Christine Shevchenko was born in Odessa, Ukraine where she was chosen to train in rhythmic gymnastics and ballet at an Olympic School. At the age of eight, she moved to the United States and trained for nine years at Pennsylvania Ballet’s Rock School. Shevchenko danced the children’s lead in Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker for three years, and was featured in the NBC special Degas and the Dance. In 2002 she was invited to perform with International Ballet Theatre Company’s “Stars of Kirov, Bolshoi and Ukrainian Ballet” in Annapolis, Maryland. In 2003, Shevchenko became the youngest recipient of the Princess Grace Award. Other awards include the Bronze Medal in the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, 2005 Gold Medal and Title of Laureate at the Moscow International Ballet Competition, the George Zoritch of Ballet Russe Award for Talent Recognition, and the 2010 Margaret Moore Dance Award. She danced leading and soloist roles from Don Quixote, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Harlequinade,The Flames of Paris, Grand Pas Classique, Le Corsaire, Paquita, La Bayadère, and Symphony in C. She also performed various contemporary pieces by many choreographers, including Caprice #1, specially choreographed by Benjamin Millepied for a competition.
Shevchenko joined American Ballet Theatre Studio Company in August 2006 where she performed classical and contemporary pieces, including the pas de deux from August Bournonville’s Flower Festival at Genzano, Lilac Garden and Continuo by Anthony Tudor, and Eyes that Gently Touch by Kirk Peterson. She joined American Ballet Theatre as an apprentice in December 2007 and the corps de ballet in June 2008. She became a Soloist in 2014 and a Principal Dancer in September 2017.
Her repertoire with the Company includes Polyhymnia in Apollo, Gamzatti and a Shade in La Bayadère, Milkmaid in The Bright Stream, the Fairy Summer in Cinderella, Lead Mazurka/Czardas in Coppélia, Medora in Le Corsaire, Kitri, Mercedes, the Dryad Queen, and a flower girl in Don Quixote, the title role in Firebird, Lead Can-Can Dancer in Gaîté Parisienne, Giselle, Myrta, and Moyna in Giselle, Lead Persian Lady in The Golden Cockerel, Partisan Woman in The Green Table, Pierrette in Alexei Ratmansky’s Harlequinade, Blanche Ingram in Jane Eyre, An Episode in His Past in Jardin aux Lilas, Nanine in Lady of the Camellias, Lescaut’s Mistress in Manon, Clara, the Princess and one of The Nutcracker’s Sisters in Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker, Callirhoe in Of Love and Rage, Olga in On the Dnieper, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Fairy of Joy in The Sleeping Beauty, Lilac Fairy and Diamond Fairy in Ratmansky’s The Sleeping Beauty, Odette/Odile, the pas de trois, and Italian Princess in Swan Lake, Ceres and Diana in Sylvia, Mademoiselle Marianne Chartreuse in Whipped Cream, leading roles in The Brahms-Haydn Variations, Garden Blue, Her Notes, Mozartiana, Piano Concerto #1, Raymonda Divertissements, Seven Sonatas, Single Eye, Symphonie Concertante, Symphonic Variations, and Thirteen Diversions, and featured roles in Bach Partita, Birthday Offering, Company B, Deuce Coupe, Duets, In the Upper Room, and Sinfonietta.
She created Irene in A Gathering of Ghosts, leading roles in City of Women and Songs of Bukovina, and featured roles in AfterEffect, Dream within a Dream (deferred), Everything Doesn’t Happen at Once, Praedicere, and Private Light.
ABT is grateful to Theresa Khawly for supporting the Dancer Fund in honor of Christine Shevchenko.
Denys born in Odessa, Ukraine. In 2005, he began to study in the Kyiv Municipal Ukraine Dance Academy, named after Serge Lyfar. While in the Academy he was invited to perform at the National Opera House in Kyiv, where he danced his first professional performances as Paris in Romeo and Juliet and Prince in The Nutcracker. After graduation, Denys joined National Opera House of Ukraine in Kyiv, working under the supervision and guidance of a People’s Artist of Ukraine, N.D Pryadchenko, to create his repertoire. In 2008, Denys became principal dancer. He has become known as a performer of lyrical-romantic repertoire at National Opera House of Ukraine. In the theatre he frequently partners with leading ballerinas, including E. Filipeva, T. Golyakova, N. Matsak, U. Lopatkina, N. Polakova, V. Part and P. Herrera. In 2011, Denys was honored with the title of Merited Artist of Ukraine. His popularity in Ukraine has led to many invitations to perform at international festivals. I am a regular guest artist at the, Rudolf Nureyev International Festival of Ballet Art in Ufa. Since 2014, Denys performed as a regular guest at the National Theater of Serbia; from 2014 to 2015, as a guest dancer with American Ballet Theatre and the Vienna State Opera; from 2016 to2017, as a guest dancer in the Finnish National Opera and Ballet; and the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet. He worked with teachers, such as N. Pryadchenko, V. Yaremenko, N. Makarova, I. Kolpakova, I. Muchamedov, M. Legris, J. Boocca, and O. Evreinoff. In 2017, Denys was honored with the prestigious title of People’s Artist of the Ukraine. He now travels frequently throughout Russia, France, Italy, Germany and Japan to show his skill. Denys’ repertoire includes: Solor in La Bayadere, Basil in Don Quixote (Nureyev), Prince in The Sleeping Beauty (Ratmansky), Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake (Nureyev), Albert in Giselle, Jose and Escamilio in Carmen Suite, Jean de Brienne in Raymonda, Conrad in Le Corsaire, Prince in The Nutcracker, Krass in Spartacus, The Golden Slave in Scheherazade and Alexandre in Lady of Camellias, as well as roles in a Classic Pas de Deux (Balanchine), a Grand Pas de Deux (Ober), Silvia Pas de Deux (Balanchine), Red Giselle as Chekist (Eifman) and Touch of illusion (Ricardo Amarante).
