Faculty

Worldwide recognized and one of the best representatives of St. Petersburg ballet culture, educated in the best traditions of academic dance. She´s actual and one of the most acclaimed teachers of Vaganova Academy.

Upon graduating with honors, Galina has completed specialization courses in the class of NATALIA DUDINSKAYA AND IRINA TROFIMOVA at Vaganova Academy.

After she worked as first soloist at the Theatre of Choreographic Miniatures of Leonid Jacobson, an exceptional and principal choreographer of Kirov Theatre (now Mariinsky), in his time. With the company Galina danced around the world with great success.

In 1998 she graduated as a classical ballet teacher in Vaganova Ballet Academy. Since then she has acquired an extensive teaching practice and methodical didactic in ballet.

Currently, she teaches ballet in Vaganova Academy in Saint Petersburg, basically on elementary and intermediate levels. Also, Galina gives Stage Practice classes for children in the Mariinsky Theatre.

She has given numerous master classes in Japan, Denmark, Italy and other countries.

More information on: http://vaganovaacademy.ru/academy/structure/kafedri/classica/enikeeva.html

Yulia Kasenkova is an acclaimed teacher at the Vaganova Academy, outstanding because of all her achievements in pedagogic career.

Yulia Kasenkova graduated from Vaganova Ballet Academy, and joined the Mariinsky Ballet Company as a soloist from 1993 to 2014. She received a teaching degree from Vaganova Academy in 2010, and was immediately hired as a coach by Mikhailovsky Theatre. She joined Vaganova Academy in 2013, teaching international trainees, before being promoted in 2014. She has been teaching upper school classes ever since.

Yulia is a brilliant ballet teacher, she received major awards for her work and achieved some great results with her students.
Among her students, whom she graduated from, there are the prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theatre Alyona Kovaleva, the first soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre Maria Ilyushkina, the soloist of the Boris Eifman Ballet Victoria Mokrousova, the first soloist of the Croatian Folk Theatre Anamaria Markovic and many laureates of international competitions.

Yulia is an amazing, outstanding ballet master and it is such a privilege to have such a gifted teacher in our courses.

During more than 25 years she was the main tutor of one of the most important neoclassical dance theatres, in Saint Petersburg.

She graduated from the Vaganova Academy in 1967. And from this time was the first dancer in the Chamber Ballet directed by Gusev, where she danced leading roles in ballets such as Giselle, Don Quijote, Korsar and others. Since the 70´s she was the first dancer in the most prestigious theaters; She was the big star in“Choreographic Miniatures” of Leonid Yakobson, an excellent and very recognized worldwide choreographer. In most ballet encyclopedias she was considered as one of the most virtuous ballerinas of the XX century. She is a big living legend of ballet, and it´s a real honor to have her in our course.

Since the end of her dance career until today, Tatiana has excelled and left an indelible mark as a mentor and tutor of many professional artists, giving them the stamp of ballet stars.

She has given large number of master classes all over the world: United States , European Union countries, Japan and others.

Among her disciples we can highlight:  Natalia Osipova,Vera Arbuzova, Nina Zmievets, Svetlana Bednenko and other soloists of the big theaters like Eifman Ballet, Mikhailovsky Theatre, Jacobson Ballet Theatre etc.

In 1996 she graduated from Vaganova Academy of Ballet as a student of legendary Inna Zubkovskaya. She has been working since then with the Mariinsky Ballet where she dances soloist roles.

In addition, she graduated as teacher from the Vaganova Academy and the last four years she has been giving lessons in this prestigious school to the intermediate levels.

She has performed, among other soloist roles, the Sylph from La Sylphide by August Bournonville, Aurora and Princess Florine from The Sleeping Beauty by Marius Petipa and more neoclassical choreographies such as The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude by William Forsythe.

The Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta praises her versatility by saying that “her feet can command any tempi, emotions and styles”.
In our courses Ms. Ivanova will teach the intermediate levels. We are honored and lucky to be able to work with such a talented and professional teacher.

She was born on September 29, 1949 in Leningrad. She graduated from the Vaganova Academy, under the teachings of V.S. Kostrovitskayay V.M. Stankevich.

In 1968 she entered the Mikhailovsky Theater where she played numerous solo roles, where she remained for almost thirty years.

In 1993 she entered the Vaganova Ballet Academy, in the pedagogical department. Since 1996, she is a classical dance teacher of elementary grades. In 2007 she was elected to the post of assistant professor of the methodology of classical and duo-classical dance teaching.

Tatiana graduated from the Vaganova Academy in 1989. Since then her professional ballet career started in the State Opera and Ballet Theatre of Conservatory of St. Petersburg Rimsky-Korsakov.

Since 1990 Tatiana Cherkashina has been the soloist of this theatre. Her work as a ballet dancer and her labor in the cultural scope of the country has been recognized several times by most prestigious national awards from the Ministry of Culture of Russian Federation.
In 2008 she got the official grade of Teacher of Classical Ballet in the Vaganova Academy and has been teaching classical dance for over 10 years.

Tatiana Cherkashina has offered already various master classes of classical ballet in Norway, Israel and Japan.

