A Vaganova Academy graduate, former principal with the Estonian National Ballet and Colorado Ballet, and a Youth America Grand Prix judge — Meelis Pakri is among the world-class guest artists who work with Brevard Ballet Academy students.
Access to great guest teachers is one of the ways a serious ballet school lifts its students toward the professional level. Brevard Ballet Academy is honored to welcome world-class guest artists — and few have a more distinguished pedigree than Meelis Pakri.
A Vaganova Principal Dancer
Originally from Tallinn, Estonia, Mr. Pakri is a graduate of the world-renowned Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg. He danced as a principal dancer with the Estonian National Ballet and Colorado Ballet, performing lead roles in the major classical ballets as well as works by choreographers including George Balanchine and Martha Graham.
A Master Teacher and Competition Judge
At just 22, Mr. Pakri began teaching men’s technique and partnering at Tallinn State Ballet School. After retiring from the stage he served as Ballet Master for both Colorado Ballet and Houston Ballet. He is a frequent guest teacher in Japan, Denmark, Italy, the United States, and at The Royal Ballet in London, and has served as a judge for the Japan Grand Prix and the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) — the world’s largest student ballet competition — where his students have earned numerous awards. Today he is on faculty at The Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida.
Train Toward the Professional Level
BBA students learn from resident faculty and world-class guest artists alike. Contact us to begin serious classical training.
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