ceremony for seniors will remain as is for now. We will be updating you on details and any changes regarding the Gala and the Graduation Ceremony as the year unfolds.
On another note, you may have seen an article in the New York Times regarding Kirov Academy of Ballet’s challenges that occurred under prior leadership. I want to reassure you that I, myself, and the Board of Directors took immediate action upon discovery of embezzlement and the matter has been resolved. It is unfortunate that this article stretched its journalistic liberties in misquoting and misconstruing Ms. Pamela Cordova’s words. But the silver lining is that the New York Times acknowledged my parents’ investment as patrons of the arts, as well as our victories at the YAGP. For the purpose of clarity and to prevent any misunderstanding, you can read the original article and Ms. Pamela de Cordova’s response here:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/16/arts/dance/kirov-ballet-academy-embezzlement-moonies.html
Thank you once again for entrusting us with the care of your children. We take the enormity of this responsibility to heart everyday at Kirov Academy. Please be patient with us as we work to shift gears towards distance learning during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Every adversity and challenge yields new opportunities for growth and change. Without time constraints that define traditional classes and studio spaces, our students will have access to more individualized instruction, enrichment classes and creative outlets for learning. We invite you to be our partners in making our virtual classes the best they can be and look forward to your feedback and suggestions.
I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our team of teachers, administrators, and staff for their unwavering dedication and professionalism. They have been a consummate model of grace under fire. I am, indeed, blessed to work with such an exceptional group of people.
Please feel free to contact me at tm@kabdc.org should you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely,
Tatiana Moon
President & Chair
A Letter from our Academic Director
Dear Parents and Students of Kirov Academy,
As we enter this new phase of our school year, everyone is facing new challenges due to the restrictions the virus imposes on us. However, this situation also presents great possibilities for an even stronger educational program and student experience.
The academic faculty have been researching how best to carry the online content to students. The school’s media team will be continuing to upgrade the platforms that the teachers and students will be using as the weeks progress. Students will need to check their kabdc.org emails and Google classroom on a daily basis in order to stay focused on their academic responsibilities.
All students should be following the guidelines in order to attend their classes successfully:
- In general, virtual classes will follow the regular timing of the school schedule according to Eastern Standard Time. For students in different time zones click on links to watch a recording of the class. (Check your google calendar)
- Check into Google Classroom for individual subjects & links to virtual classes in the calendar.
- Check your kabdc.org email daily for emails, assignments or notices about upcoming arrangements for academic and artistic classes.
- Look for links to either live or recorded classes (Check the date and topic is in sequence). As much as it is possible teachers will be recording any live classes so that students in different time zones can still watch the content, and other students can repeat a class for further clarification.
- Download assignments or open links to be able to fulfill the requirements from the teachers.
- Upload to Google Classroom or send finished assignments by email by the due date set by the instructor.
- Keep in touch with your instructor either through email, chat, messaging or direct calling so that your instructor can give personal one-to-one instruction when you require it. Teachers will be opening up time during class-time for questions.
- For better communication with your instructors, you can provide an alternative personal email, a phone number or messenger account.
- When setting up one-on-one appointments, focus on Tuesdays & Thursdays after 12:30 pm so that there will not be a conflict with artistic or other classes.
- To navigate google classroom consult the teacher responsible for the class. Otherwise watch the following instructional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYVXDP_xvDA
If you have further questions please send an email to my account: gabbglobal@kabdc.org or text to 202-424-3780
Sincerely,
Stephen Gabb,
Academic Director
Kirov Academic Online & Campus Programs
A Letter from our Ballet Artistic Director
Dear Kirov Academy Parents and Students,
In the last three decades, Kirov Academy is proud to provide world-class arts education to our students. We have overcome many challenges in the course of this journey, and always kept our promise to prepare our future generation to enter the world as an outstanding artist with a clear moral compass. I believe in the near future, when we look back at the time that we are in now, we will recognize this is, in fact, one of those great challenges and interruptions.
