Faculty
Marina Osipova,
Ph.D.
Founder & Artistic Director
Marina Osipova, Ph.D., is a renowned Russian ballet instructor, choreographer, and artistic director with a distinguished career in the world of classical ballet. She is recognized as one of the world’s leading specialists and methodologists in the Vaganova method, a testament to her profound expertise and dedication to the art of ballet.
Marina Osipova's journey in ballet began in 1984 when she enrolled at the prestigious Vaganova Ballet Academy, where she studied in the Performing Faculty with a specialty in Ballet Dancing. She graduated in 1992, marking the start of her professional journey in classical ballet. After her graduation, Marina joined the Russian Ballet Company, where she performed from 1992 to 1997. She then joined the Opera and Ballet Theater. M.P. Mussorgsky, where she danced until 2005, further honing her skills and artistry. In 2000, Marina was accepted into the pedagogical faculty of the Vaganova Ballet Academy, specializing in the Methodology of Teaching Classical Dance. She graduated in 2005 with the highest scores in the Vaganova Method of Education. Her commitment to academic excellence continued as she pursued postgraduate education from 2005 to 2010, specializing in the Theory and Methodology of Professional Education. She completed her thesis, "Professional Preparation of Future Ballet Dancers for the Execution of Jumping Movements," and earned the degree of Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences from the State Pedagogical University of Russia Al Herzen in 2011.
Marina Osipova has over 23 years of teaching experience, including her roles at the Vaganova Ballet Academy and the Boris Eifman Dance Academy, where she served as Deputy Artistic Director and Head of the Department of Classical Dance. Her contributions to ballet education are vast, including authoring methodical manuals and numerous scientific articles on classical dance. Her notable book, "Professional Training of Future Ballet Dancers for Performing Jumping Movements," is held in the Library of Congress of the United States.
Marina Osipova is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Osipova Ballet Academy (OBA). Under her leadership, OBA has become a beacon of excellence in ballet education. Since its founding, her students have achieved remarkable success, winning prestigious awards at esteemed competitions such as the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). Her students have been honored with accolades including the coveted Youth Grand Prix and Top 12 Junior Women in the World at the NYC International Finals.
As a member of the International Dance Council (UNESCO), Marina Osipova has played a critical role in developing dance instruction worldwide. She has served as a jury member for international ballet competitions and collaborated on the organization and methodological support of educational and creative processes. Her expertise extends to the design, development, and writing of educational programs and study plans, influencing ballet education globally.
Marina Osipova's illustrious career, marked by her dedication to the Vaganova method and her significant contributions to ballet education, continues to inspire and shape the future of classical ballet dancers around the world.
Vasily Medvedev
World-Renowned Choreographer, Ballet Master & Honored Artist of Estonia, Co-Founder & Artistic Direcor Petipa Ballet Association, Former Associate Professir At The Vaganova Academy Of Russian Ballet, Official Ballet Master Anton Dolin Foundation, Founder International Ballet Festival “Dance Open“
Vasily Medvedev received his ballet training at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet under legendary teachers such as Natalia Dudinskaya, Konstantin Sergeyev, and Gennady Seliutsky. He later earned a master's degree in choreography from the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory under Nikita Dolgushin. His career is documented in the biographical novel The Choreographer by Yana Temiz, housed in major libraries worldwide, including the U.S. Library of Congress in Washington. At the beginning of his career, Vasily performed smaller solo roles at the Mikhailovsky Theatre, and later became a principal dancer and choreographer at the Vanemuine Ballet of Estonia, where he also staged his original works. He holds the title of Honored Artist of Estonia.
Since 1989, Vasily has performed and choreographed internationally, participating in renowned events such as the Gala des toiles (Montreal), World Ballet Festival (Donetsk), and the World Stars Galas (Argentina, Baltic countries). As an associate professor at the Vaganova Academy, he has influenced future generations of ballet choreographers.
His choreography encompasses more than 70 productions, including works for the Bolshoi Ballet, Staatsballett Berlin, Compañía Nacional de Danza in Mexico, Slovak National Ballet, Croatian National Ballet, National Opera Bucharest, Czech National Ballet, Ural Opera Ballet, Azerbaijan's State Academic Opera and Ballet, National Ballet of Panama, Lithuanian National Ballet, Grand Theatre Lódz, Croatian National Theatre in Split, Brno National Theatre, Mikhailovsky Theatre, State Ballet in Samara, Tchaikovsky Opera and Ballet Theatre in Perm, National Theatre Sarajevo, and others.
His productions The Nutcracker (Staatsballett Berlin) and La Emeralda (Bolshoi Ballet) were broadcast internationally in more than 400 cinemas worldwide, as well as on Mezzo.
Among his acclaimed works are Onegin, La Emeralda, The Nutcracker, Pilate's Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Le Corsaire, Coppélia, Lady of the Camellias, Don Quixote, The Sleeping Beauty, Satanella, and La Bayadere.