Her major jobs:
• Soloist – “Classical Syphony” S. Prokofiev
• “Grand pa Classic” F. Ober/ V. Gazovsky
• Ballet dancer – “Petrushka” I. Stravinsky/M- Fokin
• Princess Aurora, princess Florina – “The Sleeping Beaty” P. Chaikovsky / M. Petipa (under reducción of Dolgushin)
• "Opus №45" А. Berg\ G.Contreras
• Ballet dancer – «Dreams» P. Chaikovsky/N. Dolgushin
• Odetta-Odilia – “The Swan Lake” P. Chaikovsky/ L. Ivanov, М. Petipa (under reducción of N. Dolgushin)
• Gisele – “Gisele” А. Аdan / Corrali, G. Perro, М. Petipa
• Fairy Drazhe – “The Nutcracker” P. Chaikovsky/V.Vaionen, L.Ivanov, N. Dolgushin
• "Grand Pa" soloist – "Pajita" L. Minkus / M. Petipa
• Julietta– "Epitafia" Т. Albinoni/N. Dolgushin
• Kitri – "Don Quijote" L. Minkus/A. Gorsky (under reducción of N. Dolgushin)
• Pimpinella – "Pulchinello" I. Stravinsky/K. Chubashev
• "Choreographic Miniatures” L. Yakobson

More information on <a target="_blank" href="http://vaganovaacademy.ru/academy/structure/kafedri/classica/tcherkashina.html"><b><u>Vaganova Academy website</u></b></a>.<br>

Direct disciple of N.I. Kovmira, who is the most valued professor of male technique in the middle and advanced levels in classical dance.

Andrey Yermolenkov was born on 06.02.1969 in Leningrad. He graduated from Vaganova Academy in 1987. In 1987-1989 he worked at the Maly Theater of Opera and Ballet (Mikhailovsky Theatre). 

Since 1989 he worked as a soloist in the Ballet Theatre under the direction of Eifman. 

During his career he performed all the current repertoire. In 2007 he graduated from the Pedagogical Faculty of Vaganova Academy as a teacher and tutor. Since 2006 he has been teaching classical dance in the middle and advanced levels in Vaganova Academy in Saint Petersburg.

Born in Leningrad. Graduated from the Vaganova Ballet Academy in 1998.

Joined the Mariinsky Ballet сompany the same year. Her repertoire included La Sylphide (Nancy, Sylphs), La Bayadère (Manu, Bayadères, Trio of Shades), The Sleeping Beauty (Carefree Fairy, Playfulness Fairy, Little Red Riding Hood), Swan Lake (Cygnets, Neapolitan Dance), Raymonda (Grand pas, variation), Le Corsaire (Trio of Odalisques), Don Quixote (Amour) etc.

Prize-winner at the International Vaganova-Prix Competition (2nd prize, St Petersburg, 1998).

Since 2019 she has been a coach with the Mariinsky Ballet, working with Vaganova Ballet Academy students engaged in the theatre’s performances.

Alexey graduated from the Perm State Choreographic School in 1985 (class of V.N. Tolstukhin).

After that he entered the Gorky Opera and Ballet Theater named after Alexander Pushkin. He danced all the solo ballet repertoire of the theater.
He was invited to Leningrad, to the International Foundation of Leonid Yakobson - the Maly Ballet of the Mariinsky Theatre. There Alexey danced leading parts in classical ballets and solo parts of the concert repertoire of the troupe led by O.M. Vinogradov.

In the late 90's he entered the Academy of Russian Ballet named after A.Ya.Vaganova at the Pedagogical Faculty (class of V.V. Rumyantseva). Throughout the training he taught in classes and rehearsed parts for concerts.

After graduating from the Academy he worked as a choreographer at the SABT Theatre and the Academy of the theatre in South Africa. Upon his return to Russia, he began teaching at the ARB in the Department of Classical and Duet-Classical Dance.

PARTIES: Pas de Trois (Swan Lake), Spartacus, Crassus (Spartacus), Albert (Giselle), Harlequin (Harlequinade).

Due to her spectacular curriculum and teaching experience Polina is the best representative of professional ballet environment to transmit Character Dance.

Polina is also a tutor and lecturer in Vaganova Academy in Saint Petersburg, as well as character dance soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre, considered one of the leading ballet theaters.

Her work in our intensiveы marked a turning point in our students. This discipline is vital and crucial for a ballet artist. It has its origin and development in Russia but in Europe unfortunately there are not many well formed specialists. Dance character usually marks a fundamental difference between one dancer and another, and can even decide their fate.

During the Russian Masters courses Polina teaches Character Dance to all professional groups.

Some notes about her professional activity:
Polina was born in St. Petersburg. In 1994 she graduated from the Vaganova Academy in the class of NATALIA DUDINSKAYA y ALISA STROGOYA, prominent legends in the history of ballet.

More information on Vaganova Academy website.

In 1991, graduated with honors from Vaganova Ballet Academy of Leningrad class of Natalia Dudinskaya and Konstantin Sergeev.
In 2005, graduated with honors from Vaganova Ballet Academy as a ballet tutor and choreography teacher.
In 2009, finished the post-graduate study of Vaganova Ballet Academy.
In 2015 Candidate of Sciences (PhD).
In 2012 Awarded the diploma of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.


1991 - 2012 - a ballet dancer at Mariinsky Theatre.

Since 2003 teaching character and historical dance at Vaganova Ballet Academy
Author of the book “Waltz. History and school of dance” and some articles on choreog-raphy.

Alexander Omar graduated from the Vaganova Ballet Academy in 2004 and the same year he joined the Mikhailovsky Ballet Company.

