Bayer Ballet Academy - Ballet School Faculty

LEADERSHIP

INNA BAYER

EDUCATION

Master's Degree, Pedagogy with Honors, Bolshoi Ballet Academy

Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, Voronezh State Academy of Arts

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Founder, Artistic Director | Instructor

Inna Bayer is a master teacher of the Russian Vaganova Method of Classical Ballet and Character Dance with more than 13 years of experience as a professional dancer and 30 years of experience as a Ballet Mistress. Inna received a Master's Degree, with honors, in Pedagogy and Choreography from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy (Moscow State Academy of Choreography). Inna received her Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, from the Voronezh State Academy of Arts. During her artistic career, Inna toured in France, Spain, Germany, and Poland. She performed as a Classical Ballet soloist in Kiev (Ukraine). This impressive career both informs her artistic and technical expertise.

Inna began her teaching career at Bat-Dor dance school where she taught Classical and Character Dance in 1992. Later, she moved to the United States to teach Character Dance at San Francisco Ballet School. From 2000 until the summer of 2007 Inna was Ballet mistress at Westlake School for the Performing Arts (Daly City, CA). During her tenure there she prepared students for many performances including Nutcracker, competitions, and recitals. Her final year included students participating triumphantly in the Aberdeen International Youth Festival (Scotland).

In 2002, American Dance Awards named Inna the "Choreographer of the Year" and in 2016 Miss Bayer was awarded, "Outstanding Teacher" at the Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP) in San Francisco.

Inna founded Bayer Ballet Academy in 2005 out of a passion for teaching the art of ballet to future generations. The school has been named "Outstanding School" by YAGP for six consecutive years (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023). Her students have received top honors, including Grand Prix and first prize, at international and regional competitions such as Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), International Dance Challenge (IDC), World Ballet Competition (WBC) and American Dance Awards.

Bayer Ballet Academy students have been accepted into prestigious programs, including those of the Vaganova Ballet Academy, Paris Opera, American Ballet Theatre, Royal Ballet, Princess Grace Academy, and Bolshoi Ballet.

Inna's students from Israel and the United States have danced in European and American professional dance troupes such as: Mariinsky Ballet, Batsheva Dance Company (Israel), Ballet Israely (Israel), Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company (Israel), Scottish Ballet (Scotland), Compania Nacional de Danza (Nacho Duato Artistic Director), State Ballet of Georgia, Alberta Ballet (Canada), Inbal Pinto Dance Company, Austin Ballet, Boston Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Smuin Ballet, Eifman Ballet Saint Petersburg, Russia, Atlanta Ballet, Hrvatsko narodno kazalište HNK Split Balet / Croatian National Theater, State Ballet in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria and more.

ALEKSEI FOMKIN, PhD

EDUCATION

Vaganova Ballet Academy, St.Petersburg

Degree, Choreography, Ballet Artist

Degree, Researcher, Ballet Critic, Teacher

PhD, Herzen Russian State Pedagogical Institute,

St.Petersburg

Dissertation “Historical Traditions of Contemporary Ballet Education”

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School Principal, Bayer Ballet Academy

Mr. Fomkin, PhD is a world-renowned artist of ballet, administrator, methodoligist, and researcher of choreographic education.

PERFORMANCE CAREER

Mr. Fomkin danced solo male parts at the Mariinsky Theatre from 1991-2011. During this period Mr. Aleksei participated in many tours in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Ireland, UK, Iceland, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Turkey, Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Estonia, China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, etc. In 1995 Mr. Aleksei danced in the ballet troupe "Universal Ballet" (South Korea) as a solo dancer.

ADJUDICATOR ADMINISTRATOR & EDUCATOR

From 1999-2013, Mr. Fomkin worked at the Vaganova Ballet Academy. During his tenure, he held the following positions:

Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs
Head of the Department of Choreographic Education
Professor
RF Ministry of Education and Science, Working Group for the Implementation of Bologna Principles in Russia

Mr. Fomkin created and implemented innovative programs and systems:

Created Bachelor’s Degree program, “High Education for the ballet dancers;”
Created Master's Degree program, "Scientific and creative laboratory of modern dance forms;”
Organized master classes of outstanding masters of European choreography.

