Denise
From the first class, Leila has shown the highest standard in ballet teaching I have ever experienced. Her professionalism and knowledge were inspiring and engaging. I was challenged to work my hardest and at the best of my capabilities, and throughout the year I’ve been training I have felt stronger and reconnected to my dancing body. Leila is passionate and strict but will always have a smile and encouraging words. I am honoured to be her student. Thank you Leila!
Adult student, 2022
Sofie
My daughter, Sofie, started ballet class in Fouette Ballet School from the age of eight and a half, shortly after her elder sister, Natalie, started to learn from Ms. Leila. I did not take ballet very seriously as I thought it was merely a recreational activity for young girls. I was so wrong!
Over the years, under the teaching of Ms. Leila, Sofie’s interest in ballet grew in a scale that I could never have imagined. I often see her stretching, doing strengthening exercises and practicing movements at home. She used almost all of her wi-fi time (which was 30 minutes per day when she was in primary school) to search for information about ballet or to review performances by great ballerinas, and she aspired to dance like them.
However, what I want to say is not just about the technical aspects of ballet; it is also about how ballet has changed and saved my daughter. Before studying in her current international school, Sofie was in a traditional local primary school. She was almost crushed by the immense academic pressure that often required her to finish homework by staying up late. But she was able to put aside those hardships and academic stress when she attended ballet class in FBS and danced. With careful guidance, not only did her technique advance, her self-confidence was also rebuilt. FBS has shown her that she is capable of achieving what she put her mind to, and is unique and able.
Compared with other ballet schools that my daughters have attended, FBS is significantly smaller in size. This allowed each teacher to give their time to assess each student and to get to know them personally, such that the classes are well-tuned to each student’s skill level and needs.
Ms. Leila is an excellent and serious ballerina, and she holds the same attitude to her teaching. She aspires to teach every student to their full potential, and without her coaching, Sofie would not be able to dance as gracefully and skillfully as she does today.
I wish to thank Ms. Leila and all the teachers again, for they have inspired and taught Sofie in the past six and a half years, and will continue to do so for the years to come. I am sure many others will benefit from your teaching.
Chihiro
When we arrived to Hong Kong from Japan, my daughter Chihiro was still 6 years old. She naturally did not speak English and felt nervous when she first moved to Hong Kong.
Nevertheless, she very much wanted to take ballet lessons because she had been doing ballet for 2 years in Japan.
The day Chihiro first met Ms Leila, she decided to come to Fouette Ballet School the same day. I was really surprised honestly, because she did not usually decide quickly in most cases. I asked her why she chose Fouette Ballet school, she said “ Ms Leila taught me thoroughly and hard”.
In the beginning, Chihiro was crying every class. She was very tired emotionally because she did not understand English well and the style of teaching ballet was completely different from her previous experience.
Ms Leila supported Chihiro patiently, so Chihiro got better and better slowly but surely. Chihiro trusted Ms Leila with all her heart and wanted to continue learning Vaganova ballet with her.
During the Covid pandemic, Ms Leila provided ballet lessons quickly by using Zoom. It cheered Chihiro up, so she could keep her motivation.
After the pandemic, Chihiro could participate in two ballet competitions in Hong Kong. Ms Leila helped and coached her in all aspects – choreography, music, training, costume, etc.
Now, Chihiro is 11 years old and she can finally speak English well. But we have removed to Japan this spring. Chihiro has started a new chapter in her life in Japan.
Of course, she continues Vaganova Ballet.
All of the things Chihiro did with Ms Leila and members of Fouette Ballet school, these were great experiences for Chihiro. We are so grateful for them.
She will never forget the time she spent with Fouette Ballet School and She wishes them good every time.
Fumi, mother of Chihiro
May 2024
Laima
Leila has been teaching my 9 year old daughter ballet for over a year now and her standards are second to non. My daughter wakes up every morning she has ballet excited to see Leila that afternoon for her lessons.
Before the lessons with Leila, my daughter could not do the splits. After little over a week of stretching techniques, she could do the splits and her overall flexibility improved greatly.
My daughters confidence and enthusiasm has completely changed towards ballet. She has done half a dozen performances in front of crowds, which she was previously far to shy to do, and practices in her room when ever she has an opportunity. Ballet has now become a career possibility for Laima’s future.
She is in a small class, but with the attention she receives, it feels like she is having private lessons. My daughters progress from when she started to her level now is proof of her amazing talent. We drive an hour each way to have lessons with Leila because my daughter enjoys her lessons so much.
Natalia - Laima's mother, 2022
Xia Nong
I started taking ballet lessons when I was 6 and have been with Fouette Ballet School for 6 years. This autumn I am going to ballet school in Canada to take the professional training program.
When I was a little girl, besides ballet I also learned swimming, gymnastics, and piano . Only ballet is what I continued until now. That is all because of Ms. Leila, who taught me the fun of dancing and kept encouraging me to continue.