Mr. Sydorskyi was born in Kyiv, Ukraine. He was trained at the Kyiv State Ballet School and has won many international competitions and awards. He has been Principal dancer with the National Opera of Ukraine for many years and Dance Alive National Ballet in Florida. His extensive repertoire includes leading roles in numerous classical and contemporary ballet productions in Ukraine and around the world. He was given the esteemed title “Honored Artist of the Ukraine”. Mr. Sydorskyi earned a degree in dance, choreography and teaching from the famed Kyiv State Choreographic School, as well as a Master’s Degree in Theatrical Arts from the Kyiv National I. K. Karpenko-Kary Theatrical Arts University. Currently, Mr. Sydorskyi is Ballet Master in Ballet Melange and Classical Ballet Academy in Denver.
Olesia Shaytanova , was born in Ukraine( Crimea , Sevastopol) (10.07.1995)
In 2013 Olesia Shaytanova graduated from the Kyiv State Ballet School with honours. In that same year she became a soloist with the Ukraine National Opera and Ballet Theatre, and since 2016 she has been a principle with the LNOBT. Her awards include first prize at the 6th Rudolf Nureyev International Ballet competition in Budapest (2013), first prize at the 4th International Istanbul Ballet competition (2014) and first prize at the 5th Beijing International Ballet Invitational for Dance Schools (Dance Performance Series; 2014). With various companies O. Shaytanova performed in Greece, Italy, Japan, Germany, Portugal ,Poland , UK, China ,Korea, USA and etc.
2018 ( LNOBT) – special prize for the best young ballerina ( Lithuania)
2022- soloist of the year ( 2021-2022) , the best female dancer in Lithuania ( LNOBT)
Worked with choreographers: Manuel Legris , Wayne MacGregor, Martynas Rimeikis , Krzysztof Pastor , Angelika Cholina , Itzik Galili
2022- the best ballet soloist of the year ( 2021-2022) ( LNOBT) Lithuania The dancer has previously created the roles of Odette and Odile (“Swan Lake”), Bluebird and Princess Aurora (“The Sleeping Beauty”), Clara (“The Nutcracker”), Kitri (“Don Quixote”), Giselle (“Giselle”), Juliet (“Romeo and Juliet”), Medora and Gulnara (“Le Corsaire”), Gamzatti and Nikiya (“La Bayadere”), Cinderella (“Cinderella”), Snow White (“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”), Paquita (“Paquita”), Infra ( MacGregor) , Process ( Martynas Rimeikis) , Le Corsaire ( by Manuel Legris ) , R&J ( by Krzysztof Pastor ) , The Queen of Spades ( Anželika Cholina ) and etc.
Arcadian Broad – Guest Dancer
Arcadian Broad is a Dancer Choreographer Composer Actor Musician Vocalist for over a decade now. Featured on AGT and SYTYCD and the Ellen Degeneres show. Extremely experienced in multiple genres including Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop etc. Arcadian has performed numerous leading roles from Basilio, Romeo to Billy Elliot! Over 35 premiered works to date including 2 full length productions. “Beauty & the Beast” and “WonderLand: Mad Tales of the Hatter” Founded the Artist in Residence at Orlando Ballet in 2018 (20). Companies include Orlando Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Sarasota Ballet, DanceWorks Chicago, Olympic Ballet Theatre, NY Fashion Week. Having started in music (specifically piano) at age 2, I decided to dive into composition to accompany my choreography. I write for a wide range including full orchestra to solo pop music. It’s become a sort of signature to create the whole package for my productions. I am your ONE STOP SHOP for performance, choreography and new composition!
Douglas danced professionally after studying on full scholarships with American Ballet Theatre (New York), Miami City Ballet (Miami, FL), and Studio Maestro (New York). In June 2010 he was the Bronze Medal winner in the World Ballet Competition: and in June 2009 he was a finalist in The New York International Ballet Competition. Additionally, he was a semi-finalist in the renowned International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria. He won Gold in the senior classical division of the Youth American Grand Prix semifinals in Torrington, CT. In 2007 he won the Gold Medal in the senior division of the Youth Dance Festival in New Jersey. Mr. Horne has danced leading roles with the Orlando Ballet.
Téa Hinchley – Guest Dancer
Téa Hinchley grew up in Colorado where she began dancing at the age of 2. She studied at various schools around Colorado including Colorado Ballet Academy, Denver Ballet Theater, and International Ballet School. In 2016 she was accepted into Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington D.C. with a scholarship where she studied under world renown teachers. She then returned to Colorado and joined Ballet Mélange in 2020 where she trained under Elizabeth Shipiatsky for three years. She is currently a trainee with Ballet West. Téa has received numerous scholarships and awards including winning 1st place at universal ballet competition in 2022 and 2023, and winning 2nd place in YAGP in 2014. In 2018 she guested with David Taylor’s Zikr Dance Ensemble for their fall tour around Colorado and New Mexico where she performed various contemporary pieces. She has also performed several full length ballets with some of her favorite roles including: Medora in Le Corsaire, Myrtha in Giselle, and Sugarplum in the Nutcracker.