Vasily has received numerous accolades, including the Zirvya Award for Seven Beauties (Azerbaijan), Audience Choice Diva Award for The Nutcracker and Le Corsaire (Czechia), the Pushkin Legacy Award (U.S.), the Crystal Lyra Award for Pilate's Dream (Bulgaria), and the UMAl Award for Romance of the Rosebud and the Butterfly (Kazakhstan). He has been nominated for Russia's highest theatre award, the Golden Mask, as well as for the Thalia Award, the highest theatrical honor in Czechia. He was also recognized for his contribution to the legacy of Marius Petipa by the Association of the Friends of the National Ballet of Panama.
Vasily co-founded the renowned International Ballet Festival Dance Open (St.
Petersburg) and the Dance Open Award. He also founded the Eurasian Dance Festival (Astana) and served as an advisor to the Kremlin Gala (Moscow). In 2016, he co-founded the International Petipa Heritage Fund, later establishing the Petipa Heritage Foundation in California in 2022. In 2023, he organized the Petipa Awards Gala in San Francisco, celebrating excellence in ballet. In 2025, he co-founded the Petipa Ballet Association in Czechia.
Stanislav Feco
International Ballet Master & Choreographer, President & Co-Founder Petipa Ballet Association, Official Ballet Master Anton Dolin Foundation, Former Principal Dancer Czech National Ballet & Graduate Vaganova Academy Of Russian Ballet
Stanislav Feсo graduated from the Prague Ballet Conservatory as a dancer and later from the renowned Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in St. Petersburg.
He has been a principal dancer with the Czech National Ballet, St. Petersburg Russian Ballet, and the National Theatre in Brno, as well as a guest principal with renowned companies worldwide, including Teatro Colón, Mikhailovsky Theatre, National Theatre in Sarajevo, State Opera and Ballet Theatre in Baku, and the State Opera Prague.
His distinguished career features leading roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, Raymonda, The Nutcracker, Le Corsaire, La Bayadère, The Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, La Sylphide, Onegin, Romeo and Juliet, Les Sylphides, and Cinderella. He has performed works by celebrated choreographers including Roland Petit, George Balanchine, Jirí Kylián, Alvin Ailey, Hans van Manen, Yuri Grigorovich, and Vasily Medvedev.
Feco has appeared at major international ballet galas alongside world stars such as Svetlana Zakharova, Uliana Lopatkina, Yuan Yuan Tan, Sarah Lamb, Evelyn Hart, Carlos Acosta, Roberto Bolle, and Nikolay Tsiskaridze. He has partnered renowned ballerinas, including Mariinsky stars Galina Mezentseva, Yulia Makhalina, Lyubov Kunakova, Larissa Lezhnina, Natalia Sologub, Zhanna Ayupova, and Margarita Kullik, English National Ballet prima ballerinas Elena Glurdjidze and Daria Klimentová, and Czech National Ballet stars Jana Kurová and Hana Viácilová, among many others.
Alongside legendary ballerina Yulia Makhalina performed on stage of Mariinsky Theatre duet from ballet Onegin in choreography of Vasily Medvedev.
As a choreographer, Feco has staged original ballets such as Giselle, Palladio, Last Lullaby, Irresistable, La Bayadère, Emeralda, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, and Coppélia for prestigious companies including the National Ballet of Panama, Compañía Nacional de Danza in Mexico City, Slovak National Ballet, Lithuanian National Ballet, National Opera Bucharest, Ural Ballet, Theatre Vanemuine Tartu, Croatian National Theatre Split, and the Tchaikovsky Opera and Ballet Theatre in Perm. His acclaimed ballet Palladio has been performed worldwide. He has collaborated extensively with Vasily Medvedev, staging over 50 productions internationally.
As a guest teacher, Feco has worked with Staatsballett Berlin, Compañía Nacional de Danza in Mexico, Lithuanian National Ballet, National Theatre Brno. National Ballet of Panama, Azarbaijan's State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, National Theatre Sarajevo, Macedonian Opera and Ballet Theatre, State Ballet Stara Zagora, and other leading institutions. From 2007 to 2013, he served as leading ballet master at the Tchaikovsky Opera and Ballet Theatre in Perm and the Ural Ballet in Ekaterinburg. From 2014 to 2016, he was ballet master of the Slovak National Ballet.
Feco is also a highly respected pedagogue whose students have achieved significant success. His pupils have won numerous awards at major international and national ballet competitions, including YAGP, Tanzolymp Berlin, the International Ballet Competition in Prague, the International Ballet Competition in Brno, the International Ballet Competition in Kazan, and the Ballet Competition in Panama. He was also a head of the judges for several regional ballet and dance competitions in Yekaterinburg and other cities in Ural region. In 2022, Feco co-founded and became director of the Petipa Heritage Foundation in California. In 2023, he co-organized the Petipa Awards Gala in San Francisco, honoring ballet luminaries and featuring world-class performers. In 2025, he co-founded the Petipa Ballet Association in the Czech Republic. His contributions to ballet as a performer, choreographer, teacher, and mentor have left a lasting impact on the international dance community.
