About Us

MRBSoc., PDTD (Hons) Principal of the Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet, Malta. Gold-medalist Ms. Dow graduated with honours in 1968 and joined famous opera and ballet companies including the Pfalztheater-Munster & Kaiserslautern in Germany, where she spent 6 years touring major cities.

She studied Ballet (Legat System) with Mdme. Legat who was one of the most celebrated ballerinas in Russia of her time.

She returned to Edinburgh and danced in the ballet La Sylphide with the Scottish Theatre Ballet and also performed on various programmes on the Scottish TV station.

In 1973, she formed her own Company, produced and choreographed in Malta, Italy, Holland & England, including Mayfair, London. She met John in Malta and the rest is history! Olivia Dow's ballet school has gone from strength to strength and leads the way to more creativity in the new millennium.

Jessica obtained her education at Anthony Lawrence Bartolo School in her primary years, followed by Maria Regina Secondary School.  She also obtained her Matsec Exams in various subjects and later she successfully completed the Administrative & Secretarial Studies Course at MCAST.

Jessica joined the Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet at the age of 5 yrs and has performed in most of Olivia Dow's productions. As a Senior teacher and together with Martina, her co-worker under the guidance of Ms. Dow continues to develop her teaching in the Legat System.

spent her primary years at Thi Lakin School and later moved to San Anton School.  She then enrolled for a national diploma in sports (Development, Coaching and Fitness) at Mcast in which she graduated with a Triple Grade of Distinction in 2009.

Her passion for dance started at a very tender age and Joined Olivia Dow school of Russian ballet in 1996. She performed in all the ballet shows and got her soloist examination in 2008.

In 2006 she joined Johane Casabene Dance Conservatoire where she started Contemporary and performed in La Sylphide. In 2009, she joined L’Académie Méditerranéenne in Marseille and studied dance full time. During this time she performed in Giselle, Beauty and the Beast and further developed her studies in contemporary and jazz. 

In 2010, she joined Northern Ballet School where she studied Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Tap, her main focus being Musical Theater. She challenged her versatility and was awarded a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance in 2014. During her time here she enjoyed performing in several shows and also got her teaching Ballet Examination in ISTD Ballet.

Pullicino holds a B.A. Hon. Degree in Professional Dance and Performance which she achieved in 2015 whilst traveling the world performing. In 2014 Rowenna joined Afro Arimba , South Africa, to work on cruise ships. One contract led to another and she has travelled the world doing what she truly loves.

Rowenna is exploring other areas within the performance and art industry, and taking on more of a leadership role whilst continuing to widen her horizons. She is currently leading lyrical jazz classes at the Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet.  She is also working full time with Orion Engineering Company whilst offering Fitness classes and Personal Training.

was born in London and started ballet aged 3 at the Kathleen Hughes School of Dancing. He went on to train at the Legat School Mark Cross Tunbridge Wells under the tuition of Mrs Bartell for 7 years, graduating in 1979.

He joined Scottish Ballet Company in 1979 and was promoted to Principal Ballet Dancer at 23, dancing all the major classical ballets such as Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, La Sylphide and Tales of Hoffman, along with several neo-classical works. He stayed with Scottish Ballet for 20 years and guested with other companies during this time.

After retiring from dance in 2001 Robert was asked to join the Russian Ballet Society by Mrs Bartell as an examiner traveling worldwide, he was later given the title as Artistic Director working closely with Mrs Bartell organising exam sessions, Summer Schools and various other activities for the Society.

 

In December of 2016 he was offered a job at the Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet in Malta where he will be teaching and coaching young students. He packed up all his possessions and left his London life and on 1 st March 2017 he arrived in Malta and began his new job and life. He will also be continuing his work with the RBS.

studied at Lily of the Valley and continued at Giovanni Curmi – Higher Secondary.  Althea also achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Communications at the University of Malta.

She started ballet at 9 years of age with Olivia Dow School of Russian ballet, performing in most of Olivia Dow’s productions. Her greatest achievement was in 2004, Barbie of Swan Lake as Barbie/Odette, besides also graduating as a Senior teacher in the Legat System

Before furthering her studies, Althea wanted to reach out and try something different. Between 2006/2007 she volunteered and got involved in a project building programme around Europe. In the summer of 2006, she attended dance training at Kledi Dance Academy in Rome, Italy.

She enrolled at the Hope Garden Ballet Academy in Maryland, USA and took daily Advanced Classes to strengthen her technique and repertoire experience. Whilst in the States in 2008, she attended audition/workshop at New York Ballet Theatre.

On her return home Althea taught dance with Masquerade Musical Theatre between 2009/2010. After a period of freelancing in Germany, Althea is back in Malta with the wish to train further in the hope to dance and perform more.

Baldacchino was educated at Chiswick House School and later at St. Martin's College.  She then continued her studies at De La Salle Sixth Form and has also obtained a degree in Bachelor of Psychology (Hons.) at the University of Malta.

At 8 years of age, Ilona joined the Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet where she performed in several ballet productions set up by Olivia Dow. She graduated as a Senior teacher in the Legat System and in her free time assists her co-workers Martina and Jessica under the direction of her principal Ms. Dow.

