Serious ballet students from around Long Island are traveling to Sea Cliff to participate in Russian Ballet School's new Junior Company. The Junior Company was introduced on Dec. 19 during the school's open house when the first students chosen for the Company gave a demonstration performance for parents and guests.

"We are very excited to begin rehearsals for our Junior Company," said Irina Uralsky who directs the school with her husband Konstantin. "Performance is an important part of any dancer's education. It gives the students a chance to apply the principles that they are learning in class in front of an audience. It is also our intention to broaden the public's appreciation and understanding of ballet through civic performances and educational programs in the schools."

Russian Ballet School welcomes ballet students to audition for the Junior Company which will perform around the metropolitan New York area as part of the school's educational and professional programs. Junior Company members are required to attend classes at Russian Ballet School to prepare for performances and attend additional rehearsals. "We have students from Huntington, Oyster Bay, New Hyde Park, Great Neck, Port Washington, Manhattan and even Westchester. We have many local students as well," said Konstantin Uralsky. "Students who want to study ballet in an environment based on classical training and modeled after the Russian system that produced some of the finest ballet dancers in the world are willing to travel to Sea Cliff."

For more information about auditions for the Junior Company contact Russian Ballet School at 516-656-3565.