Gabriela Taub Darvash was already a professional dancer by the time of her graduation from the Lyceum in her native Romania, when she won a scholarship from the government for the continuation of her studies at the prestigious Vaganova Institute in St. Petersburg, Russia. It was there that her exceptional gift for choreography was discovered, and she decided to develop her natural talent and further her education at the Lunacharski University in Moscow. She majored in choreography and drama direction, and earned her degree magna cum laude.

Upon graduation from university, Gabriela Darvash was nominated Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer of the State Opera Ballet in Cluj, Romania, where she remained for 14 years and choreographed 40 classical and contemporary works, winning many awards and honors. She also choreographed for other major Romanian dance companies, taught ballet and drama at the Cluj Ballet Academy, and directed projects for film and television.

In 1970, Gabriela Darvash and her husband made the difficult decision to leave Romania. She emigrated to Israel and then to the U.S. During her short stay in Israel, she choreographed and taught master classes for several classical and modern dance companies.

Since arriving in the U.S. and becoming a naturalized citizen, Gabriela Darvash has choreographed and taught master classes for companies all over the world. In New York City, she founded her own school, which produced extraordinary dancers, many of whom are principals in companies worldwide.

In 1980, Madame Darvash's 15-year-old protégée Nancy Raffa became the first American female to win the Gold Medal at the International Prix de Lausanne Competition in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Madame Darvash has coached dancers from major ballet companies including The Kirov Ballet, New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Dance Theatre of Harlem, to name just a few. She continues to teach professionals and aspiring, young dancers, as well as coaching, choreographing commissioned works, and teaching master classes for companies in Europe and America.

Class Description

Madame's unique teaching method is ideal for students of all levels who wish to concentrate on technique and develop their musicality. She uses anatomy, physics and kinetics to break down and explain movement and ballet technique. Her method is a revelation, at once simple and profound, absolutely enabling each student to achieve their maximum capability. A more in-depth discussion of Madame's teaching method may be found in The Art of Teaching Ballet: Ten Twentieth-Century Masters by Gretchen Ward Warren (University Press of Florida, 1999).