Originally from Estonia, Martin received his ballet training at Miami Valley Ballet Theatre, Virginia School of the Arts and then De La Arts Dance Company. He went on to receive his BA in Fine and Arts with an emphasis on Dance at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. While in college he performed the lead in ballets like Don Quixote, La Bayadere, Twyla Tharp’s The Storyteller and original works by CCM faculty. Post college Martin went on to dance professionally with BalletMet in Columbus Ohio under the direction of Edwaard Liang. He continued dancing with BalletMet for seven seasons and danced with Nashville Ballet for one season. His professional repertoire include works by Michael Pink, Jerome Robbins, Christopher Wheeldon, Edwaard Liang, Ohad Naharin, George Balanchine, Val Caniparoli, Alexander Ekman, Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, Gerald Charles, James Kudelka, Jimmy Orrante, Brian Enos, Ma Cong, Paul Vasterling and Twyla Tharp. In the spring of 2022 he co-founded and began dancing with a brand new ballet company here in Sarasota called Azara Ballet. While that company is in its developmental stages, he continues to enjoy dancing professionally as a guest artist with various schools and companies.
Roberto Vega – Guest Dancer
Mr. Vega joined DANB in 2015. Prior to joining DANB, Mr. Vega was first soloist with the Cuban National Ballet. Mr. Vega has performed as soloist and first soloist with ballet companies all over the world, among them companies in the Dominican Republic, Canada, Nicaragua, Spain, Italy, Mexico, England, France, Australia, Puerto Rico, and the United States. He has danced leading roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Nutcracker, Coppelia, Theme and Variations, Napoli, La Fille Mal Gardee, Time Out of Mind, and Flames of Paris among others. Featured and principal roles at DANB include the Firebird in Gerard Ebitz’s Firebird, all principal roles in The Nutcracker, A Haunted Swan Lake, Corroboree, The Ring, Lady Bug: Action Hero, ‘Puck’ in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, L’Amour, and Don Quixote. Mr. Vega is a virtuosic and versatile dancer and has a beautiful daughter, Valeria
Matthew Griffin began his ballet training in Sarasota Florida at the International Ballet of Florida under the direction of Sergiy Mykhaylov and Darya Fedotova. Matthew attended Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelors of Science in Dance Arts Administration. Griffin started with Cincinnati Ballet as an Apprentice for the 2017-2018 Season. He was promoted to New Dancer for the 2018-2019 Season and then Corps de Ballet in the 2019-2020 Season. Griffin has performed featured roles in classical and contemporary ballets including Petal by Helen Pickett, Kiss by Stephanie Martinez, and Cinderella by Victoria Morgan (step sister). In 2020, Helen Pickett created the solo Balance for Matthew as part of Cincinnati Ballet’s New Works program. Matthew has also danced in works by Ohad Naharin, Twyla Tharp, Jiří Kylián, George Balanchine, Jennifer Archibald, Travis Wall, Myles Thatcher, Jiří Kylián, David Morse, Taylor Carrasco, Melissa Gelfin, Nicolo Fonte, Devon Carney, Septime Webre, Heather Britt, Adam Hougland, Amy Seiwert, and others. Off the stage, Matthew enjoys exploring the Cincinnati food scene, listening to music, and quality time with his friends, two dogs and cat.
Elizabeth Kokaska – Guest Dancer
Elizabeth Kokaska is a dancer with Ballet Melange, and has studied with Elizabeth Shipiatsky, Sergii Sydorsky, and Maureen Breeze for many years. She has performed in a variety of classical repertoire including Le Corsaire, Giselle, The Nutcracker, Cipollino, Paquita, The Little Humpbacked Horse, Legends of Love, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty. In addition, she has performed diverse contemporary repertoire over the years. In 2020, she was selected to dance in the final round at the Grand Prix Kiev in Kiev, Ukraine. In 2022, at the Universal Ballet Competition, she was offered several scholarships for summer programs, along with a College Artistic Achievement Scholarship offer to attend Point Park University. In February 2023, she was offered many scholarships and received the Bronze medal at TANZOLMP in Berlin, Germany.
Originally from Spain. Received his training at Institut del Teatre (Barcelona) 2009-2012. Centre de Dansa de Catalunya 2012-2014, Corella Dance Academy 2014-2016, Ballettschule Theater Basel 2016-2017. He has performed with both The Washington Ballet and Sarasota Ballet before moving to Colorado to teach at Colorado Ballet Society.
Luan Brito was born in Brazil. He began his studies and graduated from Mainara Albuquerque. He participated in numerous contests and competitions, including Prix de Lausanne-selective Uruguay, Tanzolymp, Berlin, Joinville Dance Festival, YAGP-Brazil and Brasilia International Seminar among others. He won numerous awards such as Best Dancer and Outstanding Dancer while receiving scholarships to companies and schools in USA, Canada, Portugal, Holland, Switzerland, Italy and Egypt. He has danced leading roles in Don Quixote, Le Corsaire, The Nutcracker, Paquita, Raymonda and Sleeping Beauty among others. Mr. Brito joined Dance Alive National Ballet in 2022. He is a superb partner as well an explosive dancer with endless power and effortless physicality.