How we lead the school coming out of this uncertainty is greatly dependent on the professionalism and the creative ability from all of us at Kirov Academy. In the past week, our team tirelessly researched all the available products to meet the particular demand in order for our instructors to continue their teaching remotely. It is quite a challenge to transfer a ballet classroom into a virtual classroom, but I believe behind every obstacle, lies an opportunity. After speaking to some of our ballet faculty, we are very excited about the unique possibilities and I am confident that we can, and we will, continue to provide you with the same high quality educational content. Here is the outline of our plan:
- Expectations: Every student will be provided with a detailed online study syllabus that contains educational expectations and guidelines.
- Virtual Classroom: In order to make the schedule consistent with our normal schedule, we created a Virtual Classroom using Zoom. The teachers will use Zoom to live stream the class with the students who live in the same time zone. For the students that are currently residing in different time zones, we created a Google Folder for each teacher to upload the recording of the previous classes. Students are instructed to check into the folder and finish the assignment accordingly. An Instructional email with the link for how to navigate Zoom has already been sent to all students and faculty.
- Enhanced Program in the Works: In order to elevate the quality of our distance learning experience, the Academy is currently fine-tuning a platform that will further enhance the assessment and interactivity aspect of the program. Please stay tuned.
- Additional Content: In addition to the technique class, teachers will also upload supplemental learning material, including reading and video content into his or her virtual classroom.
- Interactive Opportunities: Teachers will select various topics to engage in written or live stream discussions. The topics can include technique and musicality of one particular variation danced by different dancers, artistic style of different dancers in relation to the transformation and the development of the artform, and the artistic and political influence of Ballet history.
- Individual Coaching: Teachers will use every opportunity to engage the students in his or her particular needs. Continue to work on the areas of weakness and fine-tune technique and artistry.
Please understand that the same expectations in excellence still apply here in our virtual Classrooms. We require students and teachers to display the same commitment and dedication as they would in normal circumstances. I believe we can work together and make this disruption a unique and exceptional experience for everyone.
Sincerely,
Runqiao Du
Artistic Director
A Letter from our Music Artistic Director
Dear Kirov Academy Parents and Students,
I am very honored to have been appointed Music Artistic Director for the Kirov Academy, joining the tradition of high caliber education in the western classical arts which the dedicated faculty and administrators of the Academy have upheld for the last thirty years. I have served for 16 years as the Music Director at the Sunhwa Arts Middle and High School in Seoul, which is a sister school of the Kirov Academy. Many talented artists, including ballerinas Julia Moon and Suejin Kang, and sopranos Sumi Cho and Youngok Shin are among the world-class performers who studied at Sunhwa Arts School, which is one of the top arts schools in Korea.
In order to prepare for worldwide careers as performing artists, our students need good guidance from world class musicians, and I will continue to invite prestigious musicians from all around the world to perform and give masterclasses. I will also arrange as many performing opportunities as possible for the students, because giving performances is the most important element in building their professional career.
In this difficult time that the entire world is facing right now due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our teachers have been hard at work preparing online classes for our students. Although it is an unfortunate worldwide tragedy that has led us to formulate our online curriculum at this time, I believe we may find that it will provide new opportunities for learning that we had not imagined before. The virtual private lessons via Zoom, Facetime, and Skype along with academic classes on Google Classroom will be conducted starting from Monday, March 30.
While we are anxious to see you all in person as soon as possible, we believe that this experience will open the door to a new way of learning, and allow all of us to make the best use of our time in the coming weeks.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at yslee@kabdc.org.
I very much look forward to a time when we can all make music together.
Sincerely,
Yangsook Lee
Music Artistic Director
Letters from our After School Program
After School Ballet Program
Dear ASP Parents, Families and Friends
Effective immediately, the After-School Ballet Program (ASP) will move all classes online until further notice. This letter is to inform you of adjustments, updates, and practices in the ASP Ballet program during this period.
I understand that “traditional” ballet classes are built on in-person, socially connected, student-enacted learning, which may not translate easily online. With that said, I am confident that, together with our strong leadership and you, we are well-positioned to support and enhance a positive and productive learning environment for our ASP students.
Please read through the following content as thoroughly as possible. Once you familiarize yourselves with this information, I will send you an email to schedule a virtual meeting to address your questions and concerns.