Anton Pankevich
Boys/Men Program Director - Ballet Master, International Guest Artist, Stanford University Lecturer
Anton Pankevich is an internationally acclaimed ballet master, principal dancer, and educator whose career spans over two decades on the world’s most prestigious stages. A graduate of the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg and the School of American Ballet in New York, Mr. Pankevich brings a rare blend of Russian classical tradition and American contemporary versatility to his teaching.
He began his professional career at the New York City Ballet before going on to perform as Coryphée with the Dutch National Ballet, First Artist with The Royal Ballet in London, and Soloist with Ballet San Jose. His distinguished performance career includes Principal roles with Menlowe Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet along with numerous international companies. His classical repertoire includes leading roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadère, Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, and Coppélia, among others.
Mr. Pankevich has also performed featured roles in works by George Balanchine, Frederick Ashton, William Forsythe, Twyla Tharp, Jerome Robbins, John Cranko, Hans van Manen, and Ulysses Dove. His repertory includes Symphony in C, Rubies, Who Cares?, In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, Fancy Free, and In the Upper Room.
A respected coach and instructor, Mr. Pankevich has served on faculty at South Bay Dance Center for over a decade and currently lectures at Stanford University’s Department of Theater and Performance Studies. He has been a guest teacher and ballet master for companies including San Francisco Ballet, English National Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, and Pacific Northwest Ballet, as well as schools such as the English National Ballet School and National Ballet School in Amsterdam.
His recent choreographic work includes The Nutcracker for South Bay Dance Center and One Touch of Venus in collaboration with the Stanford Music Department.
Mr. Pankevich’s dedication to classical ballet education and mentorship continues to inspire the next generation of artists with authenticity, precision, and passion.
Irina Dovidovskaya
Pre-Ballet Program Director - Classical, Contemporary & Character Dance Instructor, Choreographer, Pre-Ballet Instructor
Born in Minsk, Republic of Belarus. Irina began her dancing career at the age of 3, dancing in a group on the main stages of the country. At the age of 10, Irina entered the Belarusian State Choreographic Gymnasium-College in the class of Klara Nikolaevna Malysheva. Over the course of 9 years of study, Irina showed excellent results and, while still studying, toured the cities of Germany and England with other students . She also completed an internship at the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of the Republic of Belarus
After completing her studies, Irina was hired by the Belarusian State Academic Musical Theater as a Stage Master.
In 2013, Irina was accepted into the troupe of the Moscow Classical Ballet Theater of Natalia Kasatkina and Vladimir Vasilyov to the position of Stage Master.
Throughout her creative career, Irina danced the main roles in the ballets Giselle (Myrtha), The Nutcracker (Myshilda), The Rite of Spring (Besovataya), Swan Lake (Great Swans, Spanish Dance), Don Quixote (Gypsy Dance, Mercedes, Bolero) and others.
Performances with her participation took place on the best stages of the world: the Historical Stage of the Bolshoi Theater of Russia, the Alexandria Theater, the New Stage of the Bolshoi Theater, as well as in the cities of Japan, America, Europe, Morocco, Taiwan, Thailand, China and many others. Irina also conducted master classes for students of ballet schools during tours
In 2017, she graduated from the State Institute of Theater Arts GITIS, choreographer department (ballet pedagogy) on a course with Prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theater of Russia Maria Evgenievna Allash.
In 2022, Irina joined the World Ballet series as a ballet dancer, and also conducted ballet classes for artists.
In 2023, she completed training in Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT) and conducted master classes for students of ballet schools New Tampa Dance Theater and Alessi Dance Factory (Tampa, Florida).
Tatiana Ulitina
Classical & Character Dance Instructor
Tatiana Ulitina was born in Leningrad, Russia. She received her training at the prestigious Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia graduating from the class of the legendary professor Natalia Dudinskaya who was a student of Agrippina Vaganova herself. Soon after graduating, Ms. Tatiana danced with The Leningrad Maly Theatre Ballet, presently known as the Mikhailovsky Ballet Theatre, performing ballet lead roles and touring all over the world. In 2003, Ms. Tatiana graduated from the Pedagogical Department of the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet (class of professor Liudmila Safronova) as a teacher of Classical Dance, Character Dance, and Historical Dance. From 2002-2012, Ms. Ulitina was a teacher at the Classical Dance Department at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet. During the years of 2016-2017, Ms. Ulitina taught at the Boris Eifman Dance Academy as a teacher of Classical Dance. Her students went on to dance at some of the world's most renowned stages & theaters such as the Mariinsky Theatre, Bolshoi Ballet, Eifman Ballet, National Opera of Budapest & The Joffrey Ballet; to name a few. Ms. Ulitina's students include - Olga Smirnova (Prima Ballerina of Dutch National Ballet, Former Prima Ballerina of the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, Russia), Maria llyushkina (First Soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre), Anastasia Lukina (Soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre), Vlada Borodulina (Soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre), Nika Tskhvitaria (Soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre), Alisa Rusina (Soloist of Character Dance at the Mariinsky Theatre) & many more. Ms. Tatiana’s students won top prizes at international and national competitions, including YAGP and California Dance Classics. Ms. Tatiana is well respected & loved by all her students. She has changed & touched the lives of many young dancers on their ways to becoming professional dancers.
