At Derby Academy, we have a rich history of providing top tier ballet training to students of all ages.
Marija Sipka Bogdan is a passionate and dedicated professional ballet teacher who brings both expertise and enthusiasm to every class.
She received her professional training in Classical Ballet at the Lujo Davico Ballet Academy in Belgrade, where she specialised in the Vaganova method. During her studies, she also completed intensive teacher training under the guidance of renowned Cecchetti mentor, Mrs Eve Leveaux, developing a deep understanding of the Cecchetti method, with a focus on pure technique, épaulement, and precise movement quality.
At Derby Academy, we have a rich history of providing top-tier ballet training to students of all ages. Our journey began with the vision of our Founder, Mrs Eve Leveaux, an exceptional ballet pedagogue who held the Maestro Cecchetti Diploma and was trained by Dame Marie Rambert, pioneer of Cecchetti Ballet in Britain. Her dedication established strong artistic and educational foundations that continue to shape the Academy today.
From its beginnings, Derby Academy was created as a place where a passion for dance could thrive and where every dancer, regardless of age or level, could reach their full potential. Over the years, the Academy has grown into a community that values excellence, creativity, and artistic expression.
Today, Derby Academy offers a wide range of programmes, including Classical Ballet, Character Dance, and Repertoire performance training, combining tradition with professional standards of teaching.
As we continue to grow, we remain committed to our core values of dedication, discipline, and artistry. Our mission is to provide a nurturing and inspiring environment for every student, helping them build confidence, strength, and grace through dance.
At Derby Academy, we are committed to providing professional ballet training in a nurturing and supportive environment. Our Academy stands out for its dedication to helping students develop their skills, grow in confidence, and achieve their dance goals. Here’s why you should choose Derby Academy for your ballet journey:
Mrs Eve Leveaux was the visionary Founder of Derby Academy and an exceptional ballet pedagogue who dedicated her life to nurturing and developing future generations of dancers. She held the prestigious Maestro Cecchetti Diploma and was trained by Dame Marie Rambert, pioneer of Cecchetti Ballet in Britain.
With a deep commitment to classical ballet education, Mrs Eve established Derby Academy as a place where high standards of artistic training and discipline could flourish. Her passion for ballet shaped the Academy’s philosophy, creating an environment where students could develop both technical excellence and artistic expression.
For Mrs Eve, ballet was not simply an art form but a way of life. She believed strongly in the transformative power of dance and its ability to build character, confidence, musicality, and creativity. Her teaching approach emphasised discipline, sensitivity to music, and expressive movement, helping to develop well-rounded dancers.
With decades of experience as a teacher and choreographer, Mrs Eve became a respected and influential figure within the ballet community. Through founding Derby Academy, she created a supportive and inspiring space where students could grow artistically and personally. Her legacy continues to guide the Academy’s teaching philosophy and inspire future generations of dancers.
At Derby Academy, we take immense pride in our rich ballet heritage a tradition of excellence, artistry, and dedication to the craft of dance. With a history rooted in classical ballet, we are committed to preserving and passing on the timeless techniques that have shaped the world of dance for generations.
Our ballet programs are built on the foundations of renowned ballet methods such as Vaganova, Cecchetti, ensuring that each student receives a comprehensive and world class education in ballet. We believe in honoring the heritage of classical ballet while embracing the evolving nature of the art form.
Maestro Enrico Cecchetti,was a legendary Italian dancer, mime and ballet master, who revolutionized ballet training.
Mrs Eve Leveaux was the Founder of Derby Academy and an exceptional ballet pedagogue. She held the Maestro Cecchetti Diploma and was trained by Dame Marie Rambert, pioneer of Cecchetti Ballet in Britain.
Dame Marie Rambert DBE was a dancer and pedagogue who exerted great influence on British Ballet.
This is Agrappina Vaganova, ballerina,teacher and choreographer ,one of the most influential ballet pedagogues od 20th Century.
Nina Kirsanova was a distinguished ballet pedagogue whose work greatly influenced ballet education. The ballet academy completed by Marija Sipka Bogdan was founded by Nina Kirsanova, forming an important historical connection within the Academy’s artistic heritage.