Estonian Ballet Schools Gala Brings the Best Young Dancers to Rakvere
On Sunday, November 22 at 4:00 PM, the IX Estonian Ballet Schools Gala will take place at Rakvere Theatre. This is the only event of its kind in Estonia, bringing all Estonian ballet schools together on one stage. Over the years, Rakvere has become a meeting place for the next generation of Estonian ballet. Traditionally, twice a year (the autumn Ballet Schools Gala and the spring Estonian Children's Ballet Gala), young dancers from all Estonian ballet schools and studios take the stage at Rakvere Theatre. For the schools, it is a place to meet and learn from one another, while for the audience, the gala offers a wonderful overview of our ballet education and future rising stars.
Participating in this year's gala are MUBA, Vanemuine Dance and Ballet School, Noor Ballett Fouetté, Fléur, Goltsman Ballet Studio, and Kaurikool Ballet Studio. According to the gala's organizer, Anne Nõgu, she is pleased that Rakvere has been able to organize and maintain such an important and unique event over the years. "The gala is an eagerly awaited event for both audiences and performers across Estonia," Nõgu added.
In addition to the students, the gala will feature performances by Estonian National Ballet dancers Gabriella Vidano and Ali Urata, as well as Rakvere Dance Theatre artists Polina Albert, Mehis Saaber, and Richard Beljohin. The gala is directed by Dmitri Harchenko.
Traditionally, the Rakvere Kaurikool scholarship is also awarded at the gala to a teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to Estonian ballet education. Previous recipients include Jelena Poznjak-Kõlar, founder and pedagogue of the Vanemuine Dance and Ballet School; Alla Lilleorg, founder and pedagogue of IDA Dance School; Svetlana and Tõnu Veiler, founders and pedagogues of Noor Ballett Fouetté; Kaja Kreitzberg and Sergei Upkin, ballet pedagogues at MUBA; and Janika Suurmets, ballet pedagogue at Kaurikool. The 2026 scholarship recipient will be announced on November 22 at the Estonian Ballet Schools Gala at Rakvere Theatre.
Participating in this year's gala are MUBA, Vanemuine Dance and Ballet School, Noor Ballett Fouetté, Fléur, Goltsman Ballet Studio, and Kaurikool Ballet Studio. According to the gala's organizer, Anne Nõgu, she is pleased that Rakvere has been able to organize and maintain such an important and unique event over the years. "The gala is an eagerly awaited event for both audiences and performers across Estonia," Nõgu added.
In addition to the students, the gala will feature performances by Estonian National Ballet dancers Gabriella Vidano and Ali Urata, as well as Rakvere Dance Theatre artists Polina Albert, Mehis Saaber, and Richard Beljohin. The gala is directed by Dmitri Harchenko.
Traditionally, the Rakvere Kaurikool scholarship is also awarded at the gala to a teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to Estonian ballet education. Previous recipients include Jelena Poznjak-Kõlar, founder and pedagogue of the Vanemuine Dance and Ballet School; Alla Lilleorg, founder and pedagogue of IDA Dance School; Svetlana and Tõnu Veiler, founders and pedagogues of Noor Ballett Fouetté; Kaja Kreitzberg and Sergei Upkin, ballet pedagogues at MUBA; and Janika Suurmets, ballet pedagogue at Kaurikool. The 2026 scholarship recipient will be announced on November 22 at the Estonian Ballet Schools Gala at Rakvere Theatre.
Photo: Kaurikool Ballet Studio. Estonian Children's Ballet Gala in May 2026.
