Published on: 2026-09-09
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
In Moscow’s children’s art schools, subordinate to the capital’s Department of Culture, the new academic year has begun. More than 34 thousand applications were submitted to 151 creative educational institutions. These are future singers, artists, musicians, actors, dancers. Many of the kids will tie their destinies to art and creativity.
Graduates of Moscow choreographic schools and departments of Moscow art schools are successfully building careers in leading theaters of Russia. Yesterday’s talented students become performers in opera and ballet theaters in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Astrakhan, Samara, Yekaterinburg, Ryazan, and other cities. What were their first steps to success, what difficulties they had to overcome, and why they are so in love with their profession — in the material from mos.ru.
Not afraid of obstacles and distances
Veronika Makogon, an artist of the Astrakhan State Opera and Ballet Theatre, graduated last year Moscow State Choreographic School (MSCS) named after L.M. Lavrovsky. Her love for classical dance began at school.
“At the age of nine, my mother took me to the ZIL Cultural Center to see the ballet ‘The Nutcracker.’ At that time, I was interested in various things: music school, contemporary choreography, and even a circus studio. I wasn’t dreaming about ballet then, but that performance deeply touched my soul, and I realized that I wanted to dedicate my life to it,” recalls Veronika Makogon.
At the preparatory courses at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, a teacher, noticing the girl’s enthusiasm and potential, recommended applying to the choreography school. However, when the future ballerina told her parents about her desire, they were horrified. Her mother even showed her the documentary film “Prisoners of Terpsichore” (1995, directed by Yefim Reznikov) so she could see all the difficulties of ballet, but the girl did not change her decision and enrolled at the L.M. Lavrovsky Moscow Choreographic School.
“The years at the vocational school were not easy for me. Everything had to be overcome through enormous effort. Many advised me to change my profession, but there were also those who believed in me. Thanks to hard work, perseverance, and tremendous support from my parents, I was able to finish the school, learned not to give up, to believe in myself, and to understand that the impossible is possible,” shares Veronika Makogon.
The graduate faced a choice: a ballet troupe in Moscow or the opera and ballet theater in Astrakhan. In the end, Veronika Makogon chose Astrakhan. At first, she was scared by the distance and separation from home, a different city, unfamiliar people, and lack of experience in the profession. But over time, it became much easier.
“I have been lucky with the theater: a responsive team, understanding teachers, a diverse repertoire, a welcoming audience, and a large stage. At the end of the first season, I can say that I do not regret my choice. I am grateful to the theater for the opportunity to meet interesting people, try myself in different roles, dance almost the entire repertoire and even several lead roles, and to travel abroad on tours. There is no need to fear distances, the unknown, risks, and obstacles. You have to try. Yes, it will be hard at first, but you can always return home, and there may not be a second chance,” Veronika Makogon believes.
Graduates of Moscow art schools are developing culture in the Russian regionsFrom facade repairs to creating a recording studio: how Moscow art schools are preparing for the new academic year
Do not doubt and move forward only
This year, a graduate Fuete School of Arts and Moscow Choreographic School at the Moscow State Academic Dance Theatre “Gzhel” Angelika Nikulina became an artist at the Boris Eifman Ballet Theater in Saint Petersburg. Her creative journey began with a children’s club, then an art school, and finally a choreographic college.
“When I came to the ‘Gzhel’ school and immersed myself in the world of real ballet, I finally decided on a profession. Gaining multifaceted experience, I acquired incredible moral strength and physical endurance. I performed a lot, and such a natural ability as quickly memorizing new material was very useful at the school and was duly appreciated in the theater,” says Angelika Nikulina.
At the Boris Eifman Ballet Theatre, where the artist is performing today, ballet is presented at a very high level. Each production turns into a bold and spectacular show with a unique character.
“Breaking away from your home is a decisive step. Life often presents unforeseen circumstances, but that makes it more interesting: you just need to choose the path you love, not doubt yourself, and always move forward,” believes Anzhelika Nikulina.
