Candice Desilets has become the first South African ballet dancer to graduate from the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia [1, 2].

This achievement marks a historic milestone for South African performing arts, as the Vaganova Academy is one of the most rigorous and prestigious classical ballet institutions in the world. Desilets' graduation represents a breakthrough in international representation for South African dancers within the strict traditions of Russian ballet.

Desilets entered the academy in 2022 [1]. To reach this milestone, she underwent four years of intensive training [1], adhering to the academy's demanding standards of classical technique, and performance. The Vaganova method is renowned for its precision and is often considered the gold standard for classical ballet education.

Her journey in St. Petersburg required navigating both a foreign language and a highly competitive environment. By completing the program in 2026 [1], she has paved a new path for future dancers from her home country to seek training at the highest levels of the Russian system.

The graduation follows a period of deep immersion in the Vaganova tradition, which emphasizes a systematic approach to dance training. Desilets' success is being celebrated as a victory for South African talent on the global stage, proving that the region's dancers can meet the exacting requirements of the world's most elite academies [2].

While the academy has hosted students from across the globe for decades, the specific distinction of a South African graduate is a first for the institution [2].

“Candice Desilets has become the first South African ballet dancer to graduate from the Vaganova Ballet Academy”

The graduation of Candice Desilets signals a diversifying of the traditional Russian ballet pipeline. By breaking the barrier at the Vaganova Academy, Desilets establishes a precedent that may encourage more South African artists to pursue elite European training and potentially increase the visibility of African dancers in major classical companies worldwide.