JESSICA ASSEF joined Atlanta Ballet in 2017. Originally from São Carlos, Brazil, she received her early training at Escola de Ballet Corpo e Arte with Jolles Salles. At the 2010 Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP) she was awarded full scholarships to Orlando Ballet School and the Princess Grace Academy in Monaco. That same year, she won the gold medal at Passo de Arte competition in Brazil. In 2013, she won silver medal at YAGP semifinals and gold medal at YAGP New York City finals. Assef spent two years at Orlando Ballet School as a trainee before becoming a member of its second company in 2013. She joined Orlando Ballet in 2014, that same year she competed at the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi.
Luciana Paris is a Soloist Dancer with American Ballet Theater. She has been dancing with ABT since 2001, and has been performing as a guest artist throughout the world. Paris’s most recent guest appearances include the Ballet Now Gala 2015 in Los Angeles, dancing The Talisman Pas de Deux with Kleber Rebello, the 5th Buenos Aires International Ballet Gala, dancing Nutcracker pas de deux and Liam Scarlett’s With a Chance of Rain, and the Fire Island Dance Festival 20th Anniversary dancing Romeo and Juliet, Balcony Scene Pas de Deux with Marcelo Gomes. She was guest artist, partnered by Herman Cornejo, at the Dance Open Ballet Festival 2013 (Saint Petersburg) in Alexei Ratmansky’s “Seven Sonatas”, the Festival des Arts de Saint-Saveur 2013 (Montreal) performing The Black Swan Pas de Deux, and at the Roberto Bolle and Friends Gala at the New York City Center in September 2013 dancing Twyla Tharp’s Sinatra Suite “. Paris portrayed the principal role of Nikiya in a full-length production of La Bayadèrein Argentina in August 2013, with Herman Cornejo as Solor, and, partnered by Cory Stearns, she danced Romeo and Juliet, Balcony Scene Pas de Deux at the Brandon Ballet Gala in November 16, 2013.
As a Guest Artist she danced for Buffalo Ballet in their Nutcracker Production.
In 2017, Luciana is invited to participate in the Australian Ballet Gala, Chile Gala of Ballet Starts, Danzar Por la Paz en Buenos Aires, among others.
Luciana was given the dance artistic Achievement Award in 2018 by FINI Dance Festival in New York.
In 2012 American Ballet Theatre designated Paris as a Certified Teacher. Since then she was invited to teach in Buenos Aires, Misiones, Córdoba, San Juan, among others. Luciana has been a guest teacher with Charm City Ballet, Central Park Dance ,YAJP, AAB, Estudio Domus, Fundación Julio Bocca, DanzayPeru, Steps Studio de la ciudad de Tucuman, Downtown Dance Factory, among many others.
She has been invited to teach at Fiorellos La Guardia Hight School of the Arts. In 2020 Luciana co-founded Dance Compañía a 3 weeks summer intensive, alongside Jonatan Lujan and Amanda Cobb.
During the winter and Spring season Luciana was a guest Director of Repertoire for the ABT STUDIO COMPANY. She also participated in a collaboration with Chanel alongside the painter Chloe Wise, and danced in Duncan Lyle Dance and Creative Genesis by Gabe Stone Shayer. In February 2021 Luciana created her first choreography for the American Ballet Theatre Incubator, a program designed to give dancers within the company to choreograph. Her new piece, Nunanu, was aired on April 19th 2021.
On July 31st Luciana produced her first performance at the WestHampton Beach Project, including 2 world premieres danced by American Ballet Theatre dancers.
Olga Pavlova, Russian prima ballerina, was born in Moscow, Russia, graduated from the famed Bolshoi Ballet Academy and The Academy of the Professional Arts (Russia) and holds a Master degree in Classical Ballet Teaching and Choreography. Olga Pavlova is The Gold Medal and 1st Prize winner at the 2nd Maya Plisetskaya International Ballet Competition in St. Petersburg and Diploma Award recipient at the 2nd Rudolf Nureyev International Ballet Competition in Budapest. Olga Pavlova is a former principal dancer of Imperial Russian Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet (Grigorovich Company), Moscow Classical Ballet, Metropolitan Classical Ballet and Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company as well as an international guest principal.
Olga Pavlova has an impressive 30 years of professional career on stage. She danced principal roles in over 50 ballets.
She toured in over 30 countries with the famous Bolshoi Ballet (Grigorovich Company). She has performed for the Queen of England, the Prince of Japan, and for many presidents. Olga had a privilege to be chosen and mentored by the World Ballet Legend Maya Plisetskaya. Ms. Pavlova performed in Maya Celebration Galas as a guest principle at Bolshoi and Kremlin (Moscow), at Mariinsky Theater (St.Petersburg), at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City, at l’Espace Pierre Cardin in Paris and other world renowned venues. Her repertoire includes choreography by Petipa, Balanchine, Fokine, Bournonville, Perot, Vaganova, Gorsky, Grigorovich, Alonso, Vainonen, Wheeldon, Ratmansky, Lavrovsky and many others.