His repertoire included the roles of Tybalt (Romeo and Juliet, chor. by Nikolay Boyarchikov; chor. by Oleg Vinogradov), Spartacus, Crix and centurions (Spartacus, chor. by George Kovtun), Moor’s Friend (The Moor’s Pavane, chor. by Jose Limon), Gringoire (Esmeralda), solo in the Indian dance (La Bayadère), the role of Fairy Carabosse (The Sleeping Beauty, rev. by Nikolay Boyarchikov), Mr Drosselmeyer, Abdurrahman and solo role in panaderos (Raymonda), Rose waltz and Spanish dance (The Nutcracker, chor. by Nikolay Boyarchikov), Ali and Isaac Lanquedem (Le Corsaire, rev. by Farukh Ruzimatov).

Last and very great addition to the constellation of stars which is Russian Masters. Formed by the great ballet legend, Natalia Dudinskaya. Elena Alkanova was a soloist at the Mariinsky and Mikhailovsky Theatre, the two best ballet companies in the world. Actually she´s focused already for more than 20 years in her work teaching classical ballet in Vaganova Academy in Saint Petersburg.

Born January 29, 1954 in Leningrad. In 1972 she graduated from the Leningrad Academic Choreography School. She studied at Vaganova in Natalia Dudinskaya's class and was accepted into the company of the Mariinsky Theatre, where she performed roles in the ballets “Sleeping Beauty”, “Swan Lake”, “Le Corsaire” and others. From 1975 to 1993 soloist in Mikhailovsky. Today she is perhaps one of the best professors of classical dance in the world.

More information on: http://vaganovaacademy.ru/academy/structure/kafedri/classica/alkanova.html

“A tall, and with noble elongated lines, she perfectly embodies the modern type of the Petersburg ballerina - elegant and aristocratic.” - Ballet Magazine.

Sofya Gumerova graduated from the Vaganova Academy an an artist in 1995. The same year she entered the company of the Mariinsky Theater, becoming a ballet soloist in 2016. Sofya also graduated from the faculty of ballet staging of the St. Petersburg State Conservatory of Rimsky-Korsakov as a tutor-choreographer.

In 2010 Sofya received the title of honored Artist of Russia.

Sofia’s repertoire includes more than 30 roles, including the beloved Giselle (Giselle, Manna, Mirta), Swan Lake (Odette - Odile, large swans), La Bayadere (Nikia, Grand pas, trio of shadows), Corsair (Medora, a trio of odalisks), La Sylphide (La Sylphide), the Sleeping Beauty (Princess Aurora, Candide Fairy, Princess Florine), Raymonda (Raymonda, Clemance, Grand pas), Don Quixote (Kitri, Street Dancer, Queen of the Dryads), Michel Fokine’s ballets The Dying Swan, Chopiniana, and many many others!

Repertoire also includes:
Ondine (Queen of the Sea); choreography by Pierre Lacotte,
Reverence; choreography by David Dawson,
the duet from the ballet The Ghostly Ball; choreography by Dmitry Bryantsev,
Goya-Divertissement (Duchess of Alba); choreography by José Antonio,
Like an Old Organ Grinder; choreography by Alexei Miroshnichenko,
Pas de quatre (Carlotta Grisi, Lucile Grahn); choreography by Anton Dolin
and Euphoria; choreography by Nikita Dmitrievsky.

Sofya Gumerova has been working as a guest teacher for foreign students at the Vaganova Academy. Now she gives classes at the St. Petersburg State Conservatory of Rimsky-Korsakov of classical heritage and the art of being a tutor as well as acting classes at the Eifman Academy. In addition, Sofya conducts master classes all over the world.

Mikhail Sivakov graduated from the Vaganova Ballet Academy in 1998, in the class of Konstantin Shatilov, and the same year he joined the Mikhailovsky Theatre.

He performed the roles of James (La Sylphide), Ahmet and Ali (Le Corsaire, rev. by Pyotr Gusev), Phoebus (Esmeralda), Solor (La Bayadère), Jean de Brien (Raymonda), Blue Bird and Fleur de Pois’s Cavalier (The Sleeping Beauty), Basilio and Espada (Don Quixote), Mikado (Princess of the Moon, or The Tale of Taketori, chor. by Nikolay Boyarchikov), Spartacus (Spartacus, chor. by Georgy Kovtun), Rose Waltz (The Nutcracker).
Now his repertoire includes roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, ou Les Wilis, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Laurencia, Cipollino, Without Words, Nunc Dimittis.

Larisa Lezhnina was born on March 17, 1969 in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Russia.
She graduated from the Vaganova Ballet Academy in Leningrad in 1987 and joined the Kirov Ballet (now the Mariinsky Ballet).

In 1990 she became a First Soloist. In 1994 she left the Mariinsky and joined the Dutch National Ballet as a principal.
In 2006, she was awarded the Alexandra Radius Prize, and she received the Merit Award from Dansersfonds ’79 in 2010.

In 2012, Larissa played an important role in the documentary De Balletmeesters, in which film maker Sonia Herman Dolz closely followed Larissa’s partner, ballet master Guillaume Graffin, and the head of the artistic staff, Rachel Beaujean.

Her repertoire includes Cinderella (Ashton), Giselle (version by Wright), Nutcracker and Mouseking (Eagling and Van Schayk), Onegin (Cranko), Romeo and Juliet (Van Dantzig), The Sleeping Beauty (version by Wright), La Sylphide (version by Bjørn) and Swan Lake (version by Van Dantzig). Larissa retired in June 2014.

The experience of having a teacher like Larisa is unparalleled: our students will have that privilege this year. We welcome Larisa to Russian Masters Ballet.

Currently, she is the main tutor of the Dutch National Ballet.

Margarita Kullik is the tutor of the prestigious and old company of the Mariinsky Theatre, where she stands out as one of the best in the world in her profession.

