Meet our Teachers
Sergiy Mykhaylov, Artistic Director
1987– 1995: attended the Kyiv State Choreographic College
1995 – 1998: National Ballet of Ukraine (soloist)
During these years, he also worked as a soloist with The Classical Ballet of Paris
1998 – 2009: Orlando Ballet (as a principal dancer under the direction of Vasiliy Petrutiu, Fernando Bujones) During this time, he was a principal guest artist in Boca Raton Ballet, Ocala Ballet, Terada Ballet Arts Academy (Japan), Cincinnati Orchestra, Orlando City Ballet, Russian Ballet Academy, Kansas City Ballet.
2001 – 2009: Sarasota Ballet (as a principal dancer, under the direction of Robert de Warren. and Ian Webb). During this time, he was principal guest artist with Central Florida Ballet, Terada Ballet Arts Academy (Japan), Orlando City Ballet, Kingsport Ballet, Steward Ballet, Russian Ballet of Alafaya. 1996: Silver Medal winner at Serge Lifar International Ballet Competition in Kyiv. 2002: Semi-finalist in USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. Throughout his life, Mr. Mykhaylov has danced leading roles in Classical Ballet Repertoire: Swan Lake, Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Don Quixote, Les Sylphides, Le Bayadere, Le Corsaire, Paquita, Raymonda, La Esmeralda, Harlequinade, Flame of Paris, Romeo and Juliet, La Vivandiere, Le Carnivalade Venise, La Fille Mal Gardee, Cinderella, Spartacus, Ballero, Walpurgis Night, Carmen.
He also had the pleasure of working with:
Sir Frederick Ashton – Façade, The Two Pigeons
George Balanchine – Tarantella, Allegro, Concerto, Barrocco
August Bournonville – Flower, Festival
Michel Folkine – Les Sylphides, Petrushka
Sir Kenneth MacMillan – Elite Syncopations
Robert North – Troy Game
Robert de Warren – Camille, Firebird, Coppelia, Boutique Fantastique, Carmina Burana, Madame Butterfly, Othello, Eva Peron, A Midsummer’s Night Dream
Andre Prokovsky – Anna Karenina
Alexander Schneider – New York, New York
Dominic Walsh – The Trilogy
Vadim Fedotov – Cinderella, Snow White, Little Mermaid, Snow Queen, Romeo and Juliet, Wizard of Oz, Hamlet, Westside Story
Alexei Ratmansky – 98 Steps, The Fairy’s Kiss
Fernando Bujones – Jazz Swing
He has taught and choreographed at Orlando Ballet School, Terada Ballet Academy in Japan, Sarasota Ballet School, Russian Ballet School of America in Orlando, Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida (Miami), Florida Ballet Arts Academy, and more. In 2010, Sergiy Mykhaylov with his wife Darya Fedotova proudly opened the School of Russian Ballet in Sarasota/ Bradenton. In 2022 the school changed its name to International Ballet of Florida.
Darya Fedotova, Artistic Director
1986-1993 Kyiv State Choreographic College
1993-1997 National Ballet of Ukraine
During this time, Ms. Fedotova was a guest soloist with the Classical Ballet of Paris.
1997-2001 Orlando Ballet under the artistic direction of Vasiliy Petrutiu and Fernando Bujones.