2007: The Golden Mask - the Russian Theatre Festival and the National Theatre Award | Member of the Jury;

2015: TanzHaus Moskvich (member of the network of dance houses founded by Bertram Müller) | Artistic Director & Ballet Teacher;

2018: Centro National de las Artes Mexico, School of Ballet Pedagogy under the patronage of the Mexican Ministry of Culture | School Administrator & Teacher;

2018-2022: "DanceHelp" (Moscow) Educational Outreach Platform | Head of the Classical Dance Department;

2020-2022: Boris Eifman Ballet Academy (Saint Petersburg) | Deputy Director for Development (worked on the monograph "Methods of Teaching Classical Dance: Russian Ballet School" and “Conception of the universal dancer”).

PUBLICATIONS, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, PARTNERSHIPS, ACCREDITATIONS

Author of 38 research works including three monographs: three training manuals, scholarly articles on choreographic education, education standardization issues, innovation in education, and “Ballet education: traditions, history, practice;”
Participated in research projects with Moscow State University, Derzhavin Tambov State University, Immanuel Kant Baltic National University;
Supervised research projects in the area of ballet pedagogy
Organized scientific and practical seminars and conferences for Russian universities;
Participated in international accreditations for educational ballet programs as an independent expert (Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Mexico);
Organized partnerships with the Royal Swedish Ballet School, the Ballet School at the Berlin Opera, the Ballet School Paris Opera, the Paris Conservatory, the National School Marseille Ballet, etc.

AWARDS & HONORS

Awarded "Best Ballet Expert” (2018) by the National Accreditation Agency of Russia
Recognized by RF Ministry of Education for the development of University Degree Programs in the area of culture and arts

FACULTY
UPPER DIVISION

INNA BAYER

EDUCATION

Master's Degree, Pedagogy with Honors, Bolshoi Ballet Academy

Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, Voronezh State Academy of Arts

_________

Founder, Artistic Director | Instructor

Inna Bayer is a master teacher of the Russian Vaganova Method of Classical Ballet and Character Dance with more than 13 years of experience as a professional dancer and 30 years of experience as a Ballet Mistress. Inna received a Master's Degree, with honors, in Pedagogy and Choreography from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy (Moscow State Academy of Choreography). Inna received her Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, from the Voronezh State Academy of Arts. During her artistic career, Inna toured in France, Spain, Germany, and Poland. She performed as a Classical Ballet soloist in Kiev (Ukraine). This impressive career both informs her artistic and technical expertise.

Inna began her teaching career at Bat-Dor dance school where she taught Classical and Character Dance in 1992. Later, she moved to the United States to teach Character Dance at San Francisco Ballet School. From 2000 until the summer of 2007 Inna was Ballet mistress at Westlake School for the Performing Arts (Daly City, CA). During her tenure there she prepared students for many performances including Nutcracker, competitions, and recitals. Her final year included students participating triumphantly in the Aberdeen International Youth Festival (Scotland).

In 2002, American Dance Awards named Inna the "Choreographer of the Year" and in 2016 Miss Bayer was awarded, "Outstanding Teacher" at the Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP) in San Francisco.

Inna founded Bayer Ballet Academy in 2005 out of a passion for teaching the art of ballet to future generations. The school has been named "Outstanding School" by YAGP for six consecutive years (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023). Her students have received top honors, including Grand Prix and first prize, at international and regional competitions such as Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), International Dance Challenge (IDC), World Ballet Competition (WBC) and American Dance Awards.

Bayer Ballet Academy students have been accepted into prestigious programs, including those of the Vaganova Ballet Academy, Paris Opera, American Ballet Theatre, Royal Ballet, Princess Grace Academy, and Bolshoi Ballet.

Inna's students from Israel and the United States have danced in European and American professional dance troupes such as: Mariinsky Ballet, Batsheva Dance Company (Israel), Ballet Israely (Israel), Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company (Israel), Scottish Ballet (Scotland), Compania Nacional de Danza (Nacho Duato Artistic Director), State Ballet of Georgia, Alberta Ballet (Canada), Inbal Pinto Dance Company, Austin Ballet, Boston Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Smuin Ballet, Eifman Ballet Saint Petersburg, Russia, Atlanta Ballet, Hrvatsko narodno kazalište HNK Split Balet / Croatian National Theater, State Ballet in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria and more.

