PBA's Spring Recital of Paquita Lights Up Capistrano Valley High School
Pryntsev Ballet Academy (PBA) is proud to celebrate the success of our 2026 Spring Recital, a beautiful staging of the classical ballet Paquita, performed on May 30 at Capistrano Valley High School. The evening was led by our radiant principal Dora Duan in the title role of Paquita, partnered by guest performer Thel Moore III, whose elegant presence and refined classical partnering brought the production to life. Set to the iconic music of Ludwig Minkus and supported by dancers across every level of our academy, the recital was a true showcase of classical artistry; from the youngest students taking their first confident steps on stage to our advanced dancers delivering crisp pointe work, soaring jumps, and the proud, regal port de bras that define this beloved ballet. Family, friends, and members of the Orange County dance community filled the theater for an evening that honored both tradition and the remarkable growth of every PBA dancer this year.
Paquita is one of the most cherished works in the classical repertoire, originally choreographed in the 19th century and famous for its Grand Pas Classique — a ballet that demands precision, stamina, musicality, and the kind of polished classical technique audiences associate with the world's great companies. Staging Paquita is no small undertaking: it asks every dancer, from corps to soloists, to perform with elegance, unity, and confidence — and in Dora Duan and Thel Moore III, the production found a leading pair worthy of the work's grand classical tradition. Watching our students rise to that challenge alongside our guest artist, all under the artistic direction of Mr. Ivan Pryntsev, owner and creative director of PBA, was a powerful reminder of what serious classical training, master-level coaching, and a strong studio culture can produce. Every variation, every line, every smile reflected months of disciplined work in the studio — and a love for ballet that lit up the entire stage.
A heartfelt thank-you goes out to our incredible PBA families, faculty, backstage volunteers, and the entire Capistrano Valley High School auditorium team for making this evening possible. To every dancer who took the stage — bravo. You represented the very best of what Pryntsev Ballet Academy stands for. If you or your child were inspired by what you saw and want to experience world-class classical ballet training in Orange County, the perfect next step is right around the corner: our PBA Summer Intensive runs June 15 – July 3, 2026, featuring daily technique, pointe, variations, and repertoire under the direction of Mr. Ivan Pryntsev and our expert faculty. Spaces are limited — placement classes, trial lessons, and Summer Intensive registration are now open at Pryntsev Ballet Academy — where dancers reach their ultimate potential.
PBA Faculty and Staff (from left to right: Mr. Ivan Pryntsev, Ms. Elena Chimitova, Ms. Julia Atkinson, Ms. Kristan Haitz. Ms. Aurore Stalder, and Mr. Thel Moore)