2001-2008 Sarasota Ballet as a soloist under the direction of Robert de Warren
and Ian Webb. Guest artist with Cincinnati Orchestra, Orlando
City Ballet, Russian Ballet Academy
2010 Opened the School of Russian Ballet in Sarasota/Bradenton, FL with
her husband Sergiy Mykhaylov
Repertoire – Classical Ballet (Principal and Solo parts)
Swan Lake, Giselle, Dying Swan, Scheherazade, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Don Quixote, La Sylphide, La Bayadare, Le Corsair, Paquita, Raymonda, La Esmeralda, Herlequinade, Flame of Paris, Romeo and Juliete, La Vivandiere de Venise, La Fille Mal Gardee, Cinderella, Spartacus, Ballero, Walpurgis Night
George Balanchine: Allegro, Concerto Barrocco
Sir Frederick Ashton: Façade, The Two Pigeons, and more
Michael Fokine: Les Sylphides, Petrushka
Sir Kenneth Macmillan: Elite Syncopations
Roberts de Warren: Camellia, Firebird, Coppelia, Boutique Fantasque, Carmina Burana, Madame Butterfly, Eva Perone, A Midsummer’s Night Dream
Andre Prokovsky: Anna Karenina
Alexander Shnider: New York, New York
Vadim Fedotov: Cinderella, Snow White, Little Mermaid, Snow Queen, Romeo and Juliet, Wizard of Oz, Hamlet, Westside Story
Fernando Bujones: Jazz Swing
Ms. Fedotova also worked as Ballet Master for Sarasota Ballet of Florida and taught and choreographed at Orlando Ballet School, Sarasota Ballet, Florida West Ballet, Orlando City Ballet, Russian Ballet Academy, Universal Performing Arts Center, and many more. Darya comes from a prominent ballet family. Her maternal grandmother was a Principal Ballet Dancer in Kharkiv (previously the National Ballet of Ukraine). Her parents were Principal Dancers with the National Ballet of Ukraine and are artistic directors at the Russian Ballet of Alafaya.
Currently she and her husband Sergiy Mykhaylov are founders of the School of Russian Ballet. In 2022, the school changed its name to International Ballet of Florida.
Irina Depler, Master Teacher
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 Opera of Ukraine; Principal Teacher for many professionals ballet schools in Ukraine, the USA, and around the world alongside her late husband, choreographer Vadim Fedotov. She has also coached for many professional ballet competitions in Kyiv, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Paris, and New York.
Vadim Fedotov, Choreographer, Master Teacher
Vadim was an internationally recognized Ballet Master, Artistic Director and Choreographer. For over 20 years, Vadim performed as principal dancer with the National Opera and Ballet of the Ukraine, dancing leading roles in prominent performances such as Swan Lake, Giselle, Don Quixote and The Nutcracker. Vadim has taught and choreograph at many prestigious institutions, including The National Theater of Ballet and Opera in Kyiv, Ukraine, National Theatre of Serbia, the Dance Academy of Ukraine, Orlando Ballet FL, Moscow Ballet on Ice and was the General Director of the Chamber of Ballet in Kyiv, Kyiv Ballet on Ice. He has produced numerous films (musicals) in the Ukraine and has been awarded multiple professional and state honors, including Honor of the Supreme Soviet Council of Ukraine 1985, Honored Artist of Ukraine and Laureate International Choreographer for competitions in Moscow and Kyiv. He also choreographed opening Olympics Ceremony in USSR in 1980. Vadim Fedotov’s productions in the USA include Moscow Ballet on Ice in Cypress Gardens, FL Orlando Ballet, Orlando City Ballet, Russian Academy of Ballet, Lone Star Ballet, Elsa Pardo Dance Center, International City School of Ballet, Lakeland Ballet, Montgomery Ballet, Russian Ballet of Alafaya, Orlando Russian Ballet, and International Ballet of Florida.
Sandra Roberts, Studio Manager
Ms. Sandra has been the Studio Administrator since its opening in 2010. After teaching high school in Michigan for 23 years, she received a second Master’s Degree in Psychology and worked as a therapist for 14 years before moving to Florida in 2003 where she worked as an advocate for victims of domestic violence. Sandra’s work in the studio consists of managing the office, working with performance venues, fundraising, and assisting the directors. Having worked with children and adolescents her whole life, she considers her work at the studio a perfect fit and extremely rewarding.
Rebecca Kimsey, Teacher
Rebecca was born in Texas and started taking ballet lessons at two years old. She later moved to Florida and joined the International Ballet of Florida as one of its first students in August 2010 when she was eleven years old.
She has been featured in principal/soloist roles such as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella 2012, the Sea Witch in The Little Mermaid 2014, the Evil Queen in Snow White 2015, the Snow Queen in The Snow Queen 2016, the Sea Witch in The Little Mermaid 2017, the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz 2018, the Stepmother in Cinderella 2019 as well as many others.
MaryElizabeth Mock, Teacher
MaryElizabeth Mock received her training in Ballet, Modern, and Jazz at Florida Ballet Arts in
Sarasota while attending summer intensive programs at Boston Ballet, Washington Ballet, and
Walnut Hill School for the Arts to name a few.