Ilona is currently employed as an LSA at a secondary school and has graduated in a Masters in Performance Studies in Dance at the University of Malta.

Besides her pastime in photography, her love for dance pushed her to discover other forms of dance, such as Contemporary Dance, which she finds liberating and boundless to the body.

in her primary years she attended Chiswick House School and later at St. Martin's College from where she continued her studies at De La Salle 6th Form. Having achieved a Master's Degree (Melit.) in English at the University of Malta she later graduated as a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Studies.

She joined out of curiosity, at the tender age of 6 yrs, the Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet which was located at that time in Gharghur and since then she has never ever failed to perform in any of Olivia Dow's ballet productions.

Under the influence of the Artistic Director, the late John Baldacchino, Martina has increased her dance enthusiasm when she graduated as a Senior teacher in the Legat System. Given the opportunity by Ms. Dow, her principal and alongside Jessica her colleague, she was able to explore a new area: choreography.

To complement her teaching, she also achieved Honours in the Soloist ballet level wherein she was awarded the John Baldacchino Memorial Award.

Never tired of expanding her dance knowledge and experience, Martina pursues or participates in local or international workshops or events.  She has performed in the weekly spectacle Knights Spectacular 1565 under the direction of Salvu Mallia and has also performed with Contact Dance Company and Ellipsis Dance.  

Martina currently forms part of the Maltese National Dance Company ZfinMalta Dance Ensemble.  

of Russian origin, moved to Malta at the age of 7 years. In Moscow she formed part of the Ostankino Ballet Group, training mainly in the traditional Russian Character dance and performing in various shows.

Educated at St. Paul’s Primary School and later at Sir Adrian Dingli Junior Lyceum, she continued her studies at the Junior College.

She joined the Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet when her family moved to Malta and she performed in all of Olivia's productions. In 2008 she achieved Honours in the Soloist ballet level and was awarded the John Baldacchino Memorial Scholarship. She then graduated as a Senior teacher in the Legat System.

Marianna visited Moscow to improve her technique in Classical Ballet and other forms of dance. In 2009 she attended intensive ballet classes at Goube’ European Dance Centre in Paris. In 2011 Marianna attended a 2 week rigorous training held by the Russian Ballet Society in Musselburgh, Scotland.  

Marianna is currently based in New Zealand and has founded the Arrowtown School of Russian Ballet and Creative Arts.

is well known internationally for his outstanding musicianship and as an incredible arranger, who comes from a family of musicians, has many compositions to his credit including the soundtrack and title theme of the Maltese soap-opera “Ipokriti”.

“The Alien Princess" was his first Classical Ballet which he composed with enthusiasm and love. The soundtrack was recorded at his own recording studios which is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology. “Slaves of Medina” was his second Ballet which he produced exclusively for the Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet in 1999.

Joe Brown then wrote his third Ballet – “Mermaids from the Blue Lagoon” for Olivia Dow. His latest work “Giants of Xlendi Bay” is one of his finest ever.

Joe Brown has appeared on many TV and Radio shows and also conducted the orchestra for the Malta Song Festival on various occasions. His musical scores are very imaginative and highly acclaimed internationally: touring Australia successfully and creating scores for "Simpatici".

Joe Brown continues to support the ballet school by giving his assistance in editing the music chosen for each ballet production.

(1954-2013) was the creator of King Carnival for 18 years until his tragic death in April 2013.

He always went out of his way throughout the 17 years as a stage designer & manufacturer to contribute immensely to Olivia Dow’s ballet productions with professionalism, dedication and artistry in his very special craft.

 

One of his sons, Clint, has proved to be just as enthusiastic to continue in his father’s passion.

 

(1942-2007) was co-founder of Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet. He obviously supported the School in more ways than one can possibly imagine.

John came from a family of musicians and artistes, he studied art at the Malta School of Arts aided by his father Alfred who also painted in oils. He concentrated on singing when he joined the famous Vocal Harmony Group, the Four Links in the 60's and after a very long career: first as a singer John B. Gové & later as an Impresario, a career which spanned 25 years in which time he booked hundreds of Maltese & International Artistes in Malta and abroad.

Indeed this is how Olivia & John met in 1973. John booked Olivia's company and they produced and choreographed shows in Malta, Italy, Holland & England. John was then irreversibly converted to a Balletomaniac and together with Olivia opened the Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet.

In 1994 they formed their own company "Petit Ballet Russe de Malte" later known as "Ballet Russe de Malte" (the Russian Ballet of Malta). As Artistic Director he was a profound expert in his field of arts and music! The Engine, the Creator! Touching youth with the magic of making childhood dreams come true! John, with this in mind, started writing original stories for Olivia Dow's ballet productions, inspired by Maltese landscapes.

These are the original Maltese Ballets written and directed by John Baldacchino and choreographed by Olivia Dow.  All these ballets have a libretto based on Maltese myths and culture.  

1996 "Stone Ghosts"
1997 "Red Rose for a Ballerina"
1998 "The Alien Princess"
1999 "Slaves of Medina"
2000 "Mermaids from the Blue Lagoon"
2001 "Giants of Xlendi Bay"

The Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet annually awards the John Baldacchino Memorial Scholarship.