Ms.Leila’s teaching focus, for younger dancers to develop rhythm, balance, flexibility, and interest, and requires senior dancers hard work for strength, skills, power, and expression.
So I saw different faces of Ms. Leila, sometimes smiling like a friend, and sometimes very strict but caring.
Kalie, Vanessa, Koharu, I can remember many classmate’s names, who are continuing dancing in different countries now. Faye was in the same class as me from day one until now. We took the classes together, danced the group and duet ballet in almost all annual performances and competitions. All are unforgettable memories for me.
I would like to say THANK YOU to all of you.
Allison
When first arriving in Hong Kong, we sought a quality school to fulfill Allison's desire to progress in her dancing. While we intended to try several schools, after the trial lesson Allison said she wanted to come back to FBS. She found her first couple lesson were a big struggle as she was behind in flexibility, strength, and technique. I told Ms. Leila that if you tell her what to do, she will do it and so Allison's journey began.
Allison grew physically and mentally over the next few months to build her strength and extend her range of flexibility. Ms. Leila and the teachers set high expectations and the girls continued rising to the challenges. She was eager to show off the new poses and exercises at home. I was amazed at the things a 9 year old was capable of performing if given the opportunity and guidance. Allison and her classmates embraced the effort and finished each class perspiring with rosy-red cheeks. I always asked if she had fun and wanted to come back, to which she smiled and nodded "yes."
The small class sizes have benefited Allison with specific attention to improve and spotlight her dancing. She also found a place to bond with other like-minded dancers that have committed to a pre-professional program. I often see them working together before class to help each other with movements and bits of choreography. Allison has said that she really values learning the Vaganova method, working hard, and making improvements. She enjoys going to class with her classmates, learning variations, and performing in competitions.
As a parent, one aspect I like about the school is that it's something hard that requires Allison to show grit. She gets out of her dancing exactly the effort she puts forth, but the real dividends are in the resiliency she develops. She has learned much about technique and the vocabulary of ballet that she loves to share. I've also noticed she has evolved into a more graceful and expressive style. I no longer see her slouch at her piano and I don't have to remind her to prepare her uniform, shoes, and bun. These are small things that represent her growth in physical strength and confidence.
After 3 1/2 years studying with FBS, Allison has confidence and pride in her ballet. We thank Ms. Leila and FBS faculty for helping Allison pursue her passion!
Koharu
When she first came to Hong Kong in May 2020, she was keen to start to take ballet lessons immediately and tool the trial lesson at your school just after her 14 days of quarantine. After the trial lesson, she said “I really want to learn at this school! I believe I can improve my ballet technique”
But I was so worried at that time if she could take lessons smoothly as her English was not good and suggested other schools which has Japanese-speaking teachers and staffs. However, her intention was firm and she decided to join your school. Now, I really feel that she made a very good decision.
At the beginning, she didn’t understand enough what she was told during the lessons, but tried to intimate the actions of Ms. Leila, the principal of Fouette Ballet School. Ms. Leila always kindly taught her by touching and moving her hands and feet until she could understand the positions. Her ballet technique wasn’t good enough to dance accurately, but Ms. Leila always told us that she could do better in the future since because Koharu focused on lessons seriously and still only 11 years old.
Thanks to Ms. Leila, other teachers and classmates, she started to catch up with her fellows more and more. She concentrated on lessons at the school and often asked me to take as many lessons as possible if she could. During the online lessons, she recorded her own actions and reviewed her weak points many times. I am very moved when watching the Competition back to July 2021 and I really appreciated all supports of Ms. Leila and other teachers in Fouette Ballet School
It was only a year and half, but learning in Fouette Ballet School changed her thought about ballet. I am glad for her to improve not only her ballet technique but also mental strength. After going back to Japan, she will try to make sure that she will do her best in continuing to improve her ballet techniques based on what she learned in Fouette Ballet School.
Connor
Fouette Ballet School has really helped me realise my true potential in ballet. It has helped me grow and find strength in places I did not think was possible. Fouette Ballet School is what people look for in a traditional ballet school and matches all requirements to help you or your child with their journey.
I thought differently in the beginning of FBS, feeling worried but now I have found strength and an amazing mindset towards expressing myself through motion. It has truly helped me find myself and who I want to be when I get older.
I have really appreciated how FBS interacts with their students to make sure that they’re strong and ready for the stage. I am happy I came here for guidance and really hope it’s the same with you.
Kalie
Kalie joined ballet lessons at FBS since the age of 5, she enjoyed every single class she attend. We got attracted by the Fouette Vaganova ballet techniques which focus on student’s technique training and development of their body, instead of exam oriented classes.
Besides, we love the school arrangements of stage performances for students, there are two performances/in school competitions in a year, which my girl found great joy and achievements in them. In her free time, she always do stretching and splits whenever, wherever she goes.
As parents, we are happy to see her passion, and her improvements and developments from the training at this school.
Thank you so much to the principal Miss Leila, and all the teachers in FBS for giving so much patience and love to the students.