She graduated in 1981 at the Vaganova Academy with the legendary Natalia Dudinskaia and Irina Trofimova as her teachers. She immediately entered the Mariinsky Ballet, where she quickly rose to the position of a principal star. Kullik premiered numerous roles for this prestigious company such as La Fille Mal Gardée (choreography by Oleg Vinogradov) and Cinderella (choreography by Alexei Ratmanski). As the first dancer she assumed the lead roles in Don Quixote, Cinderella, Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty, The Sylphide, The Corsair, Romeo and Juliet, among many others, and toured different countries. Among her awards it stands out the prize of the International Ballet Competition of Varna (Bulgaria) in 1983.

Since 2013 Margarita Kullik has been a tutor at the Mariinsky Ballet and her remarkable work is palpable in the excellence of her pupils (such as Renata Shakirova and Kim Kimin), and has elevated her to the top and enshrined as a legend.

Denis Matvienko was born in 1979 in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. He began his training in classical dance at a very young age at the Kiev State Choreography School, and at the age of 18 he joined the Ukrainian National Ballet as a first figure.

In 2001 he joined the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg as a soloist. In 2003 he returned to the Ukrainian National Ballet and in 2007 he moved back to St. Petersburg to the Mikhailovsky Theatre as a principal dancer. Two years later, in 2009, he returned as principal star to the Mariinsky.

He has been a guest dancer with numerous companies, such as the Bolshoi, the New National Theatre of Japan, the Alla Scala Theatre and the Paris Opera.

During his career he has performed numerous princely roles, but he is a dancer with great versatility, which allows him to excel in neoclassical and contemporary works.

He has won major dance awards, including first place in the Luxembourg ballet competitions in 1997 and Budapest in 1998; the gold medal in Nagoya in 1999; and first place in the Moscow competition in 2005.

From 2011 to 2013 Matvienko was appointed artistic director and principal dancer of the ballet company of the Ukrainian National Opera and since June 2016 he has been artistic director of the ballet company of the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre.

From 2020 to 2022 he taught classical dance at the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg.

Formed by Ludmila Safronova, one of the last students of Agrippina Vaganova, Anna Podlesnaya has graduated summa cum laude as ballerina and after as a teacher at the Vaganova Academy.

She worked with legendary teachers such as Alla Shelest, Alla Osipenko, Lyudmila Kunakova and Ninel Petrova, Lyudila Safronova.

Anna Podlesnaya represents the St. Petersburg´s school in its purest form, even to receive the epithet “Vaganova’s granddaughter.” After an acclaimed career as a Principal Dancer, she became an outstanding teacher. Her excellence as Teacher is shown in details such as the correct position of hands and feet, she combines attention to detail with great sympathy and sensitivity when working with children.

Asiya Lukmanova graduated in Rudolf Nureyev Choreographic School in 2002. Graduated summa cum laude in Vaganova Ballet Academy.

She became a star ballet dancer in the Saint-Petersburg Ballet Theatre K.Tachkin.

At the age of 17 years old she danced her first soloist part: Kitri, in “Don Quijote”. At 25 years old she became a Promotor in one of the biggest music festivals of Spain nowadays, with more than 30,000 attendants: Electromar festival.

Nowadays she drives her best ever proyect: Russian Masters Ballet. She wants to expand all over the globe the best classical ballet traditions and with fair prices to broke limits and help students to improve and become the best.

Dancer and teacher with extensive experience.

Olga graduated Perm Professional Ballet School, Russia in 1993.

After that she immediately joined The Opera and Ballet Theatre of Perm as a dancer, ascending to the category of soloist. With the company Pavlova danced the great ballets of the classical repertoire.

To pursue her teaching career, graduated Bolshoi Theatre Academy as a Classical Dance teacher.

Finally, she moved to Spain to focus fully on her pedagogical role, teaching at the Artis Reus School and all RMB programs.

Elena Kukseva is a highly respected ballet master who holds a teaching certificate from the prestigious Vaganova Ballet Academy, in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Mrs. Kukseva received her early professional ballet training and experience from the Perm State Choreographic Academy. In 1986, upon graduation from Perm she accepted a position in the Nijzgorod Ballet Theatre where she had the opportunity to demonstrate her technical brilliance and theatrical mastery by performing many leading roles in classical ballets, such as "Gisele", Spanish Dance in "Swan Lake", Gypsy in "Don Quichote". In 1991 she transitioned to the Small Mariinsky Ballet Company in Leningrad to dance under the direction of Leonid Yakobson.

Mrs. Kukseva toured nationally and internationally performing such recognizable works as 9 Tangos and Bach, Wedding Cortege, Arlekinade, Roden's Sculptures and Pas-de-trois Rossini.

She currently lives and works in St. Petersburg, Russia. Since 2014, Elena is a regular guest of Russian Masters Ballet, teaching at holiday Workshops and Winter Intensives, helping RMB students achieve new heights in ballet training, in line with world requirements.

Elena has been teaching at the Boris Eifman Academy of Dance since 2018

In 1986 he graduated from the Saratov Choreographic Conservatory in the class of GENNADY ALBERT, who was a direct disciple with Rudolf Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Alla Osipenko of mythical Alexander Pushkin, considered a legend among teachers of classical ballet..

During his soloist career he worked at the Theatre of Boris Eifman, Gorki Theatre, Theatre K.Tachkin and others. He participated in productions of famous Mariinsky Theatre choreographers, among others worked with Ignatev and Ganibalova.

Graduated with honors from the Vaganova Academy as a teacher in the class of LUDMILA SAFRONOVA, who confirmed that it is one of the great hopes and best Vaganova methodists.

