About our Method
Our classes are influenced by the Cecchetti method, a classical ballet style known for its elegance, musicality, and careful attention to technique.
For young children, this means we focus on graceful movement, balance, and body awareness — all taught in a joyful, age-appropriate way that nurtures focus, confidence, and discipline.
At DariDance OÜ, we offer a joyful and structured introduction to classical ballet for children ages 3 to 6. Classes follow a clear syllabus that teaches ballet foundations through respectful routines, such as taking turns, standing in lines, and raising hands to speak.
Inspired by Montessori principles, we use visual cues, rhythm-based exercises, and sensory props to support each child’s learning. While our lessons are guided and consistent, we also make space for creativity, imagination, and individual expression.
Our goal is to nurture grace, focus, and a love for movement in every little dancer.
Meet your Instructor
Dari Anne, or Miss Dasha, moved to the U.S. from Tallinn, Estonia at the age of three and soon became enthralled with ballet. She was trained in the Cecchetti method of ballet and was offered a position as a trainee at a local ballet company at 17 years old. By the age of 18 she was offered a paid soloist position and danced classical roles such as Tea and Marzipan in “The Nutcracker”. After three years of closely assisting the Children’s Division Coordinator, she was also given an instructor position in the Children’s Division of the company. There, she taught ballet, jazz, and tap from ages 3-6 across three campuses. Miss Dasha went on to receive her Masters degree in intercultural communication and teach English at a university to students from many different countries and continents. She is now returning to the ballet world to spread her love of dance and communicating across cultures with the little dancers of Estonia.
FAQs
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It is preferred for girls to wear black leotards, pink tights, and pink ballet slippers. It is preferred for boys to wear either black or white shirts, shorts/pants, and ballet shoes. However, if meeting the dress code is not possible for your family, please wear comfortable athletic clothing.
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Don’t worry! The class is designed to slowly introduce English vocabulary through immersion and movement. This class is for you whether your child already speaks English or would like to learn basic skills. The instructor is also fluent in Russian if further communication is needed. For Estonian families, all questions and comments may be answered over email by the founder.
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Bear in mind that these classes are primarily focused on ballet technique. This is not a language school. However, the instruction is in simple English and is mostly understandable through visual cues and repetitive movements. While we cannot guarantee your child will start speaking English without outside instruction, young minds are like sponges and may soak up the information around them quickly after repetition and confirmation through action.
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To avoid distractions for the young students, we kindly ask for parents to not join us in the classroom. However, there will be a designated “parents observation week” once every semester! This allows you to witness your child’s progress after they have grown accustomed to the ballet lessons. This will be announced on our social media platforms once the week is confirmed.
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Over an 18 week period, dancers will slowly learn ballet terminology starting with the simple plié and transitioning into 20+ basic definitions in total. In addition, dancers will be taught coordination and organized movement alone, with a partner, and in groups. Both age groups will follow a similar trajectory yet the 5-6 group will have a more mature version and a faster pace. While our lesson plans are carefully crafted, we reserve the flexibility to repeat instruction or make changes to align with the needs of each class group. If you are interested in asking about specific lesson plans please contact the instructor.
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DariDance OÜ was founded by Andrei Kisseljov in honor of his wife, who acts as the instructor and face of the family ballet program. While Dari Anne (Miss Dasha) provides the creativity and education, Andrei builds the foundation behind the scenes and makes the magic happen.