Ekaterina (Katya) Ulitina
Classical, Contemporary & Character Dance Instructor, Choreographer, Pre-Ballet Instructor
Ekaterina Ulitina, born in Saint Petersburg into a family of dancers from the Mikhailovsky Theatre, is a distinguished ballet dancer and educator. She graduated from the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in 2011, where she trained under esteemed professors in classical, character, and contemporary dance. She later completed a master’s degree in pedagogical studies at the academy in 2023.
Her performance career began at the National Theatre Belgrade in Serbia, where she performed a full classical repertoire before becoming a leading soloist at the St. Petersburg Tchaikovsky Ballet Theatre. Notable roles include Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Mari in Nutcracker, and soloist roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, and Don Quixote.
As a teacher, she has been instructing students since 2012, focusing on classical, contemporary, and character dance. She has prepared students for competitions and specialized in ballet conditioning and talent development. Additionally, she has served as a judge in international ballet competitions and authored a scholarly work on A.Y. Vaganova’s scientific methodology of classical dance.
Solangy (Solya) Oorzhak
Classical, Contemporary & Character Dance Instructor, Choreographer, Pre-Ballet Instructor
Born in the culturally rich Republic of Tuva, nestled on the border of Mongolia, Solangy Oorzhak began her dance journey at the age of seven at the local Children’s Choreographic School under the mentorship of esteemed teacher Raisa Sedipovna Stal-Ool. From her earliest classes, Solangy stood out for her innate musicality, expressive quality, and refined physicality. Recognizing her exceptional talent and artistic potential, her teachers encouraged her to pursue professional ballet studies beyond her hometown.
At just 11 years old, Solangy was selected through a highly competitive audition process to join the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, also known as the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. There, she underwent training for eight intensive years (2008–2016) of elite classical training in ballet technique, character dance, duet work, and repertoire under the guidance of some of Russia’s most distinguished pedagogues. She completed her studies in the graduating class of Elena Nikolaevna Vatulya, whose mentorship helped refine her technique and develop her distinct stage presence.
During her time at the Academy, Solangy gained invaluable professional experience performing in full-length productions and collaborative works. She had the rare opportunity to perform with La Scala Ballet in A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the historic stage of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia and was frequently cast in academic performances and gala showcases, gaining both depth and versatility as a young artist.
After graduation, Solangy performed as a Soloist with several major companies, including the Krasnoyarsk State Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Tuva National Theatre of Music and Dance “Sayany.” She danced in classical repertoire productions throughout Russia, performing in ballets such as: Swan Lake, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, La Bayadère, Le Corsaire, La Fille Mal Gardée, Romeo and Juliet.
With “Sayany,” she also explored a unique range of stylized neoclassical and folkloric works, such as The Sounding Tenderness, The Hunters and the Deer, and The Flower, in addition to performing solo classical variations from Paquita, Flames of Paris, and the celebrated Gamzatti Variation from La Bayadère.
In addition to her dance career, Solangy completed four years of academic study at the Tomsk Medical University, specializing in human anatomy and physiology an experience that greatly enriches her understanding of kinesiology and injury prevention, both as an artist and educator.
Today, Solangy brings to Osipova Ballet Academy not only the excellence of traditional Russian ballet pedagogy, but also a rare emotional intelligence and care for her students’ individual needs. Known for her musicality, clean classical line, and attention to stylistic detail, she approaches each class with purpose, warmth, and a commitment to nurturing each dancer’s potential, both on and off stage.
Yuliya (Julia) Kichigina
Classical, Contemporary & Character Dance Instructor, Choreographer, Pre-Ballet Instructor
Born in Dnipro, Ukraine, Yuliya began her ballet training at the Dnipro State Ballet School and, at the age of thirteen, was accepted into the Belarusian State Choreographic College in the class of N.S. Davydenko. She continued her studies in Kiev, graduating in 2006 from the Kiev State Choreographic College under the guidance of V.A. Denisenko, before joining the Lviv Opera and Ballet Theater of Ukraine. There, she quickly rose to perform solo and leading roles in the classical repertoire, including Carmen in Carmen, Lileya in Lileya, the Street Dancer in Don Quixote, as well as featured roles in Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and The Sleeping Beauty.