TIIT HELIMETS

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts, Saint Mary's College

Master's Degree, Academy of Art University
Tallinn Ballet School

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Director | Male Dancer Program

Instructor | Classical

As a Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet, Tiit Helimets has danced major roles in Tomasson’s Giselle (Albrecht), Nutcracker (Grand Pas de Deux Prince), The Sleeping Beauty (Prince Desiré), and Swan Lake (Prince Siegfried and Von Rothbart); Tomasson / Possokhov’s Don Quixote (Basilio); Cranko’s Onegin (Gremin); Neumeier’s The Little Mermaid (Prince, Poet); Scarlett’s Frankenstein (Alphonse Frankenstein); and Wheeldon’s Cinderella (Prince Gillaume). He created principal roles in Caniparoli’s Doublestop, Ibsen’s House, and Tears; King’s The Collective Agreement; Liang’s The Infinite Ocean; Possokhov’s Swimmer (Humbert); and Wheeldon’s Ghosts.

His repertory also includes Ashton’s Symphonic Variations; Balanchine’s Agon, Apollo, Allegro Brillante, Diamonds, Divertimento No. 15, The Four Temperaments, Scotch Symphony, Serenade, Stravinsky Violin Concerto, and Symphony in C; Bintley’s The Dance House; Bubeníček’s Gentle Memories; Forsythe’s in the middle, somewhat elevated; Liang’s Symphonic Dances; Lifar’s Suite en Blanc; MacMillan’s Winter Dreams; van Manen’s Variations for Two Couples; McGregor’s Borderlands, Chroma, and Eden/Eden; Millepied’s The Chairman Dances—Quartet for Two; Nureyev’s Raymonda—Act III; Possokhov’s Firebird and Magrittomania; Ratmansky’s Russian Seasons, Seven Sonatas, and Shostakovich Trilogy; Robbins’ Glass Pieces and In the Night; Tomasson’s 7 for Eight, The Fifth Season, On a Theme of Paganini, Prism, and Trio; and Wheeldon’s Continuum.

Before joining San Francisco Ballet, Tiit was a Principal Dancer with Birmingham Royal
Ballet and the Estonian National Ballet. Tiit made history in Estonia by being the youngest male dancer ever to perform the role of Siegfried in Swan Lake.

In 2011 Tiit formed a touring company Helimets and Co, in 2012 he created a
dance/music installation at the de Young Museum, and in 2013 he produced Estonian National Ballet’s San Francisco tour. He received an Isadora Duncan Dance Award for Outstanding Performance for his 2015 performances of Giselle and the Award for Outstanding Performance in Estonia for guest appearances in The Sleeping Beauty and Romeo and Juliet.

OKSANA VASILEVA

EDUCATION

Master's Degree, Bolshoi Ballet Academy

Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, St. Petersburg, Certifications in the Elementary Level, Preparatory Process, Teacher Training, Preservation and Development of the Vaganova Method

Academy of Russian Ballet, St. Petersburg, Certification in the Junior & Middle Levels of the Vaganova Method

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Moscow Institute of Contemporary Art, Ballet Teacher & Choreographer

Ledyakh School of Classical Ballet,
Ballet Dancer

_________

Instructor | Classical

Oksana Vasileva graduated from the Ledyakh School of Classical Ballet in Moscow, where she earned her degree as a Ballet Dancer. From 1996-2008, she performed with the Moscow State Theater of Classical Choreography, performing a diverse classical ballet repertoire and contemporary works, including participation in the Stanton Welsh's production of "Green" (2000), alongside with the stars of Bolshoi Ballet Nina Ananiashvili, Sergey Filin, Dmitry Belogolovtsev.

In 2002 Oksana graduated with BFA from the Moscow Institute of Contemporary Art's as a
Ballet Teacher & Choreographer. In 2011 she trained at the Academy of Russian Ballet named after A. Y. Vaganova in St. Petersburg, earning certificate of "Training of the elementary level and the preparatory process of learning classical ballet", and in 2014 she attended teachers training program: "Preservation and development of the methodology of A. Y. Vaganova." Also, Oksana completed a two-year professional training at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, Bolshoi Ballet Academy, earning her Master's Degree in 2016. She continued her advance ballet teacher training in 2017 at the Academy of Russian Ballet in St. Petersburg in the program: "Preservation and development of methods of teaching classical ballet at junior and middle levels."