1. Kirov Academy Virtual Classrooms: Effective immediately and until further notice, Kirov Academy will transition to Virtual Classrooms (VC) for all students and programs. The ASP will have a VC built for each level, i.e. Pre-Ballet, Dance Repertoire, Ballet I and Ballet II. Please stay tuned for detailed login instructions.
2. Syllabi: To help you support and monitor your child’s progress in class, ASP parents will have online access to a concise, level-specific syllabus containing learning outcomes, expectations, teaching methods, and evaluation criteria.
3. Delivery Methods: There are two main components in each ASP ballet class: 1) Movement Component 2) Extracurricular/Enrichment Component with VC Assignments/Homework
Movement component will be delivered as follows:
Pre-Ballet Levels 1 &2: Pre-recorded videos plus an option to participate in live Zoom class every Saturday, 10:00 – 10:30 am with Ms.Canon
Pre-Ballet Level 3: Zoom with Ms.Paramonova, Saturdays, 11:00 -11:45 am
Ballet 1: Zoom Monday, Wednesday, Friday 4:30 – 5:15 pm w/Ms. Linehan
Ballet 2: Zoom Monday, Wednesday, Friday 5:30 – 6:45 pm w/Ms. Linehan
Extracurricular/Enrichment Component with VC Assignments /Homework:
Video materials, tutorials and readings will be posted in each VC weekly. It will be your responsibility to make sure that your child accessed and completed all assignments.
4. Examples of VC Assignments:
Pre-Ballet Levels: Watch the attached excerpt from Mariinsky’s Ballet “Sleeping Beauty”. Notice how the dancer in this video uses her arm position before she begins to dance. Her fingers are held lightly and placed over her tutu. Practice this arm position at home. Post a photograph of yourself practicing this position in your VC.
Ballet 1 & 2 Levels: Watch the attached tutorial of Vaganova based
second port de bras. Practice and memorize exactly how it is shown on the video. Your Friday class will test you on your mastery of this movement.
5. Evaluation Criteria:
While we do not formally assess our ASP student with a Grade letter, we will monitor your child’s progress by using the following criteria: 1) virtual attendance/presence and participation in classes; 2) effort; 3) improvement. Please review the description for each of these criteria in the Syllabus.
6. Communication and Feedback:
Request a virtual meeting with me by emailing your availability to iwunder@kabdc.org. We can connect by Zoom biweekly to discuss your child’s progress
As we are all navigating this harrowing time, I would like to thank everyone for your patience, support and understanding. I am thankful for you, your children, my colleagues, family and friends.
Sincerely,
Irina Wunder
After School Program Manager
After School Music Program
Dear ASP Music Families:
ASP Music students have had to transition to Virtual lessons due to the spread of COVID-19 until further notice. It is necessary to maintain your child’s music education to enrich the creativity and discipline. Some students already signed up for virtual lessons via Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype with our renowned teachers and they are very satisfied with the quality of the lessons as well as the daily improvement. If you would like to try our online lesson, please contact us via email at music@kabdc.org or by phone at 202-636-0760. Not only your child will receive a private lesson with our teacher, but you will also receive KIROV FUN MUSIC theory and history materials on a weekly basis. Your child will have a performance opportunity on Saturdays via Zoom. Here is what we offer for our ASP music students:
- Virtual Private Lesson
- Weekly KIROV FUN MUSIC theory and history packet
- Zoom Performance Classes on Saturdays
As you know, there are great benefits for your child who learns to play a musical instrument. Music education is essential for your child and I would like to share a few recent articles.
American Psychological Association recently published an article, “Music Students Score better in Math, Science, English than Nonmusical Peers.” You can find the article here: https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2019/06/music-students-score-better
There is also an article “Beliefs and Values about Music in Early Childhood Education and Care: Perspectives from Practitioners.” Here is the link: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00724/full
If you are curious about the benefits of online lessons, here is the information: https://elearningindustry.com/online-music-education-for-kids-4-benefits
Thank you so much for your tremendous support during this difficult time. We can’t wait to see your smiley faces again soon!
Sincerely yours,
Jinha Park
After School Program Music Department Chair
