The school principal, Oksana Vakulenko, told Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that the staff included eight teachers. There are 116 students in six classes – Piano, Accordion, Visual Arts, Dance, Music Theory and Dance Theory. The students attend the school on a tuition-free basis.

Putin popped into a rehearsal of the Serpantin (Serpentine) folk dance company. The school principal said that there are three dance companies in the school.

"Serpantin is the youngest group. Elder students dance in the Alyans (Alliance) and Vdokhnoveniye (Inspiration) companies," she said. "Within one year alone, the children have won eight cups and 13 diplomas, including the Grand Prix at the Azov International Dance Festival. Children practice various styles such as folk dance, classical dance and jazz modern."

The children performed a traditional Russian dance for Putin.

"Well done, excellent work," the prime minister said, praising the young performers.

The prime minister also visited a Visual Arts class.

The teacher Galina Sachko and her students were taking a virtual tour of the Tretyakov Gallery.

"You are studying 'Boyarynya Morozova' (a painting by Vasily Surikov)," Putin said, having recognized the painting on the screen. The children nodded.

"But do you know who sent her into exile?" Governor Savchenko asked.

"The governor," the prime minister joked.

Dasha, a seventh grade student, addressed the visitors, asking them to equip the school with tablet PCs. Savchenko promised to provide them.

The prime minister also dropped by a Piano class.

The school principal said 93 students have graduated from the school in the past decade and 14 graduates have continued their education in performing and visual arts at universities across Russia.

Finally, Putin asked about the overall working conditions at the school. The teachers said that they work long hours and the school is funded by donations from sponsors and parents. The prime minister suggested that the school be given an independent status. However, Vakulenko said that she feared the school would lose its little remaining funding from the budget.

"You have been misled into thinking that an independent status deprives you of budget funds. The government's funding will remain, but it will be up to you to decide whether to spend it on salaries or renovation," Putin assured.

"Any money left after renovation could be spent on pay rises," he added.

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At the village community centre Vladimir Putin attended a rehearsal of the Nezabudki (Forget-me-nots) children’s vocal ensemble and sat in on a Drama class. The prime minister also watched a performance by young song writers.

The community centre consists of 21 hobby groups, including 14 children’s groups. The most popular of them are the Solovushka (Nightingale) folk ensemble and the Nezabudki (Forget-me-nots) children’s group, which have been winners of the Grand Prix at international contests.