In 2013, Yuliya relocated to Moscow to join the Moscow Ballet Theater, expanding her repertoire into contemporary works. Beginning in 2015, she established herself on the international stage, performing with renowned companies across more than a dozen countries spanning Europe, Asia, Oceania, and South America. In 2022, she joined the World Ballet Company, touring North America in Swan Lake. Her experience has placed her on many of the world’s prominent stages, earning recognition for her versatility and commanding presence. Following her World Ballet tour, Yuliya was invited to the faculty of We Dance Academies in Florida by Director A.N. Yachmennikov.
Yuliya holds a Master’s Degree in Ballet Pedagogy from the Kiev University. With an extensive performance career and global touring experience, she now dedicates her artistry and knowledge to teaching, bringing a standard of excellence shaped by years of work with leading theaters and companies worldwide.
Sasha Smirnova
Classical, Contemporary, Choreographer, Stretching & Conditioning, Pre-Ballet Instructor
Sasha Smirnova is a highly accomplished ballet instructor with an extensive background in both professional performance and academic research. Born and raised in Minsk, Belarus, she began her training at the age of six and quickly demonstrated exceptional talent. By thirteen, she was already touring across Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia with a professional ensemble, gaining invaluable stage experience and developing the artistry that would define her career. For over eleven years, she performed with a distinguished company in Minsk, mastering a wide range of repertoire before devoting her career to teaching.
Sasha’s academic achievements mirror her artistic success.
In 2012, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from the Belarusian State Pedagogical University, followed by a Master’s Degree from a leading Sport University in Moscow with a concentration in movement science and ballet pedagogy. She went on to pursue her Ph.D at the same institution, expanding her expertise in methodology and dancer training before relocating to the United States. Since 2016, she has been based in San Jose, California, where she continues to share her expertise with students throughout the Bay Area.
With over 15 years of teaching experience, Sasha is recognized for her rigorous and results-driven approach, seamlessly blending precision, discipline, and artistry. Her pre-ballet classes are crafted not only to build exceptional technical foundations, but also to instill confidence, musicality, and a genuine love for dance. She brings to every class the perspective of an international artist and scholar, elevating her students through both her deep knowledge of the Vaganova method and her uniquely inspiring presence.
Today, Sasha is widely respected for her ability to shape young dancers into confident, expressive, and technically strong performers. Her commitment to excellence, combined with her international career and academic credentials, make her an exceptional educator and a powerful influence in the training of the next generation of artists.
Yuki Kishida
Award Winning Dancer, Senior Pre-Professional Division Student & Pre-Ballet Instructor
Yuki Kishida has been training at Osipova Ballet Academy since its founding, studying for the past five years under the direct mentorship of Founder & Artistic Director Marina Osipova, Ph.D. Over this time, she has grown into a remarkable young artist, earning top awards and placements at prestigious competitions such as 1st, 2nd, & 3rd places at Youth America Grand Prix and California Dance Classics. Recognized both as an award winning soloist and as a member of top performing ensembles, Yuki has distinguished herself through artistry, discipline, and leadership.
Alongside her performance achievements, Yuki has developed into an exceptional teacher with a deep passion for guiding the next generation of dancers. Entrusted with teaching her first ballet class at just 15 years old, an unusually early honor, she has since been a teacher for Pre-Ballet classes, taught at Winter and Summer Camps, and gained extensive experience working with young children. She also assisted Marina Osipova during rehearsals for Thumbelina, supporting younger students and helping them grow in confidence and artistry.
Known for her warmth, clarity, and patience, Yuki loves sharing her own joy for dance with children, inspiring them to discover their potential while instilling discipline and creativity.
A valued member of OBA since the age of 13, Yuki has also volunteered at community events and consistently shown initiative, dedication, and generosity. Both a leader and a role model, she is celebrated not only as a award-winning dancer but also as a gifted teacher whose passion, artistry, and commitment make her an inspiration within the OBA family.
Marianna Lobanova
Classical & Character Dance Instructor
Guest Teacher/Choreographer
Marianna has over 23 years of experience teaching classical dance. She received her education at the Saratov Choreographic School. In 1980, she graduated from the Pedagogical Department of the Vaganova Russian Ballet Academy. In 2000 The Russian Federation Ministry of Culture awarded Marianna Lobanova work the "For Achievements in the Sphere of Culture" Order.
For more than 17 years Marianna danced at the Lviv Opera and Ballet Theatre (Ukraine). Her repertoire included solo parts in the ballets "Swan Lake", "Giselle", "Sleeping Beauty", "Paquita", "Don Quixote". For over than 10 years, Marianna worked at Kirov Academy of Ballet (Washington DC, USA), where she taught classical dance to children aged 11 to 18. She prepared a large number of classical variations for international ballet competitions. Her students danced classical ballet variations at the largest ballet companies on the West Coast.