Ballet dancer and teacher.

Born in Kiev. From the age of 5, she began to study at the Deryugins' Gymnastics School in Kiev.

At the age of 10 she entered the Kiev Choreography School. Danced solo parts in the ballet "Theme with Variations" staged by V. Kovtun, The great classical pas from the ballet "Paquita", Pas de six from the ballet "Markitanka", Naina from the opera "Ruslan and Lyudmila", "Revived frescoes" from the ballet " Humpbacked Horse ", pas de deux from the ballet" The Venetian Carnival "," Classical pas de deux "by D. Balanchine.

After graduation, she came to St. Petersburg. From 1995 to 2010 she worked at the Academic Ballet Theater of Boris Eifman.

She took part in all theater performances (Russian Hamlet, Giselle (girlfriends), Pinocchio (Fox Alice, Red Giselle, Tchaikovsky, Requiem, My Jerusalem, Don Juan And Moliere "," Karamazov "," Seagull "," Anna Karenina "...).

In 2010-2011 she worked at the Helen Prokopieva DanceTheater "The Fortress Ballet". Danced in the performances "Attempt of tenderness", "Wait for an Angel", "Singing in July".

Marianna participated in the theatrical project "Lessons of Tango and Love" in which the People's Artist of the USSR Alisa Freindlikh, Varvara Vladimirova and the Dance Theater "The Fortress Ballet" took part. Producer and choreographer of the play is Elena Prokopyeva.

She graduated from the Russian Ballet Academy of  Vaganova specializing in "Pedagogy of the ballet".

She taught classical dance at the St. Petersburg Music Hall Theater. From 2011 to the present she is a teacher of choreography at the Academy of figure skating. She also teaches classical dance lessons at the DAR Dance Academy.

A new teacher joins Russian Masters’ Faculty. We welcome Natalya Lazebnikova.

Natalya Lazebnikova was born in 1980 in Kyiv, Ukraine. She first studied at the Kremer School of Rhythmic Gymnastics. In 1990, she entered the Kiev State Choreographic School, in the class of Putilina T.N. and was also a student of Marina Semenova.

In 1994 she became a diploma winner of the Prix de Lausanne competition, after which she was invited to study by Marika Bezobrazova, director of the Academie de danse Princess Grace (Monaco), where she studied according to the methods of Asaf Messerer.

In 1997, she graduated as a part-time student from the Kiev State Choreographic School with a red diploma.

While still a student of the 2nd year of the school, she danced leading roles at the National Opera of Ukraine. After a successful tour in Europe, she was recognized by the media as the best Juliet. At the age of 21, she received the status of principal dancer.

Since 2004, Natalia has been actively invited on tours by theaters and concert agencies. She took part in the Rudolf Nureyev festival (Kazan), and “Le Gala des Etoiles du XXIe siecle” (Paris). Guest dancer at the Lithuanian National Theatre, Belgrade Theatre, Kazan Theatre… her repertoire includes more than 20 performances of classical and modern choreography.

In 2009, she became an Honored Artist of Ukraine.

Since 2012, Natalia has been successfully combining artistic activities with tutoring. In 2020, she became Master of Choreographic Sciences.

She is also an official teacher of PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) and founder of a professional choreographic training center in Kyiv since 2021.  
Natalia's students study at famous schools in the world: Munich, Brussels, the Vaganova Academy, the Boris Eifman Academy.

We are very happy to have Natalya Lazebnikova among us this year too.

Anton Waldbauer was born in a small city in Russia and began his studies at the Gymnasium of Arts.

After participating in the prestigious competition Prize de Lausanne, he received an invitation to continue his studies at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet. He graduated from the Academy with honors in 2003.
Then he entered the Department of Modern Dance at the Higher School of Arts (Frankfurt, Germany) and at the end, of course, joined the European Ballet (London).

In 2004, he accepted an invitation to the role of lead soloist in the State Opera and Ballet Theater of the Komi Republic (Russian Federation).
Where for two seasons he has been playing the leading parts in the classical repertoire and participating in new Theater productions.

In 2006, she took part in the 10th Anniversary Ballet Competition in Moscow, where she won a diploma for the best choreography, with his debut work “6 Seconds”. In the same year, he returned to Europe and began to dance with the prestigious Netherlands Dance Theater. Where Anton became the first Russian artist in the 50th history of the troupe.

In 2009 he joined the Kullberg Ballet (Stockholm, Sweden).
And in 2010 he returned to Holland to the main troupe of the Dutch Dance Theater. Where, over the years of his work, Anton had collaborated with many prestigious choreographers, such as Jiri Kylian, Ohad Naharin, Paul Lightfoot, Johan Inger, Wim Vandekeybus, Crystal Pite, Sharon Eyal, Sasha Waltz, and many others.

In 2013, at the invitation of Johannes Oman, he became the first soloist and the main artist in all-new productions of the Royal Swedish Ballet.
In 2014, he acted as a guest artist at the Nobel Gala.
In 2016, he received the Pina Bausch Prize and collaborates with Familie Flöz, a troupe of physical theater from Berlin.

Since 2012, Anton has been actively engaged in teaching modern dance, improvisation, and choreography. He is currently a guest teacher at many prestigious centers/schools throughout Europe.
Anton is also actively engaged in his productions and his choreographic works were presented in the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Russia, France, and Spain. His first short film, 33 Questions, was presented at the Stockholm Dance Festival.

