Focus on the fundamentals

Back in January, San Diego hosted the Youth America Grand Prix, a worldwide student ballet competition featuring young dancers from all across California and the Southwest — and one small ballet school in Solana Beach emerged with impressive results.

Ballet Arte not only took home an award for Outstanding School, but all eight of its participants scored in the top 24, two winning first prize in their category and two others taking home second.

The driving force behind those results is husband-and-wife team of Erlends Zieminch and Sara Viale. The two former professional dancers performed all over Europe and the United States and settled in San Diego to open a ballet academy.

Ballet Arte, a school that teaches everyone from young children to adults with no experience, will stage “Sleeping Beauty” on June 7 at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla.

Zieminch, 49, who was raised in Latvia, tells us about his passion for dance.

Q: What is Ballet Arte?

A: My wife and I took over Ballet Arte in 2004 and transformed the school, giving it a precise definition. We focus on classical ballet, emphasizing the importance of clean, pure technique and artistry. Dance is a philosophy of life and if you are exposed to it at a young age, you will carry the discipline and skills throughout a lifetime.

Q: Please tell us about your own ballet training.

A: I started to dance when I was 4 years old. When I turned 9, my teachers suggested auditioning for the Riga Choreography School, the same school where (Mikhail) Baryshnikov and (Alexander) Godunov started their training. The selection process was grueling. Out of 500 boys, they chose only 18 and I was one of them. I graduated with the diploma of a performing artist and was invited to join the Latvian National Opera Ballet. Later on, after (ballet master) Peter Martins’ invitation to join the New York City Ballet, I continued to train at the School of American Ballet.

Erlends Zieminch and Sara Viale — Nelvin C. Cepeda

(Nelvin C. Cepeda)

Q: What was it like to be a young boy interested in ballet? Was there a stigma or was it more accepted in Latvia?

A: When I grew up, Latvia was part of the former Soviet Union. Professional ballet dancers were highly respected and I always felt very special for the choice I made. All around the world, there are people who have diverse beliefs and opinions, and it shouldn’t stop you from doing the things you love.

Q: How do you train male students?

A: I always spend extra time with all my boys after class and during rehearsals. The training is very hard. You do not want them to feel discouraged, but at the same time you need them to be prepared for their future. If I see even the slightest hint of interest in them, I try to develop it with all my knowledge and passion.

Q: How do you keep in ballet shape?

A: Once in a while when time permits, I do some exercises. To be in shape, a dancer needs many hours of daily training and I’d rather spend my time training students.

Q: Tell us how you met your wife, Sara, who is from Italy.

A: Sara and I saw each other for the first time during one of the several Italian ballet festivals. I was performing in “Swan Lake” and she was one of the many young girls that came to ask for an autograph. Several years later we met again in the States ... it must have been destiny.

Q: What is it like to work together?

A: I love it. We make a perfect team. I highly value her professionalism and dedication. We do everything together and I enjoy every moment of it.

Q: What is a common misconception about ballet?

A: When I was still dancing, I was often asked what my real job was. I had to explain my average working day: one-and-a-half hours of daily class, five to six hours of rehearsals and performance almost every night (that’s how it is at New York City Ballet). Ballet is a profession just like musicians, doctors or lawyers.

Q: What is the difference between ballet in the United States and in Europe?

A: In Europe, professional ballet has more respect and support from the audience and the government. It is considered a national pride to have strong arts organizations.

Q: What’s the best advice you ever received?

A: It’s not a single advice, it’s more the way my parents raised me to be honest to others and myself, to be patient and persistent, and to have respect for everybody and everything. Integrity is a big part of who I am.

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to find out about you?

A: Even though I always appear very strict, I’m also able to make fun of myself, and my wife helps a great deal with it.

Q: Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend.

A: Although Sara and I are usually in the studio, when we do have free time we like to go to the beach and cook together.