Two ballet schools merge to revolutionize the ballet business

The significant number of ballet schools around the metro not only signifies the profitability of such a business endeavor – it also asserts that Filipinos have unquestionable talent and skills for dance, furthered by a penchant for ballet and the performing arts.

Vella C. Damian, a noted dramatic ballerina whose talent and passion has made her world-famous, has teamed up with entrepreneurs Gie and Gerry Bote for a partnership that recently launched the Vibeca and Vella C. Damian Ballet Studio.

Damian and the Bote couple both own and run distinctive ballet schools, but following a common vision to "make the highest standard of classical ballet training available far and wide," the partners decided to forge the alliance for a new direction in the ballet school industry.

Formerly called Vibeca Danskul, the studio is located at Cubao, Quezon City, and owned by the Bote couple. It was opened in year 2003 and enjoyed modest success for its wide variety of dance classes catering to students from all ages and proficiency levels.

Late last year however, the Bote couple decided to implement a long-ranging plan to move to another location in Mindanao Avenue and subsequently close the Cubao studio.

"Gie and Gerry’s two daughters were my ballet students when they were in grade school, and after seeing their family again after so many years, I heard about their plan to transfer to Mindanao Ave. I just casually mentioned that it was a pity for them to close the studio, since it has established a reputation and is so well-equipped, so Gie made a kind of informal offer if I was interested in running it, and I said yes," Damian related.

Damian, who trained in New York and performed all over the world during her heyday as a ballerina, holds an outstanding resumé which has led her to establish the School of Ballet and Dance Arts, now known as the Vella C. Damian School of Ballet. It has five branches: a main studio in Mayon, Quezon City; school-based studios at Sta. Isabel College, St. Paul College Pasig, and St. Paul University Quezon City; at the New Manila Ballet Center, and now, the Vibeca and Vella C. Damian Ballet.

She is also the co-author of the National Ballet Syllabus and the Philippine coordinator of the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet (ACB) Syllabus (Russian-Vaganova Method) written by Christine Walsh. As such, the Vibeca and Vella C. Damian Ballet will follow this syllabus which is implemented in all of Damian’s schools.

Her reputation as a respected figure in the ballet world complements the Bote couple’s formidable business acumen. Aside from the ballet school, Gie and Gerry Bote also own and run Agrikultura Pilipina, Inc., the country’s largest producer of anthuriums.

"Both Vibeca Ballet and Vella Damian Ballet School run respectable and strong operations individually. Both bring foundational strengths into the new company. Vibeca is strong in business operations and Vella Damian’s strength is in the technical aspects of running a school," said Gie.

The partnership also aims for an immediate increase in total student enrolment, which will boost revenues at a lower cost of operating. "As the partnership generates more funds that will be pumped back into the school operations, the school is able to implement programs to further improve teaching efficiency. Over the long-term, we see Vibeca and Vella C. Damian Ballet more intensely empowered to inspire a large population of young people to realize their artistic dreams," Gie further explained.

The new partnership takes effect this summer season, in time to accommodate vacationing students. Damian will serve as the Ballet Directress while Gie will retain her role as School Administrator.

"As Ballet Directress, I will oversee artistic and technical aspects and make sure our teachers are competent. We will also alternate examinations with school concerts every other year, so that we are more focused on the training program," Damian added.

Vibeca and Vella C. Damian Ballet will also offer other types of dance previously offered at Vibeca Danskul, including jazz, streetdancing, and contemporary dance, among others.

Damian and Gie Bote also noted that running a ballet school is profitable enough, which is why many institutions are offering the same services. The difference however, manifests on the students themselves, whether they have been trained well and are confident enough to perform on stage.

"There is enough room for more top caliber ballet schools. There are more than enough potential students in the population. In fact, more competition results in better awareness about the contribution of ballet to the development of the youth, especially in the areas of discipline and commitment. We put up a ballet school not because it is lucrative but because of our passion to help young people discover their potential in performing arts, and help them maximize such potential," Gie concluded.

Vibeca and Vella C. Damian Ballet, located at the ground floor of the AMO Building, 92 New York St., Cubao, Quezon City, offers summer workshops in classical ballet, jazz and street dancing starting April. For inquiries, call 912-4283,912-6781 or 9957441.