A night well-spent delving into the exotic and antique art of Russian ballet, the original art form that is becoming rare to the modern world, is alive and pirouetting at the Willis Conservatory of Classical Ballet.  As dance instructor Lisa Rios describes, the studio is “one of Bay County’s best-kept secrets.”  The seclusion has unfolded in a big way.  What one can articulate is an impasse in comparison to the emotions experienced while enjoying a performance by The Saint-Petersburg Classic Ballet Theatre of Marina Medvetskaya.  These are some of the best artists carrying on the old art, and owners of The Willis Conservatory of Classical Ballet, Professor Peggy Willis-Aarnio and Paul Aarnio combined efforts with Willis-Aarnio’s long-time colleague of the arts, a prima ballerina of Russian ballet history, Marina Medvetskaya.  Medvetskaya and Willis-Aarnio have insisted on shaping ballet’s future with its ancient past.  The integrity of the art performed is immeasurable, and truly holds something rare to not only Bay County or Florida but this country as a whole.  The idea of carrying on the tradition of ballet is admirable in itself, but once the old art is viewed in its raw and somehow still completely polished form, one helplessly yearns for a continuation of this visual experience.  Professor Willis-Aarnio states, “Choreography in dance should be a transparent phenomenon, just like the words of a story. The words should not stand out as words, but should work together as a whole to convey an idea or a story, or a feeling.” (Willis-Aarnio, P. “Classical Ballet”)

Professor Willis-Aarnio has been choreographing ballets since 1979, and created the original first ballet production of Dracula.  Formerly the Peggy Willis Ballet Company of the Conservatory of Classical Ballet, it held its opening performance in Panama City at the Marina Civic Center in early 1983.  Though she has traveled the world serving as choreographer to over 60 ballet works, she calls home to Panama City Beach, where The Peggy Willis Ballet Company of the Conservatory of Classical Ballet comfortably resides, and she serves as Artistic Director/Choreographer of its company, aiding in the proper education of Bay County’s ballet youth.  

“In 1992, she received an invitation to complete her (advanced level) pedagogical studies in Teaching Method at the Vaganova Ballet Academy in Saint-Petersburg, Russia, where she became the first American Ballet Teacher to be sanctioned as a "Certified Practitioner and Teacher of the Teaching Method of Classical Ballet."

The most amazing part of the experience is not only the honor of viewing such accomplished artists in what is truly a rare sighting due to the traveling nature of their occupation but that here, locally, we hold a portion of this treasure as our very own jewel in Professor Willis-Aarnio’s dance studio.  To know that youth displaying a passion for the performing arts as well as dancers that want to teach classical ballet do not have to travel outside of Bay County in order to do so is the most fitting part of the hidden enigma.  Education of ballet in its original Classical form is something Professor Willis-Aarnio has committed to maintaining throughout her 42 years of history involved in performing, creating, and teaching the art.  The Peggy Willis Ballet Company of the Conservatory of Classical Ballet prides itself in keeping the integrity of the dance form alive and uncompromised, which makes for a breathtaking performance.  Former Dean Jane L. Winer, PhD of Texas Tech University spoke of her knowledge of Professor Aarnio-Willis while a tenured professor at the institution for 31 years: “In fact, no student, no parent, no attorney ever brought to my attention an injury occurring in Professor Willis-Aarnio’s studio, and in this litigious age I can only conclude that there were no injuries to report.” (Willis-Aarnio, P. Agrippina Vaganova)  It is the owners’ goal to pass on the education of this forgotten art throughout the states.    

The studio offers performances in such an intimate setting compared to the typical theatre presentation.  It is the perfect arrangement; to experience the flowing and graceful movements of these Russian artists as well as select Conservatory students only feet away from your seat is almost unreal.  Admiration for this art style is easily persuaded as the dancers float through each piece.  The best part is the continuousness of the elation felt watching these beautiful bodies, stunningly-costumed, completely free of inner restraints, utilizing their bodies to truly exemplify what classical ballet is as an art form.  A performance of The Saint-Petersburg Classic Ballet Theatre of Marina Medvetskaya is an amazing experience to take in and to experience it in this rare setting leaves no room for compromise, nor does the realization that this is what ballet is meant to look like-classical by all definitions.  It is a pleasure to know that the heart of Professor Willis-Aarnio and her Willis Conservatory of Classical Ballet are dedicated to upholding such admirable standards of classical ballet for the students of Bay County. 

References

The Willis Ballet, (2007) “More Photos-Dracula, the Ballet” http://www.willisballet.com/More%20Photos%20of%20Dracula%20The%20Ballet.htm

The Willis Conservatory of Classical Ballet, “Peggy Willis-Aarnio” (2007) http://www.willisballet.com/Peggy%20Willis-Aarnio%20Biography.htm

Willis-Aarnio, P. (1999) “Classical Ballet and the 21^st Century” http://www.willisballet.com/Articles.htm

Willis-Aarnio, P. (2002). Agrippina Vaganova (1879-1951):  Her place in the history of ballet and her impact on the future of classical dance.  Lewiston NY:  Edwin Mellen.