From 2018 to 2021, Marianna worked at City Ballet School San Francisco as a classical dance teacher. She was awarded YAGP Outstanding Teacher Award in 2019.
During the duration of her long teaching career, Marianna has produced a large number of successful ballerinas (Maria Beck, Joy Womack, Alexa Torres) who are leading soloists in international ballet companies: Marinsky Theatre (St. Petersburg, Russia), Mikhailovsky Theatre (St. Petersburg, Russia), Bolshoi Theatre (Moscow, Russia), Boris Eifman Theatre (St. Petersburg, Russia), Royal Ballet (London, United Kingdom), Washington Ballet (Washington D.C., USA)
Riccardo Riccardi
Classical & Character Dance Instructor
Guest Teacher/Choreographer
Riccardo began his studies in the Neapolitan school of Gino Lemaire, the former soloist of the San Carlo Theater and trained under Zarko Prebil, a student of N. Tarasov. He danced with the company of the San Carlo Opera House in Naples, Italy from 1985 to 2022 working with Carla Fracci, Vladimir Vasilyev, Ekaterina Maksimova, Rudolf Nureyev, Roland Petit, etc. He studied ballet with renowed dancers such as Zarko Prebil, Sulamith Messerer, Michail Messerer, Anatoliy Nisnievitch, Michail Lavrovsky, Alla Sisova.
In 1995 he graduated as maitre de ballet at the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. Riccardo started organizing instructional courses for ballet teachers in the Vaganova Method across Italy soon after. In 2007, Mr. Riccardi translated and published the book “The Russian School of Classical Dance“ of V.S.Kostrovitskaya, A.A. Pisarev (Gremese 2007).
Starting in 2011, in collaboration with the international trade and show dance event “Danzainfiera“ (Italy) Riccardo organizes Ballet Master Classes with the Vaganova Ballet Academy. In 2015 he collaborated with the Vaganova Ballet Academy on publication of the book Maestro Enrico Cecchetti.
In 2017, 2018 and 2019 Riccardo was invited to the prestigious Forum of Cultures organized by the Ministry of Russian Culture. 2018 marked the year when he published the book “I temps lies del metodo Vaganova“ (Joker 2018) with reface by Nikolai Tsiskaridze and Marina Vasilyeva. In 2018 and 2019 he participated in the Update Courses of the Vaganova Academy for courses lower, intermediate and higher. From 2019 Mr. Riccardo started teaching at the Kirov Ballet Academy in Washington as a guest master teacher.
Anastasia Vasilieva, Ph.D.
Classical & Character Dance Instructor
Guest Teacher/Choreographer
IIn 1991, Anastasia Vasilieva graduated with honors from the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in St. Petersburg. Russia from the class of the famous Natalia Dudinskaya, who was a student of Agrippina Vaganova herself. In 2005, Anastasia graduated with honors from the pedagogical department of Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet as a teacher of classical, historical. and character dance. In 2009, she finished her post-graduate stud at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet and later in 2015 she received her Candidate of Sciences (Ph.D). For more than 20 years, Anastasia Vasilieva served as a ballet dancer at the prestigious Mariinsky Theatre in St.
Petersburg, Russia. She danced various roles from the Theatre's repertoire in both the corps de ballet & as a soloist. She toured with the theatre and was part of its many premieres all over the world. In 2012, Anastasia was awarded the prestigious diploma of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, a highly regarded honor. Anastasia teaches masterclasses in the classical, character, and historical dance disciplines in theaters and dance schools all over the world including Finland, Great Britain, Italy, France, South Korea, and United States of America. As of now, Ms. Anastasia works as an Associate Professor at the Department of Methodology of Character, Historical Dance and Acting at the prestigious Vaganova Academy of Classical Ballet in St.
Petersburg, Russia. Anastasia Vasilieva is the author of numerous works and papers as well as the author of various books specializing in the methodology of ballet. Since the opening of Osipova Ballet Academy in 2021, Ms. Anastasia Vasilieva has been a leading advisory and consultant for Osipova Ballet Academy.