Winner of “The Best Teacher of Complementary Education" award by the city hall of St. Petersburg (2012)
Winner of the Educational Achievements Competition (2012)

Svetlana Efimova was born in Leningrad in 1966. She graduated from the Vaganova Academy (Professor A. I. Trofimova, 1984).
During 1990 - 1992 she was a soloist of the theatre "Russky Ballet" in St. Petersburg. Then for a year she developed her career as a ballet dancer at the Symphony State Capella of St. Petersburg under the leadership of Georgy Aleksidze. Until 1998 Svetlana danced in the Maliy Ballet of the Mariinsky Theatre and then until 2008 she worked at the Ballet Theatre of Konstantin Tachkin in St. Petersburg.

The repertoire of Svetlana includes among others: ballet "Paquita" (Grand Pas, variation), "Les Sylphides" (Eleventh Waltz), "Fairy Doll" (Pas de trois), "Giselle" (Vilisa, friends), "The Nutcracker" (Waltz of the snowflakes, pink Waltz), "Swan lake" (Pas de trois, the Hungarian dance, little swans), "La Vivandière" (Pas de six). As a performer she worked with choreographers: Oleg Vinogradov, Giorgy Aleksidse, Dmitry Bryantsev.

She graduated from the Faculty of Education of the Vaganova Ballet Academy (2010). Since 2008 Svetlana has been a teacher and tutor of the School of Classical Ballet where she has acquired an extensive pedagogical practice as well as vast experience in teaching methods.

Education

Graduated as Bachelor of arts in Classical Ballet 1990 - 1998 Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet , Saint Petersburg, Russia
Graduated summa cum laude as a Teacher in February of 2020 Moscow State Academy of Choreography, Russia (commonly known as Bolshoi Ballet Academy)

Teaching Experience

Since 2019 - freelance ballet teacher in The Netherlands, specialized in teaching the Vaganova method of classical Ballet

Ballet Mistress 2017 - 2018
Ballet de Catalunya - Barcelona, Spain
● Daily classes and rehearsals
● Presented Grand Pas from "Paquita" (version of Mariinsky theater) and Gala Concert of classical repertoire, as a Premier presentation of the “Ballet de Catalunya”
● Collaborated as assistant choreographer in the creation of "The Nutcracker"

Invited Ballet Teacher July 2018
Festival " +Danza " - San Salvador, El Salvador.
● Guest teacher - Master classes of ballet, Pas de deux and classical repertoire - advanced level.
● Integrating classical repertoire in the Gala concert of the Festival

Ballet Teacher 2014 - 2019
Dansa Spin - Barcelona, Spain
● Classical ballet and repertoire - advanced, intermediate and beginners level.
● Choreographed and directed ballet performances for national and international competitions and annual shows.
In May of 2016 her students won of the first prize, with her choreography "Nocturne" at the national dance competition "Anaprode", Tarragona, Spain.
In April 2019 - second price for Ksenia,s choreography “Rolling in the Deep” at the international competition “Dance World Cup”, Burgos, Spain.

Ballet Teacher 2014 - till present time Russian Masters Ballet Camp Alicante, Spain
● Classical ballet and physical strength - intermediate and beginners level.

Dancing Experience

1998 - 2005 " St.Petersburg State Academic Ballet Theater of Leonid Jacobson" , Russia, performing classical repertoire as "The Swan Lake", "Giselle", "The Nutcracker", "Spartacus", "Carmen" and "The Miniatures of Leonid Jacobson".

2003 - Festival of modern Choreography "White Nights", dedicated to Celebration of 300 years of Saint Petersburg.
Received a People's Choice Award for dancing neoclassical choreography «Alone», created by russian neoclassical choreographer L. Ivanova.

2005 - 2006 "Universal Ballet Company" Seoul, South Korea
Performing in "Don Quixote", "Giselle" and "The Nutcracker".

2006 - 2013 WEP Productions MSC, Italy - soloist of international ballet.

Languages

English: Fluent speaking and writing
Spanish: Fluent speaking and writing
Russian: Native Language
Dutch : Basic speaking

She has the historical privilege to be the daughter and disciple of the great Tatiana Sevastianova. Graduated with honors at the Vaganova Academy, as an artist and teacher in ballet class of Udalenkova.

After her soloist career in various ballet companies, she became supervisor and teacher of great Russian ballet companies, including the prestigious Ballet L. Yakobson.

She was a guest soloist in the ballet company of the Leningrad Conservatory named after Rimskiy-Korsakov.

In 1993 she was invited to the ballet company of Prague as soloist.
From 1995-1998 she was a soloist of the State Theatre in Brno.
Since 1998, soloist in the company .L.Yakobson.
She participated in tours around Russia and the world.

One of the most outstanding European artists and choreographers, Denis Untila, will give classes of Contemporary Dance to the students of RMBC 2018. A unique opportunity to learn from the best.

Denis Untila began his dance career in his homeland, Moldova, and completed his training by graduating from the Vienna Conservatory. He joined the Ballet Kiel in 2001 under the direction of Mario Schröder as a soloist. He performed as a guest dancer in Schröder’s choreography “The Wall” in Essen in 2004. Further guest appearances have taken him to the Moldovan National Opera, and to Salzau, France and Italy (“Europe Dance”), then to the ballet company of the Vienna State Opera, where he performed in “The Nutcracker” and as Oscar in Vladimir Malakhov’s ballet “A Masked Ball”.