One of the Ballet critics wrote about Olga: “… everything her feet touch turns to Gold”. Featured articles were published in Dance Magazine, which called her “The New Pavlova”. The book about her professional career “A Ballerina For Our Time Olga Pavlova” is available on Amazon and multiple bookstores.
Ms. Pavlova is also a successful teacher and coach. Since 2009 the students under her direction received multiple awards in International Ballet Competitions, and Scholarships from the largest, most prominent Ballet schools. Ms. Pavlova was awarded “Best teacher” at WBAC Grand Prix and “Outstanding coach” at ADC IBC Youth International Ballet Competition. Currently Ms. Pavlova is The Dallas Conservatory faculty, Ellison Ballet summer intensive faculty and Ballet Detroit summer intensive faculty. More info about Ms.Pavlova at www.pavlovaballet.com
Olga Golitsa was born in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Education:
Olga studied at the Kyiv Choreographic Academy and graduated in 2006.
She received higher education at the Kyiv Faculty of Choreography, earning a degree in classical choreography, teacher of professional disciplines.
Dancing career:
Immediately upon graduating, Golitsa became a member of National Opera of Ukraine, where she currently holds a position of Principal dancer.
Her repertoire includes:
“The Nutcracker”, Clara
“Snow White”, Snow White
“Swan Lake”, Odette, Odile
“Romeo and Juliet”, Juliet
“Sleeping beauty”, Aurora, Brilliant
“Raymonda”, Raymonda
“Bayadera”, Nikia, Gamzatti
“Don Quixote”, Kitri
“Gizelle”, Gizelle
“Spartacus”, Frigia
“Coppelia”, Svanilda
“Legend of love”, Shirin
“Shopeniana”, Prelude, 11 waltz
“Marriage of Figaro”, Suzanna
“Bolero”, Girl in white
Awards:
First prix of competition “Youth of the ballet”, (2001)
Third prix of competition “Artec”, (2002)
First prix of competition “Serge Lifar se la dance”, (2004)
Third prix of competition “Vaganova prix”, (2006)
Prix name of Shekera, (2011)
Prix of excellence “Teatro Greco Festival”, Italy (2017)
Honored Artist of Ukraine
Julio Concepción started at the age of 8 years old in Matanzas Cuba, receiving his professional training at the Vocational Arts School in Matanzas Cuba, and the National Ballet School in Cuba, where he graduated in 2008 as a professional dancer and Ballet teacher. Julio joined the National Ballet of Cuba in 2008. His repertoire includes the National Ballet of Cuba including Espada (Principal Toreador) in Don Quixote, Encuentros pas de deux by Lazaro Martinez, Principal in Adagio de las Espigas production of Coppelia and Sleeping Beauty. He joined Cincinnati Ballet as corp de ballet in 2013 and performed in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Camelot choreographed by Victoria Morgan, Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland choreographed by Septime Webre, Symphony in C, Sit choreographed by Jennifer Archibald and Mozart’s Requiem choreographed by Adam Hoagland. Julio joined Oklahoma City Ballet as a Principal Dancer in 2015. With Oklahoma City Ballet, Julio has danced the Principal roles in Sleeping Beauty, Midsummer night’s dreams, Giselle, Dennis Spaight’s Scheherazade 1001 Arabian Nights, Serenade and Rodeo Mr. Concepcion has been invited to dance at Ballet Galas and Festivals such as Miami International Ballet Festival and the Carreno Festival, Guest artist with ballet palm beach in the production of The Great Gatsby and Brandon Ballet. Julio is an ABT Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed ABT Teacher training intensive in Pre primary through level 3 of the ABT National training curriculum. He is also certified in Progressing Ballet Technique.
Originally from the Ukraine, studied classical ballet and graduated from the Ballet Academy of Ukraine in 2001. From 2001 through 2002 he was a soloist dancer with Classical Ballet of Kyiv. In 2002, he joined Donetsk Ballet Company and toured in Japan, United States, China, Greece, Bulgaria, and Levon. Oleksandr joined Sarasota Ballet of Florida in January of 2005 until 2008 as a Soloist. In 2008 Mr. Vykhrest joined Columbia Classical Ballet.
Hometown: Havana, Cuba
Mayara Pineiro graduated from the prestigious Cuban National Ballet School under the direction of Ramona de Sáa. She has participated in international dance festivals across the globe, including South Africa, Peru, and Canada. At age 16, Mayara won a silver medal in the International Ballet Competition held in Havana, Cuba. That same year, she received a gold medal in the Danza & Mare Competition in Calabria, Italy and a second gold medal in 2011 at the Youth American Grand Prix in Tampa, Florida. She was featured in Dance Magazine in 2015 and graced the cover of Pointe Magazine in 2016. Mayara’s courageous journey from Cuba to the U.S. was featured in the 2014 documentary Secundaria by filmmaker Mary Jane Doherty. She was a dance model in Gap’s Fit Fall 2016 Campaign.
Mayara began her professional career as a soloist with the National Opera of Bucharest, where she danced a variety of featured roles. In 2012, she was invited to be a guest artist with Balletto del Sud in Italy under the direction of Fredy Franzutti and toured throughout Italy. In 2012 to 2014 she danced with the Milwaukee Ballet.