At 16, she left for New England to further her training at the prestigious Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts. During her preprofessional training at the age of 14, MaryElizabeth was selected to perform as a Junior Company member with the Sarasota Ballet under the direction of Eddy Toussaint and at age 16, with the Nutmeg Ballet Company in Connecticut. At 17, she embarked upon her professional performing career with Sarasota Ballet of Florida, Classical Ballet Theatre in the DC Metro Area, and guest performances with Southern Ballet Theatre, Miami City Ballet, and Ballet South. After spotting
har diverse talent, the late Frank Hatchett “Master of Jazz” and former owner of Broadway
Dance Center in NYC, invited MaryElizabeth to serve as his choreography demonstrator for a
series of his Jazz and Contemporary master classes.
As the owner and Artistic/Executive Director of Florida Ballet Arts Academy and the Florida Ballet Arts Ensemble, MaryElizabeth earned great trust and respect from the Sarasota community and greater dance community through her sharp attention to detail and unwavering commitment to excellence, producing the area’s top level dancers while dazzling Sarasota audiences for more than a decade with
seasonal performances at the Sarasota Opera House and Van Wezel.
She has since served as Audition Site Liaison and coast-to-coast Conductor of Auditions for Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts and Carreno Dance Festival, Ballet Master to San Diego Ballet and Unity Dance
Ensemble, a Los Angeles-based contemporary company founded by Emmy Award Winning
Choreographer, Tessandra Chavez.
She has produced intensive master classes and workshops in Sarasota and beyond and is the Founding Director of Imaginique Contemporary Ballet. MaryElizabeth’s long term students have gone on to dance professionally for Royal Danish Ballet in Copenhagen, Boston Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal, Royal Ballet in London, Texas Ballet Theater, Tampa Ballet Theatre, Ballet Theatre of Maryland, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Tokyo Disney, and in the original On Broadway cast of “Mamma Mia”
MaryElizabeth’s highly effective teaching styles and extensive training in the Vaganova
Syllabus, combined with her eclectic repertoire and passion for artistry in dance, continue to
make her highly sought-after as a ballet master, coach, and choreographer, while she
continues to fulfill her love of business and contract negotiations as a Licensed REALTOR and
Luxury Property Specialist in Sarasota.
Elizabeth F. Martinez, Teacher
Elizabeth Florence Martinez was born on December 17, 1981 at the University Of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. At age 3 she moved back to her home country Oslo, Norway. At age 6 is when she developed her great love for ballet beginning her studies at The Royal Academy of Ballet in Norway.
She currently resides in Lehi, Utah with her Husband of 12 years Christian Martinez and their three beautiful children Christian, Levi and Anna Lillia. Her family is by far her greatest accomplishment and her passion.
TRAINING-
–Royal Academy of Ballet- Oslo, Norway
-Royal Norwegian Opera Ballet school- Oslo, Norway
-Pacific Norwest Ballet school- Seattle, Washington
-Ballet West Conservatory (Now Called Ballet West Academy) Salt Lake City, UT
-Berlin State Opera School of Ballet-Berlin, Germany (Foreign Exchange Program)
PROFESSIONAL-
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Company- Aspen, Colorado 1999-2014
Classical/Contemporary Ballet Teacher at Revelle Academy-Sarasota, FL
Classical Ballet Teacher at The Pointe Academy – Highland, UT
DANCE EXPERIENCE-
Elizabeth Martinez began her training at the Royal Academy of Ballet In Oslo, Norway at the age of six. Soon progressing and entering the Royal Norwegian Opera School of Ballet.
In 1992 her family moved back to Salt Lake City, Utah where she enrolled and continued her training at Ballet West Conservatory under the direction of Sharee Lane. There she studied Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Character, Flamenco and pilates. In 1993 she studied at the Pacific Northwest School of Ballet while her family relocated to Seattle, Washington. In 1997 Elizabeth was part of a foreign exchange ballet program with The Berlin State Opera School of Ballet in Berlin, Germany for 6 weeks. Her family again moved back to Utah where at the age of 15 became a trainee for Ballet West and started performing with the company in major productions such as Sleeping Beauty, La Sylphide, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Western Symphony and Four Temperaments.