Since the autumn of 2006 Denis has been a member of the Aalto Ballet Essen, firstly as a group dancer with solo obligations and then from 2009 as a soloist with group commitments. On the Aalto stage he has danced solo roles as Dmitri (“The Brothers Karamazov“), Valerio (“Leonce and Lena”), Blue Bird (“Sleeping Beauty”), Bécaud (“La vie en rose”), Lillas Pastia (“Carmen/Boléro”), Moritz (“Max and Moritz), as well as further soloist roles in “Homage to Queen” and “Irish Soul”. He has also choreographed “The Soldier’s Tale” (Family Concert), “Game” (“PTAH”) and together with Michelle Yamamoto, “Alice” (“PTAH II”), "Jo“ and "Passacaglia“ ("PTAH III“). In the 2012/2013 season he choreographed his first full-length ballet “Othello” for the Aalto Theatre. Denis Untila is the winner of the Aalto Stage Prize for young artists 2012. After successfully creating „Vibrations“ for Essener Philharmonie, he presents a new choreography in 2018: „Moving Colours“, together with Armen Hakobyan.

Daria Vergizova - choreographer and teacher

In 2015 she graduated from the St. Petersburg State Conservatory. N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov, specialty "choreographer-director".
In 2018 she defended her master's degree in ballet master-stage at the Vaganova Academy of Russian.

Currently:
Member of the Union of Theater Workers of the Russian Federation.
Contemporary dance teacher at the Vaganova Ballet Academy.
Choreographer and artistic director of Ballet. Theater "since 2018.
Artistic director of the children's dance center “Ballet. Theatre. Kids "from 2020.

Creative work as a choreographer:
- in the Hermitage Theater: operas: "Aleko", music. S. Rachmaninoff; "Iolanta", music P. I. Tchaikovsky; ballet "Blue Bird", music. Lera Finkelstein, School of Classical Ballet. N.A. Dolgushina.
- at the Alexandrovsky Theater (New Stage, St. Petersburg), performances: "PING-PONG", music. Lera Finkelstein; "Songs of Ri", music. Angelica Habibova.
- at the Theater of the Conservatory (St. Petersburg): "Wardrobe", a choreographic performance; "Shot" one-act performance, within the framework of the "Dance without Borders" festival;
- theatrical venue "Residence" (St. Petersburg), performances: "Poplars and the Wind", music. V. Finkelstein; "Silence", music. I.S.Bach, Artem Petaykin.
- in the children's theater of ballet "Nutcracker" (Yekaterinburg): ballet "Little Prince", music. Lera Finkelstein.
- choreographer of the opening ceremony of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in 2014, 2015, 2016.
other.

Laureate and participant of numerous competitions and festivals, including:
2013 - International competition of choreographers "Riga Spring" (Riga, Latvia)
2013 - choreographic workshop "Dance - platform" (Yekaterinburg)
2014 - International competition of ballet dancers and choreographers named after I. E. Maximova "Arabesque - 2014" (Perm)
2014 - youth festival of choreography "Runway" (St. Petersburg)
2018 - Youth theater festival "InterseasonFest", opening of the festival with the play "Poplars and Wind"
2018 - International Festival of Masters of Arts "Motley Tulip", Brest (Belarus), screening of the play "Poplars and Wind"
2018 - International Festival "Christmas Parade", St. Petersburg. The play "Poplars and the Wind" won in the nomination "Best Plastic Performance"
2019 - international festival of non-state plastic theaters "Couranta", St. Petersburg. The play "Ping Pong" won the nomination "Best Adult Performance".
2020 - international festival Istanbul Fringe Festival, performance "Songs of Ri" (Turkey, Istanbul)
2021 - International Festival "Christmas Parade", St. Petersburg. The play "Songs of Ri" won in the nomination "Best Plastic Performance".
2021 - Belaya Vezha International Theater Festival, Brest. Performances "Songs of Ri", "PING - PONG".

Staging of dance numbers and miniatures for children's groups and professional artists St. Petersburg, Leningrad Region, Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk Region, Perm Region, Ufa, Penza, Ulan-Ude, Japan, China.

Instagram: @daria.verg
Vkontakte: https://vk.com/darverg
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/dasha.vergizova

Russian Masters organisation is glad to introduce the teacher of historical and character dances: Aleksandra Lebedeva. She will be working with us in the next courses and she has been recommended specifically by the Vaganova Academy.

Graduated from the Vaganova Academy of Dance, she has worked since 1997 in the Mariinsky Theatre as a dancer. Since 2018 she is also a student of the pedagogical faculty of the Vaganova Academy. She also conducts rehearsals of the students from the Academy sometimes.

She has a lot of experience working the historical repertoire on the Mariinsky Theatre stage. She performed as a soloist in “The Fountain of Bakhchisarai'' (Krakowiak), "The Swan Lake'' (mazurka) “Don Quixote'' (Gipsy), “The Nutcracker'' (Lady) and "Polovtsian dances'' and she has also danced every kind of historical dances such as quadrilles, minuets, sarabandes, polonaises and other kind of dances highly used in classical repertoire.

During the course of historical dance, students will study and get familiar with the following dances from Mariinsky Theatre: the Minuet from “Rigoletto”, the Quadrille from “The Queen of swords” and the Polonaise from “Eugene Onegin”, among other pieces and apart from the theoretical material following the methodology of the Vaganova Academy.

Roman Petukhov graduated the Perm Choreography School in 1993. Same year he was recruited to work at the Mikhailovsky Theater as a ballet dancer where he still works.

In 2011 he graduated Vaganova Ballet Academy in the direction of "Ballet Pedagogy”. It includes the study of teaching methods of "classical", "duet-classical", "historical" and "folk-character" dance. Completed advanced training in teaching character dance in 2020.

