School of Russian Ballet: "The Nutcracker", Venice

The School of Russian Ballet may be relatively young, but it trains dancers according to time-honored traditions. Founders Darya Fedetova and Sergiy Mykhaylov espouse the Vaganova Method, the same whole-body process that helped mold the talents of such icons as Baryshnikov, Nureyev, and Zakharova. The school teaches students ages three and up, from novices just learning first position to advanced dancers training for professional ballet careers. Many pupils get the chance to perform alongside professionals in the studio's seasonal productions, which include classic fairy tales such as Snow White and the holiday favorite, The Nutcracker.