She began her professional dancing career with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Company in 1999 under the direction of Tom Mossbrucker and Jean Phillipe-Malaty former principal dancers for The Joffrey Ballet. Having the opportunity to travel to many countries and dancing in many leading roles such as Juliet, in Romeo and Juliet; Sugar Plum, Dew Drop and Snow Queen in The Nutcraker; Apollo Who Cares? Company B and many contemporary pieces.
She has been blessed to work with many World Renown Choreographers such as; Elaine Kudo, , Edward Liang, Nicolo Fonte, Jacopo Godani, Moses Pendleton, Trey McIntyre, Dominique Dumais, Jorma Elo, and Jimmy Gamonet.
Brooke Wasserman, Teacher
Born in Marlborough, CT. After receiving a scholarship toward her summer studies she trained at The Sarasota Ballet Academy in Sarasota, FL under the direction of Adrian Ciobanu following her initial education with founding company member Yseult Leger at the age of 12. The school’s faculty included Pavel Fomin, Isabel Dubrocq, Ludmila Lopukhova and Darya Fedotova. While studying, she was invited to perform with The Sarasota Ballet performing in Eva Peron: A Dance Portrait, Coppelia, Don Quixote and as Mary in La Boutique Fantasque. In 2008 she enrolled in the State University of New York at Purchase College where she had the opportunity to perform as a part of Dancer’s Responding to AIDS at the Joyce Theater NYC. She was also a member of the Purchase Dance Corps performing several BFA and MFA contemporary works. In 2010 she moved home to Connecticut to study with famed ballet master Alexei Tchernichov and dance with Hartford City Ballet and CONNetic Dance. Since 2023 she has been a company teacher and Stage Manager for Azara Ballet.
She has taught at The Jacqueline Roach School of Dance, Dance City and The Arts, Revelle Academy, Starz Choice Dance Academy, and International Ballet of Florida among others. Her classes focus on the Vaganova style of classical ballet. In 2016 and 2020 she attended weeks of the Open World Dance Foundation’s Vaganova Teacher’s Training taught by Ekaterina Shchelkanova in collaboration with Professor Mme. Ludmila Safronova of The Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Her soloist roles have included: Jasmine in Aladdin, Zulme and Bathilde in Giselle, Juliet’s Nurse in Romeo & Juliet, Magnolia in Snow Queen, Winter Fairy in Cinderella, The Dragonfly in Snow White, Pas De Trois in Paquita, Flames of Paris Pas De Deux, Street Dancer in Don Quixote, Arabian Snake, Spanish and Mrs. Stalhbaum in The Nutcracker. Her repertoire includes: The Nutcracker, Giselle, Aladdin, Romeo & Juliet, Snow Queen, Snow White, The Little Mermaid, Don Quixote, Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, The Sleeping Beauty, Paquita, George Balanchine’s Serenade, Vainonen’s Flames of Paris Pas De Deux, Carolyn Paine’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Roman Baca’s Homecoming, and Jonathan Riedel’s Verdant Fire.
Faith Woodyard, Teacher
Faith Woodyard is from Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated from George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology. She received her early dance training at Carroll County Dance Center & Ballet Conservatory under the instruction of Megan Logee, Bat Udval, Paul Wegner, and Jessica Huebner. She was awarded Top 12 in the classical category at Youth America Grand Prix, finalist at the Kennedy Center Ballet Master Class Series, and performed with American Ballet Theatre at the Kennedy Center. Faith attended summer programs, many on scholarship such as American Ballet Theatre, Carolina Ballet, Richmond Ballet, and American Repertory Ballet. She was a Trainee with the Richmond Ballet, American Repertory Ballet, and second company member of American Repertory Ballet. In 2021, Faith was a faculty member and guest performer with Carroll County Dance Center and was a guest performer with Misako Ballet.
Faith joined Florida Dance Theatre as a company artist for the 2022-23 performance season.
Faith is also passionate about health and fitness and is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, NASM Certified Nutrition Coach, and Barre Fitness Instructor. Alongside Faith’s professional dance career she started her own private coaching business, Performance Edge FW, where she offered one on one personalized training sessions, custom workout programs, nutrition coaching, and dance coaching. Faith is living in Sarasota, Florida
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