Mayara joined Philadelphia Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet in our 2014/2015 season. She was promoted to soloist in 2015 and quickly became a principal dancer in 2016. Mayara’s repertoire with the company includes roles in Angel Corella’s Le Corsaire (Medora and Gulnara), in The Sleeping Beauty (Aurora), Giselle (Giselle), La Bayadère, (Nikiya and Gamzatti) and Don Quixote (Kitri). Her performances include Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella (Cinderella), and Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet (Juliet). She has the distinguished honor to have danced Odile/Odette in both Christopher Wheeldon’s and Angel Corella’s’ Swan Lake. Mayara has also danced in featured roles in Matthew Neenan’s Shift to Minor and Jerome Robbins’ The Concert. Included in her vast repertoire are principal roles in many ballets by George Balanchine including, The Nutcracker (Sugar Plum and Dew Drop), Western Symphony, Allegro Brillante, Square Dance, Tarantella, Serenade, Apollo, Rubies and Emeralds in Jewels, The Four Temperaments, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux and Stravinsky Violin Concerto. She has been featured in prestigious ballet such as Wayne McGregor’s Chroma, William Forsythe’s The Second Detail, David Dawson’s The Third Light and Jiri Kylian’s Petite Mort.
Mayara’s pointe shoes are generously supported by Annette and Robert E. Linck.
David Sanders, Executive Director of Ozark Ballet Theater has danced his way across America and Europe. His stage credits include West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Street Heat, The Maurice Hines Revue, Ballet Taps U.S.A., and New York State of Mind. He is a member of A.E.A. and A.F.T.R.A. His television credits include Star Search, M.T.V. rock videos, and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He has been on staff as both a teacher and a judge for every major dance organization in the U.S. and Canada.
Carlos began his ballet education at the International Ballet of Florida at the age of 11. Carlos continued his education at the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School and the Sarasota Ballet Margaret Barbieri Conservatory. The recipient of merit scholarships, Carlos attended summer intensives locally as well as with Bolshoi Ballet Summer Intensive in New York and Modas Dance in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Oklahoma City Ballet. While a student, Carlos danced variations to include Don Quixote’s Basilio, Giselle’s Albrecht, The Flames of Paris’ Marseillaise, The Sleeping Beauty’s Prince Florimund as well as contemporary works. Carlos also performed the role of the Gangster Rat in John Ringling’s Circus Nutcracker, the Nutcracker Doll for the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School and the Clown soloist in Oklahoma City Ballet’s Matthew Hart production. Carlos is currently living in Sarasota, FL as a full-time college student pursuing a degree in Information Technology while enjoying ballet through guest artist opportunities.
A native of St. Petersburg, Russia, Zhanna Dubrovskaya trained at the famed Vaganova Ballet Academy and graduated with honors in 1968. She studied with the renowned O. Yordan and V. Kostrovitskaya. For more than 20 years, Madame Dubrovskaya was a soloist with the Choreographic Miniatures Company, led by L. Yacobson, and the Maly Theatre of Opera and Ballet (St. Petersburg State Ballet). She has worked with internationally acclaimed choreographers such as L. Yacobson, I. Belsky, N. Boyarchikov, O. Vinogradov and B. Eifman. She has performed throughout the world, extensively in Europe and Asia, and is an accomplished ballerina with recognition in classical, contemporary, modern and character ballets such as Swan Lake, Paquita, La Corsaire, Giselle, La Sylphide, Les Sylphides, Coppelia, La Fille Mal Gardee, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, The Hooligans, Serenade and Theme and Variations. Madame Dubrovskaya holds a master’s degree in teaching, coaching and choreographing from the St. Petersburg Ballet Academy. Her US experience began in 1991 at the Colorado Ballet Academy and Company as a Principal Teacher and Ballet Mistress. In 1998, she assumed the position of Artistic Director of the Salt Creek Ballet School and Company, where she continues to enrich the dance community throughout Chicago. She has been invited as a master teacher and choreographer to stage classical ballets such as Giselle, La Sylphide, The Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Paquita, and Swan Lake for major companies and competitions throughout the US and Europe. Her students have received numerous awards at the Prix de Lausanne, the New York International Ballet Competition, the Helsinki Ballet Competition in Finland, the Youth America Grand Prix and many others. In June 2006, Ms. Dubrovskaya was invited to participate as a judge at the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. She is internationally respected for her preservation of the purity, musicality and aesthetics of the Russian classical ballet technique and traditions. Today, her students perform worldwide in major dance companies.
Alexei Dovgopolyi was born in the Ukraine. At the age of 12, he began his ballet studies at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, commonly known as The Bolshoi
Ballet Academy. His professors were Anatolyi Elagin, Boris Rachmanin, Igor Uksusnikov and Leonid
Zdanov. After completing his studies, Mr. Dovgopolyi was accepted into the Bolshoi
Theater- home to one of the most famous companies in the world – The Bolshoi
Ballet, where over his career he gradually rose to the rank of Principal Dancer.
At the Bolshoi Ballet, Alexei studied with Vladimir Nikonov and Boris Akimov in the pure classical style and improved his skills and professionalism with Nikolai Simachev and Nikolai Fadeechev.
He danced in the productions choreographed by famous Vladimir Vasiliev, Maya Plisetskaya and the great Yuri Grigorovich. Also, Alexei participated in Bolshoi’s international tours all over the world and was featured in films and videos made by the Bolshoi Ballet.
