"We were worried about our students, because it takes continuous training to keep their bodies capable of achieving a beautiful line, such as straight legs, fully-pointed feet and long, delicate arms. Though our students might not become professional ballet dancers, we still wanted them to have formal and systemic training," recalls Akhmadullina.

"Though the classes were online, students worked very hard to keep up with us. It was a difficult time for all of us back then, but we worked together to get through it," adds Peshekhodko.

Once the pandemic was brought under control, and daily life had returned to normal in the city, the couple finally met their students in the classroom which was like "having a family reunion", Akhmadullina says.