The Hermitage Ballet of St. Petersburg, Russia, is coming to America. The ballet’s debut performance will be at the Savannah Civic Center on Friday, Feb. 8, previewed by ballet classes for Bryan County dancers.

"Bryan County ballet students will get master classes from the best instructors in the world. These are the same ones who teach the ballet in Russia and are on tour with the dancers," said Director of the Board of the Hermitage Ballet Dr. Michael Donnelly.

The master classes will be Feb. 8 for all ballet students in the county, ages 12 years or older, who have been dancing on-point for at least one year. It will be offered in Richmond Hill at the Kelly Creek Studios off Hwy. 17.

"As I understand it, from the last count this morning, we have more than 100 students coming. I think that’s pretty good," Donnelly said. "The problem is that it’s a Friday and some kids would have to miss school and hate that, but this is an amazing opportunity."

This world-renowned ballet will premiere only in the southeastern U.S. The tour also includes stop-offs in Albany, Athens, Macon, Atlanta and Augusta, as well as North and South Carolina, Alabama and Florida.

The Hermitage Ballet has been touring Europe and the Far East for several decades.

This first American performance will include numbers from Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Giselle, Don Quixote, Corsair and The Dying Swan.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit the web site at www.hermitageballet.com call 1-877-662-3605 or email Donnelly at info@mmarttravel.com.