He is a teacher of character dance at the Eifman Academy and a tutor at the Mikhailovsky Theater. Rehearsing the parts: Spartak and Crix “Spartacus”, Espada “Don Quixote”, Pas d'esclave “Corsair”, Police “Cipollino”, Medj “Sylphide”, etc.

Takes part in all tours of the Mikhailovsky Theater: Japan, USA, Spain, Italy, Austria, Finland, Turkey, England, Canada, Germany.

His repertoire included roles in the productions: The Little Humpbacked Horse, La Fille mal gardée, Giselle, Harlequinade, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Faust, La Bayadère, Cinderella, or The Crystal Shoes, The Princess of the Moon, La Fille mal gardée, Raymonda , Romeo and Juliet, La Bayadère, Le Corsaire, among others.

Participated in the projects Dance Open, Classics at Dvortsovaya. Held a cadet ball "To the Glory of the Fatherland" in St. Petersburg

Education

1991-1999 Kazan Choreographic School, specialty ballet dancer

2000-2005 Kazan State University of Culture and Arts, specialty teacher-choreographer

2006-2011 St. Petersburg State Conservatory, Department of Directing Musical Theater, specialty "Art of Choreographer", class of prof. Polubentseva A.M.

2012 Postgraduate study at the Vaganova Ballet Academy (specialty theory and methods of professional education).

Pedagogical experience

2013 - Russian State Pedagogical University named after Herzen, senior lecturer of the Department of Choreographic Art, (mastery of the choreographer, modern jazz dance.)

2016-2017 - teacher of classical dance of the senior classes GBOU Secondary School No 654 with in-depth study of subjects of the artistic and aesthetic cycle "Choreography", St. Petersburg

2013-2014 - a practical Pilates course for high school students in the framework of the scientific research of Vaganova Ballet Academy

2011-2012 - St. Petersburg School of Arts No 19, teacher-choreographer.

2013-2016 - teacher-choreographer of the children's studio at the Music Hall Theater, St. Petersburg.

2017- B. Eifman Academy of Dance, Pilates gymnastics teacher, teacher-choreographer.

Many years of experience in academic theaters in Kazan, Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Repertoire:

Swan Lake - Pas de Trois / Big Swans / Spanish Dance;

Giselle - Myrtha;

Sleeping Beauty - Diamond Fairy Variation / Stones Variation / Courage Fairy Variation

Nutcracker - Spanish dance, two snowflakes, oriental dance.

Don Quixote - Gypsy dance / Mercedes / Gitan dance (solo) / Insert variations Grand Pas / Corsair - Trio of odalisques / Palestinian dance (solo)

La Bayadere - Hindu dance / Jampe (deuce) / Trio (Shadows)

Shurale - Fire Witch

One Thousand and One Nights - Marjana

Peer-Gynt- Heavenly Trio / Oze / Girlfriends

The Legend of Yusuf - Braid Dance (solo)

Coppelia - Swanilda's Friends

Futile Perversion - Girlfriends

Numerous educational programs, including:

2017 Monika Koch (Austria) - a practice of expressive - expressive movement based on the developments and experience of Rudolf Laban. European Dance Theater.

2016- Raza Hamadi (France) - jazz mix

2015- Salim Goulus (USA) - contemporary jazz

2014 workshop Anton Waldbauer (Royal Swedish Ballet) Contemporary Dance

2013 workshop Richard Alston (Great Brinain, London) - Modern Dance

2013 workshop Stefan Zheromski (NDT Netherlands) - Contemporary Dance

2012 Institute of Professional Jazz Education in Moscow:

etc.

Development of work programs for ballet pedagogy:

"Workshop on the formation of dance improvisation skills for choreographers"

"Adapted Pilates Method for Dancers". The goal is to develop physical data, correct posture and prevent the development of microtraumatic disease in dancers.

Yury started vocational ballet training at the age of 10 when he was accepted to world famous Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia.

After graduating, he was invited to dance as principal dancer for St. Petersburg State Academic Ballet Theatre. With the company he performed at Mariinsky Theatre, Bolshoi Theatre and many others, touring internationally for 15 years. He also worked as the choreographer and ballet master for the Temma Ballet School in Osaka, Japan.

He moved to the UK to become Artistic Director of Swansea Ballet Russe as well as performing Principal roles. Yury is also Guest Choreographer and Ballet Master for Cork City Ballet where he has created many classical ballet repertoires including Swan Lake, Giselle, Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty for the company.

He is also Guest Teacher for Matthew Bourne’s New Adventure Dance Company, Russian Icons Gala, English National Ballet School and many other schools & companies in Japan, Ireland & UK.

He is married to Prima ballerina Chika Temma, with whom he runs the very successful Bristol Russian Ballet School and the Bristol Russian Youth Ballet Company, where he is the Artistic Director.

It is our honor to receive him in our Vaganova Academy Official Summer Intensives.

Eleonora Adeeva-Chernysheva graduated from the Nureyev Choreographic School. As a student, she danced in the ballets of Yu.N. Grigorovich.

After graduating from college, she was invited to join the SPBT troupe, where she prepared roles with famous ballerinas Alla Osipenko and Svetlana Efremova. She danced all the main parts (Odette-Odile from Swan Lake, Nikiya from Bayadère, Paquita from Paquita, Sereni Fairy from The Sleeping Beauty, Snow Queen from The Nutcracker.) Laureate of international competitions.

In 2009 she graduated from the St. Petersburg State Unitary Enterprise - Faculty of Choreography, received the qualification of a teacher of classical dance. Successfully held master classes in Hungary, Austria, Latvia, Mauritius. Her students have been awarded the highest awards in international competitions.