Konstantin Keikhel
Classical & Contemporary Dance Instructor/Choreographer
Guest Choreographer
• Prize-winner at the Solo Dance Choreographers Competition (Chelyabinsk, 2007, 1st prize)
• Prize-winner at the Inspiration of the 21st Century Ballet Masters Competition (Kaliningrad, 2010, 1st prize)
• Prize-winner at Alternative Competition (St Petersburg, 2010, 2nd prize in the performers category; 2011, 3rd prize in choreographers category)
• Prize-winner at the 21st Century Ballet Choreographers Competition (Krasnoyarsk, 2012, 1st prize)
• Prize-winner at the International Festival of Modern Choreography in Vitebsk (Belarus, 2012, 2nd prize and the special Yevgeny Panfilov prize)
• Prize-winner at the Yekaterina Maximova Open Russian Ballet Competition Arabesque (Perm, 2016, 1st prize in the contemporary choreography competition, prizes of jury of the press and Union of Theatre Workers of the Russia)
In 2010, Keikhel graduated from the Chelyabinsk State Pedagogical University (as pedagogue and choreographer). He acquired his Master’s Degree in The Art of Choreography at the Vaganova Ballet Academy. He worked at the Provincial Dances Theatre under Tatiana Baganova. In 2012, he established the modern dance company Aqueduct in St Petersburg. Keikhel has staged various productions for the students of the Vaganova Ballet Academy. He teaches modern dance at the Boris Eifman Dance Academy. He has taken part in choreography workshops Dance Platform of the Yekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theatre, where he staged the productions of The Path of Charon set to the music by George Frideric Handel (2012), Alter Ego to the music by Ludwig van Beethoven and The Dawn to the music by Antonio Vivaldi (2013). In 2014, Keikhel staged the ballet Vacancy to the music by Franz Schubert and Joseph Haydn at the Yekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theatre. At the Leonid Yakobson Ballet Theatre, he has staged such one-act ballets as Collision (2013) to the music by Joby Talbot and Rehearsal (2015) to the music by Joseph Haydn and Konstantin Chistyakov. In 2015, he staged the miniature Genesis to the music by Kimmo Pohjonen and the one-act ballet Turbulent Skies to the music by Franz Schubert and Konstantin Chistyakov for the Yevgeny Panfilov Ballet Theater in Perm. At the New Ballet Moscow Theatre, Keikhel presented the production of Winter Rose to the music by Antonio Vivaldi in 2015 and Carried away to the music by Giovanni Sollima and Joseph Haydn recomposed by Konstantin Chistyakov. At the Bolshoi Theater, as a part of the Youth Program Faces, he presented the productions Room of Expectations (2016) and Island (2017). At the Mariinsky Theatre, he staged the one-act ballet The Seasons to the music by Alexander Glazunov in 2018.
Daniel Rubin
Classical & Contemporary Dance Instructor/Choreographer
Guest Teacher/Choreographer
Daniel was born and raised in Cupertino, California, USA. After training locally, Daniel studied at the Kirov Academy of Ballet of Washington, DC, and later, under the wing of Tamara Statkoun. Daniel continued his studies of classical ballet at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography (Bolshoi Ballet Academy).
Upon graduation in 2015, Daniel joined the Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg. After having performed the entire corps de ballet repertoire at the theatre, he was promoted to soloist in 2018, and to leading soloist in 2020. In 2022, Daniel joined Boston Ballet. He was promoted to second soloist the following year.
At Eifman Ballet, Daniel Rubin originated the following roles: Konstantin Treplev in The Seagull. A Ballet Story, Louis XIV, Old Molière, and the Commander in Molière Passion, or The Mask of Don Juan, and the Angel in The Pygmalion Effect. Among his other roles in Boris Eifman’s repertoire: George Balanchine in Musagète, Alexei Karamazov in Beyond Sin, the Heir in Russian Hamlet, Tchaikovsky, Prince, Lensky, and Joker in Tchaikovsky. Pro et Contra, Molière in Molière Passion, or The Mask of Don Juan, Lensky in Onegin, The Young Man in Requiem, Claude Debussy in Roden, Her Eternal Idol.
In 2022, Daniel won the “Golden Spotlight” in the category “Best Male Role in a Ballet Performance” for his role in The Seagull. A Ballet Story. He was awarded the St. Petersburg State Prize in the realm of Culture and Fine Art for 2021, for the creation of the ballet The Seagull. A Ballet Story. In 2021, he was also nominated for the “Golden Spotlight” in the category “Best Male Role in a Ballet Performance” for his roles in Molière Passion, or The Mask of Don Juan.
His Boston Ballet repertoire includes featured roles in Nanine Linning's La Mer, Jiří Kylián's Bella Figura, Ken Ossola's The Space Between, Rudolf Nureyev's Don Quixote (Espada, Don Quixote), Mikko Nissinen's The Nutcracker (Arabian, Drosselmeyer) and Raymonda (Lead Czardas), Marius Petipa's The Sleeping Beauty (Carabosse, Lilac Fairy Cavalier), and Helen Pickett's 月夜 Tsukiyo.
As a dancer with Boston Ballet and the Eifman Ballet, Daniel has performed in some of the most renowned theatres in the world, including New York City Center, Lincoln Center (NYC), Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Theater am Potsdamer Platz (Berlin), Dubai Opera, Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Palais des congrès (Paris), the Bolshoi Theatre (Moscow), Place des Arts (Montreal), Royal Opera House (Muscat), Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (Los Angeles), Segerstrom Center for the Arts (Costa Mesa), London Coliseum, Meridian Hall (Toronto), National Centre for the Performing Arts (Beijing), Gran Teatre del Liceu (Barcelona), Shanghai Oriental Art Center, among many others.
