Already renowned for academic excellence, the Lycée Victor Hugo is now making a graceful leap into the world of dance. Founded in 1976, Florence’s French school prides itself on its tradition of successfully fostering the talents of its students through teaching and extra-curricular activities. From age three through to upper secondary school, pupils work towards the Baccalauréat, the equivalent to the Italian state examination, which is also recognised in Italy.
M. Jean Pierro Pinto, director of the Lycée Victor Hugo, recently announced plans to develop the arts and culture aspect at the school. Already an international hub, the school is set to offer an exciting new dance project, beginning in September 2014, to coincide with the beginning of the 2014/15 school year. Pupils will soon have the opportunity to take part in the classical dance programme, French Dance School, under the prestigious direction of the former director of the Paris Opera Ballet School, Mlle Claude Bessy. Project coordinator Maria Perchiazzi Guaraldi was looking for a compatible school to develop this project in Italy and the Lycée Victor Hugo were very happy to incorporate it into their courses. ‘The key,’ explained director Pinto, ‘is integration: to integrate the dance course with the academic courses and to help integration amongst the international pool of students.’
The initiative will be carried out with the crème de la crème of teaching staff from the Paris Opera Ballet School. Open to all Victor Hugo students aged 8 to 12 years of age, a background in dance is not necessary for applicants, as selections will be made based on physical fitness.
Prima ballerina Mlle Bessy will be in charge of the selection process and teaching. Pupils will follow an identical programme to that of the Paris Opera Ballet School, with one and a half hours of dance every weekday, after school hours. Dance pupils will continue to study the same academic courses as all other students, therefore receiving top academic as well as dance training at a cost of 2,000 euro per year.
For further information, please contact the coordinator of the new dance course, Maria Perchiazzi Guaraldi by emailing maria@guaraldi.it or by calling 380/6413533.