The New York Times wrote: “Mr. Dovgopolyi is a superb dancer, sensitive to the music and emotions of ballet, and renowned for his dramatic vigor.”
In 1990 Mr. Dovgopolyi was invited to join inaugural season of Sarasota Ballet of Florida as a Principal Dancer. He created numerous leading roles in ballets such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Paquita, Giselle, La Fille Mal Gardee, Romeo and Juliette, The Lesson, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Carmen, Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux and Apollo and held the Leading Principal Dancer position during his 10 year tenure.
He collaborated in the restaging of the Grand Pas Classique Hongrois from Raymonda, a ballet he has performed with the Bolshoi Ballet numerous times.
Mr. Dovgopolyi is a firm believer in sound teaching. He is greatly appreciated for his Master Classes in many schools and companies across USA and particularly in Florida. He is often invited to participate as a Guest Master Teacher for summer intensive workshops, Festivals and seminars. His specialty is teaching Classical Ballet technique, but he is also an expert in partnering technique, coaching variations, and staging Classical repertoire. Mr. Dovgopolyi is available for Guest Master classes, Summer Intensive Workshops, private coaching and staging of Classical Ballet repertoire.
Irina Depler began her training at the Kyiv Choreographic School in the Former Soviet Union and graduated from the prestigious Moscow Institute of Theater Art with a gold medal – the highest honor one can receive upon graduation.
Irina danced for over 20 years with the National Opera of Ukraine as a Principal Dancer in numerous ballets including Chopiniana, Carmen, Don Juan, Don Quixote, and Cinderella among others.
She has served as Ballet Mistress of many prestigious schools and companies worldwide.
Irina Depler’s credentials include Principal Teacher and former Principal Dancer for the National Theater of Ukraine; Principal Teacher for many professionals Ballet schools in Ukraine, the USA, and around the world. She has also coached for many professional ballet competitions in Kyiv, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Paris, and New York.
Ballet has been my life. I have focused on the entire spectrum of the ballet world, from
dancing and competing to choreography and teaching. The passion that I have for dance
defines my very existence.
• PRINCIPAL DANCER, BALLET OF MONTEREY, MONTERREY, MX — 1995
Six months after joining the Ballet of Monterrey under the direction of Fernando
Bujones, I was made the principal dancer of the company.
• BALLET DANCER, COMPANIA NACIONAL DE DANZA, MEXICO CITY, MX — 1997
Invited to dance “Black Swan” in annual spring season of Swan Lake
• BALLET DANCER, PANAMA BALLET COMPANY, PANAMA CITY, PANAMA — 1998
• BALLET DANCER, YOUTH BALLET OF MONTERREY, MONTERREY, MX — 1998
• SILVER MEDAL WINNER, INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION, PERU — 1999
• PRINCIPAL DANCER, ORLANDO BALLET COMPANY — 2000 – 2013
• MEXICO REPRESENTATIVE, JAZZ WORLD CONGRESS — 2001
• FINALIST, INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION, JACKSON, MS — 2002
• ARTS COMMUNITY AWARD, CASA DE MEXICO/MEXICAN CONSULATE, ORLANDO,
FL — 2004
• GUEST TEACHER, TOKYO, JAPAN — 2006 – 2009
• GUEST BALLET DANCER, INTERNATIONAL GALA, TOKYO, JAPAN — 2009
• ANNUAL GUEST BALLET DANCER, SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — 2006 – 2013
• ANNUAL GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER, SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — 2006 – 2013
• FINALIST, HISPANIC WOMEN AWARD, CENTRAL FLORIDA — 2008
• “ANGEL DE LA INDEPENDENCIA” AWARD WINNER, MEXICAN CONSUL, CENTRAL
FLORIDA — 2009
• OUTSTANDING FEMALE IN ARTS AWARD WINNER, CENTRAL FLORIDA — 2010
EDUCATION
ESCUELA SUPERIOR DE MUSICA Y DANZA, MONTERREY, MX — 1995
Mr. Bykov graduated from the Kyiv State Ballet Academy (Ukraine) in 1988 and joined the Malyi Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Kyiv as a principal dancer. In 1995, he received a Master’s Degree from the Kyiv National Institute of the Arts. Vladimir has performed in leading roles including The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Harlequinade, Romeo and Juliet, and the Rite of Spring. Vladimir toured throughout Europe and came to the U.S. in 1996 where he danced with El Paso Ballet, New Mexico Ballet, Albuquerque and Dallas Metropolitan Ballet. He has been a ballet instructor at the University of Texas and was awarded Outstanding Male Newcomer by the El Paso Association for the Performing Arts in 1988. Before joining Central Florida Ballet as Ballet master, Mr. Bykov danced with Southern Ballet Theatre (now Orlando Ballet) and also served as a teacher and coach for the company. In year 2004 Mr. Bykov was appointed and accepted the Artistic Director’s position with Central Florida Ballet. In 2007, Mr. Bykov accepted the Artistic Director position with the World Ballet Competition.