Daniel has taken part in the ballet-films Tchaikovsky. Pro et Contra, The Pygmalion Effect, and Molière Passion, or The Mask of Don Juan.
He was a guest artist at the 30th Anniversary Gala of the prestigious Benois de la Danse competition in 2022.
In addition, Daniel has choreographed over 25 original pieces for competitions, galas, and film. His works have earned their dancers prestigious awards, such as Top 12 at the NYC Finals, Youth Grand Prix, and 1st and 2nd places in small and large ensembles (Youth America Grand Prix), as well as gold, silver, and bronze awards in various categories (California Dance Classics). He has served as a judge and masterclass teacher at YAGP.
Daniel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts from Saint Mary's College of California (2023; summa cum laude). He is currently pursuing a Master's in Global Studies and International Relations with a Concentration in Diplomacy at Northeastern University. Daniel is a graduate of the Crossover Into Business program for professional athletes at Harvard Business School (2023).
Natalia Bashkatova
Classical Dance Instructor
Guest Teacher
Natalia Bashkatova trained at Bolshoi Ballet Academy, joined the Bolshoi Ballet after graduating and became a Principal dancer, performing many title classical roles. She was named Best Ballerina during the 1992 Spoleto Internatical Arts Festival in Italy. After moving to the United States, Ms. Bashkatova became a Principal Ballerina at the Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas, and enjoyed a long and fruitful career there. Ms. Bashkatova received her teaching degree from the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, and brings her classical and crossover experience into teaching her classes. Ms. Natalia is a longtime judge and master teacher and currently holds a position as Assistant Artistic Director with the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP).
Giana Jigarhan
Classical & Character Dance Instructor
Guest Teacher
Giana Jigarhan is a highly accomplished Ballet Instructor and Choreographer, renowned for her exceptional talent and extensive experience in the world of ballet. Giana is a graduate of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy and received her Masters Degree in Ballet Instruction, Choreography and Stage Production from the prestigious Moscow University of Theatre Arts having studied with Professor Marina Semyonova. She also trained for two years as a Ballet Instructor and Choreographer at the Bolshoi Theater and is a member of the Russian Professional Art Association.
Ms. Jigarhan was a soloist ballet dancer for fourteen years with the Novosibirsk Ballet Theater (Siberian Bolshoi). Her repertoire included the most famous classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Cinderella, Giselle, La Bayadere, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, Le Corsaire, Raymonda, as well as ballets by the most prestigious modern Russian Choreographers.
In the former USSR, Asia and Europe, Ms. Jigarhan’s choreographic credits include ballets Paquita, Swan Lake, Les Sylphides, Bakhiana Brasiliana by Villa Lobos, Raymonda, La Bayadere, numerous concert pieces and dances for operas Aida and Rigoletto. She has coached both students and artists for ballet competitions and Performances.
Ms. Jigarhan has taught ballet and coached at many well known institutions including: Moscow Musical Theater, the Polish National Ballet School, Polish National Ballet Theatre, Asami Maki Ballet Company in Japan, Star Dance Ballet, Japan; Prague National Theater, National Theater of Korea, Universal Ballet Company in Korea, EWHA University Dance Department in Korea, Washington School of Ballet, Kirov Ballet Academy, Tulsa Ballet, The Peabody Institute Dance Department at Johns Hopkins University, where she choreographed an original version of the full length ballet Coppelia. In 2008, she began working at the Academy of Colorado Ballet, official school of Colorado Ballet Company,as a Principal ballet instructor for 6 years.
Throughout her career, Giana Jigarhan has earned numerous accolades and honors. Notably, she was one of the few distinguished ballet instructors invited to attend the prestigious American School of Ballet's National Teachers Weekend, where she was one of fourteen teachers recognized for her exceptional contributions to the field.
Maria Rubin
Classical, Character Dance & Certified PBT Instructor
Guest Teacher
Maria Rubin was born & raised in Moscow, Russia. She entered the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet Academy in 2007 and graduated in 2015 (class of Tatyana Galtseva). Maria danced at the State Academic Theatre of Classical Ballet in Moscow, Russia & later joined the acclaimed Eifman Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia. As a dancer of the Eifman Ballet, Maria performed soloist roles in ballet's such as "Molière Passion, or The Mask of Don Juan", "Beyond Sin", "The Pygmalion Effect", "Roden, The Eternal Idol", & more.
She is the recipient of a special prize awarded by the expert council of the
"Golden Spotlight", the leading theatrical prize of St. Petersburg, Russia, to the performing ensemble of the ballet
"Tchaikovsky. Pro et Contra" for a high level of skill & enthusiasm. Maria holds a Bachelor of Arts in Pedagogy &
Choreography from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. After moving to the U.S., she has received her Progressive Ballet Training & Comprehensive Instructor in Balanced Pilates certification. She specializes in teaching a combination of PBT, Pilates, & Stretching insuring strengthening of deep core & small muscles while developing correct stretching technique in her students.
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