Dream Fulfillment: How Grants from the Mayor of Moscow Help Young Musicians and Artists“Moscow Masters”: the best concertmaster and teacher in the field of art were chosen in the capital
Applause and spotlight
The spouses Matvey and Arina Nikishaev, who graduated from L.M. Lavrovsky Moscow State Choreographic University A few years ago, today they perform at the Sevastopol State Opera and Ballet Theatre, the youngest opera and ballet theatre in the country. Matvey Nikishaev fell in love with dance thanks to his older brother Georgy, who graduated from the same school.
“Once, my mother took me to a New Year’s concert where my brother was dancing. I saw him under the spotlight, surrounded by thunderous applause. And it was a challenge. I decided that I could surpass him in naturalness on stage and artistry. At first, I did poorly. The difficulties made me think that I would never become an artist. Only in the fifth year of training did I realize that I could achieve something. From that moment, largely thanks to the teachers who believed in me, I understood that this was my calling,” recalls Matvey Nikishaev.
The artist believes that in the profession it is important to enjoy dancing and transforming into one’s character, to experience what the character experiences.
“A great deal depends on the repertoire and physical exertion. Ballet requires a large reserve of energy in the third act, when there is practically none left. Therefore, the teacher, when preparing the performance, structures the class to increase the dancers’ endurance, selects exercises for the necessary muscle groups and coordination. This directly affects the level of training and, consequently, the level of skill,” says Matvey Nikishaev.
Capital city schools of arts have announced additional enrollment for the new academic yearMore than 250 thousand people took part in the contest program “New Heights”
With each passing day, becoming stronger
Arina Nikishaeva loved to dance from early childhood and did it everywhere she could. At the age of five, she asked her parents to enroll her in a choreography studio.
“The parents were glad to find a place for the child where he could expend his boundless energy. I realized this was my future life when I first stepped on stage. Here, I can be anyone; my natural reserve and shyness are erased and dissolve into the dance,” the artist shares.
According to Arina Nikishaeva, the first steps in a profession, especially moving, are undoubtedly stressful. At first, everything seems unfamiliar, but one thing remains unchanged — the love for one’s work.
“Moving to another city is always exciting and challenging. The main thing is not to be afraid to try and first and foremost to find your own theater. Do not betray your love for art, be patient even if something goes wrong, and become stronger every day,” the ballerina believes.
The program of events in city schools of arts contributes to the implementation of the goals and objectives of the national project in Moscow “Family”. It is aimed at creating conditions for the full development of children, supporting their creative abilities, and education in the field of art. The project includes numerous activities focused on developing the cultural environment, increasing accessibility to educational services, and implementing new technologies in the educational process. More about Russia’s national projects and the capital’s contribution can be found at special page.
From Children’s Art School to the Big Stage: Moscow Supports Talents at Every Stage of the Creative Journey“Everything is possible in theater except vulgarity and boredom.” Alexander Kalyagin talks about the history of Et CeteraCelebrity masterclasses and live dialogue: the capital summed up the results of the project “Lesson with a Star” for 2025
A large-scale project appeared on the mos.ru portal special project, dedicated to the development of key areas of Moscow. Among them are transport, industry, healthcare, education, sports, and the construction sector. The special project helps to learn how the capital has changed in recent years, what initiatives that make citizens’ lives even more comfortable are currently being implemented, and what awaits Moscow and its residents in the near future.
On the project page “Culture, Heritage, and Leisure Industry” You can learn about how architectural monuments are preserved in the capital. Moscow is the cultural center of the country and ranks among the top megacities in terms of the number of museums and exhibition halls. The city has created a film cluster that unites the Mosfilm studio on Ryazansky Avenue, the Gorky Film Studio, and the Mosfilm film park.
Get the main news quickly on the official channels of the city of Moscow in messengers “Max” and “Telegram”.
Please be advised; This information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.