Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna.
Hi Anna, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Poland and started ballet when I was very young. I trained in the Vaganova method at the National Ballet School in Bytom. At 14, I participated in the prestigious Prix de Lausanne ballet competition in Switzerland, where I reached the semifinals and received a scholarship to the Hamburg Ballet School in Germany. I later joined the Hamburg Ballet, directed by renowned American choreographer John Neumeier. I performed both corps de ballet and soloist roles in his classical and contemporary ballets, as well as works by choreographers including George Balanchine and Natalia Makarova. With the company, I traveled and performed throughout Europe, the United States and Japan, dancing on some of the world’s major stages in more than 100 performances a year.
After I stopped dancing professionally, my life went in a completely different direction. I worked in risk management at Deutsche Bank, moved to the United States, became a mom, and eventually returned to ballet. I became an ABT® Certified Teacher through the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum and completed Progressing Ballet Technique training. In my teaching, I combine those approaches with the Vaganova training that formed the foundation of my own ballet education. I’ve now been teaching in the Charlottesville area for almost ten years.
Over the years, I realized that I really love working with dancers individually. I like having the time to figure out what a dancer needs, what they are working toward, and how I can help them get there. I wanted to create a place where dancers can get more personal, focused training, whether they are preparing for a performance or competition, working toward a specific goal, or simply want to improve. That’s really how Anna Finan Ballet Atelier started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
What I realized since starting the Atelier is how useful all the different parts of my background are. My experience as a dancer shapes the way I teach, my years in banking gave me the skills to run the business side, and being a mom helps me connect with young dancers and understand them beyond just their ballet training.
Starting something from scratch definitely comes with challenges. There are a lot of decisions to make and a lot to learn along the way. But I think that’s also part of what makes it exciting. I get to teach, create new programs, organize intensives and performances, work on the marketing and finances, and think about what I want to build next. I really enjoy the variety that comes with running my own business.
As you know, we’re big fans of Anna Finan Ballet Atelier. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I created Anna Finan Ballet Atelier because I wanted to give dancers the kind of individual attention that can be difficult to provide in a traditional class setting.
A big part of my work is private and small-group coaching. I focus on technique, pointe work, strength and conditioning, as well as preparation for competitions, auditions and performances. I offer daytime classes for homeschool students, including younger dancers who are developing a strong foundation. The Atelier also gives me the opportunity to bring more dance experiences to Charlottesville through intensives, performances and guest teachers.
What I love about the Atelier is how personal the training can be. Every dancer comes in with different strengths, goals and needs. Some aspire to dance professionally, while others want to prepare for a specific competition or performance, strengthen their technique, or use ballet to complement another sport. Having the time to really get to know each dancer allows me to focus on what will help them progress.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My three kids make me happiest. They are all swimmers, and I love being able to use my knowledge of movement, strength and conditioning to help them become better athletes. It’s really rewarding to be part of something they are so passionate about. They take ballet classes and perform in Albemarle Ballet Theatre’s annual Nutcracker and Spring Gala. Seeing them on stage and watching them develop their own love for dance is very special to me. Ballet has been such a big part of my life, so being able to share that with my children means a lot. I also love creating music and dance projects with my husband, traveling home to Poland with my family, and showing my children where I grew up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.annafinanballetatelier.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annafinanballetatelier/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593581361999
