Sometimes there is an official audition for the graduating class of the Vaganova Academy. Sometimes artists come for a private audition. Sometimes they come by recommendation. Sometimes our ballet teachers go to different companies inside Russia and they invite artists who are by their opinion best suited to work in the troupe, with considerations for the changing repertoire. I think we have about 60.
Professional teachers give the classes in the theater.
Yes, we have an accompanist and we have live piano accompaniment for all lessons in St. Petersburg, with rare exceptions. We work using recordings of our accompanist that are taped during our lessons in Russia. In each case it happens in a different way. Some artists begin by dancing all the corps de ballet roles and then are invited to work exclusively as soloists. Some dancers are hired as soloists from the beginning.