Olga received her ballet training and graduated from the renowned Perm State Choreographic Academy in 1995. She immediately joined the well-known Grigorovich Ballet Theater under the direction of celebrated choreographer Yuri Grigorovich. Olga performed in many ballets including Romeo and Juliet, Golden Age, Chipolino, Spartacus and Raymonda. Before moving to the United States , Olga danced in many different countries including, Japan, Portugal, Lebanon and Spain. Since joining the Sarasota Ballet in 2002 under the direction of Robert de Warren audiences have also seen her in Paquita, SwanLake and A Midsummer night’s dream. In 2007 – 2008 season with Artistic Director Iain Webb, Olga danced a variety of roles in ballets. Olga started her ballet teaching experience in 2005. In July 2008 Olga was invited to work as a guest teacher to in Miami under direction Vladimir Issaev. She had opportunity to work with Russian Pedagogues from Vaganova Ballet Academy, Saint Petersburg, Russia. Ms. Olga joined the staff of Vladimir Issaev School of Classical Ballet in 2009. She also works as Ballet Mistress of Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida where she dances as a guest in soloist roles. A former ballet dancer herself, she is a real professional, passionate about her job with more than 12 years of teaching experience. Olga teaches IK gymnast classical Russian ballet technique.
2014 – present – Ballet teacher at Kirova Ballet Academy and IK School of Gymnastics
2009 – 2014 – Ballet Mistress at Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida, North Miami Beach, FL
2009 – 2014 – Ballet teacher at School of Classical Ballet by Vladimir Isaev
2008 – 2009 – Ballet teacher at Sarasota Dance Theater
2002 – 2008 – Ballet dancer, soloist at Sarasota Ballet of Florida
1995 – 2002 – Ballet dancer at Grigorovich Ballet
Dusanka received her ballet education under Prof. Gjurgjica Jovanovska in Skopje, Macedonia, graduating with straight A’s from Music & Ballet State School in 1983. The same year she became a full time employee of Macedonian Opera and Ballet. In 1885, as a talented young ballerina she got a scholarship from Yugoslavian Ministry of Culture in Belgrade and continued her studies in the world famous Vaganova Ballet Academy in St.Petersburg, Russia under tutelage of prof. Ekaterina Kokorina. In 1999, at the Academy of Music, Ballet and Fine Arts in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, uder prof. Irina Trofimova (Russia), Prof. Peter Loukanov and Prof. Lili Draguleva (Bulgaria), Dusanka earned her Bachelor of Ballet Pedagogy, specializing in Vaganova methods of teaching classical ballet. In 2000, at the same Academy in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, she took her both Master degrees, the one in Ballet Pedagogy and another in Choreography and Ballet Directing with the highest praise. In February of 2021,
Dusanka defended her PhD dissertation on the theme “The Role of Russian School in Creating Ballet in America in 20th Century. Comparative analysis between American and Russian Ballet schools.“ We are blessed to have her talent and knowledge to guide and direct our dancers at the highest level of training to bring out their greatest potential.
Dusanka’s repertoire includes principal and solo roles in The Nutracker, La Fille mal Gardee, Ellan, Giselle, Swan Lake, Ilo Tempora, Cadet’s Dance, Don Quixote, and Ad Apsurdum, as well as guest performances in Days of Macedonian Culture in China, The Legend of Dubrovnik in Croatia, and The Bakhchisaray Fountain in Germany. As a student of Vaganova Ballet Academy in St.Petersburg, Russia she had the privilege to dance on the stage of the famous Marinsky Theater as a soloist of Arabian Dance in the school production of Nutcracker under tutelage of Prof. Irina Gensler. As ballet mistress for Macedonian Opera and Ballet, she choreographed for operas such as: The West Side Story, Pagliacci, La Forca del Destino, Rigoletto, Cavalleria Rusticana, Aida and Turandot. At the Music & Ballet State School in Macedonia, Dusanka has held positions of Artistic Director, Choreographer, Ballet Pedagogue, Rehearsal Specialist, and Department Head. There she choreographed Dance of the Flowers by Tchaikovsky, Adagio by Albinoni, The Sounds of Love by Kenny G., Childish Tempers by E.Grieg, Tiny Fox by P. Atanasovski, Miniatures from The King Gilgamesh by Vangelis, Synthesis by Enigma, Impressions by A. Ponkieli, Dance by M.Oldfield. Her full-length ballets include For the Unknown, Last Game, and Golden Feather, performed by Macedonian Ballet. Her students are professional dancers in Macedonia, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, New Zealand, and United States.
In 2007, Dusanka moved to USA, where she has continued her career as Ballet Master and choreographer. She has choreographed and staged Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Dr. Doolittle, Coppelia, La Fille mal Gardee, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Raymonda, La Bayadere, Peter Pan , and Les Sylphides. Her choreography was featured in the Florida Lyrica Opera’s production of Amahl and the Night Visitors, and with New Century Opera’s production of Carmen, Iphigenia in Aulis, Macbeth and Rienzi. Dusanka’s teaching experience locally includes teaching positions at SPCollege, Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School, former Artistic Director at Florida Dance Center, former Artistic Director at Florida West Ballet. Dusanka serves as a Guest teacher at USF – School of Theater and Dance; America’s Ballet School in Tampa; Tampa City Ballet, and International Ballet of Florida in Sarasota. Ballet Academy of St. Petersburg is pleased to have Ms. D as their certified Vaganova methods teacher and Artistic Director to lead our students to their greatest potential!