Oksana Vasilieva joins Bayer Ballet with extensive teaching and coaching experience in all levels from Junior through Pre-Professional. Ms. Oksana has conducted four State Graduation Exams (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018.) Her students successfully participated at prestigious Ballet Competitions, including 2nd Place at the International Competition "Dance Moscow"and 1st Place in Pas De Deux category at YAGP Paris. Ms. Oksana was recognized by The Russian Ministry of Culture State Commissioner for excellence in ballet education.

MAIIA MUSAEVA

EDUCATION

Master’s Degree,

Perm State Choreographic College (2013)

Bachelor’s Degree,

Moscow State Academy of Choreography (2011)

Training, Ulan-Ude School of Choreography

Teachers - N.A. Abykova and L.Sakhyanova

Instructor | Classical

Ms. Musaeva is a respected professor of classical ballet and an accomplished professional dancer. M. Musaeva's students are distinguished by their academic approach, purity of performance, and high technical level, which allow them to win prizes at international festivals and competitions:

PERFORMANCE CAREER

Buryat State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre
Kirov State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet (State Academic Mariinsky Theatre), where she performed leading roles of classical repertoire under the guidance of G. Komleva and S. Berezhny
"Festival of Terpsichore" International Competition: awarded the diploma of laureate of the second degree and Audience Award
Musa Jalil Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet.

Ms. Musaeva performed internationally, touring the following countries: Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, France, Spain, Portugal, Taiwan, China, Norway, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.

REPERTOIRE

“Swan Lake” - Odette and Odile, Pas de Trois, Big Swans;
“Don Quixote” - Kitri, Street Dancer, an inserted variation from Act III, Girlfriends;
“Sleeping beauty”- The Lilac Fairy, The Diamond Fairy; Princess Florine, Fairies from the Prologue;
“Giselle” - Myrtha, an inserted pas de deux, the two Willis;
“Le Corsaire” - Medora’s pas de deux, Gulnara’s pas d’Esclave, Trio;
“La Bayadère”- Gamzatti, Trio of Shades, Indian dance;
“Spartacus” - Aegina;
“Mowgli” - Bagheera;
“Walpurgis Night” - Bacchante, Nymphs;
“Pas de quatre” – Marie Taglioni, Carlotta Grisi;
Pas de deux - “Diana and Actaeon”;
Pas de deux - “La Esmeralda”, etc.

EDUCATOR

From 2010-2018, Ms. Musaeva worked as a classical dance instructor at the Kazan School of Choreography, following the A.Y. Vaganova System.

Since 2018 she has been working as a teacher of classical dance in Poland at the L. Różytski State Professional Ballet School (Ogólnokształcącą Szkołą Baletową im. L. Różyckiego w Bytomiu nauczyciel tanca klasycznego).

PUBLICATIONS & TECHNICAL PAPERS

Institute of Additional Professional Education (Professional Development) (2014)

Presented a paper on the topic "Current issues of improving the level of professional mastery of classical dance teachers and choreography concertmasters”

Perm State Choreography College (2014)

Presented the work "Methods and peculiarities of teaching special disciplines in primary and secondary school"

Institute of Additional Professional Education (Professional Development) (2015)

Presented a paper on "Methods of teaching classical dance"

Moscow State Academy of Choreography (Bolshoi) (2016)

Participant of educational and methodological events of "Moscow Ballet School in the regions of Russia"

Polish Ministry of Education

Created video materials on classical dance methodology "Teacher's Diary"

AWARDS & HONORS

Individual Award of the II degree for outstanding contribution to the development of creative education in Poland
"Festival of Terpsichore" International Competition: awarded the diploma of laureate of the second degree and Audience Award
Successfully prepared students for the International Festival of Professional Ballet Schools and the International Competition "Kazan Luchezarnaya", receiving the first-degree laureate diploma;
Student Successes: “ZŁOTE POINTY” (2019); Gdansk Ogólnopolski konkurs XXI (2019); “EUROPEAN BALLET GRAND PRIX” (2020); Gdansk Ogólnopolski konkurs XXII (2022)

Arsen Serobian was born in Armenia and trained at the Classical Dance School in Moscow, Russia as well as the Moscow Academy of Choreography (the Bolshoi). After graduation he moved to the United States, performing with companies including Indianapolis Ballet, State Street Ballet, San Francisco Dance Theatre, and Media City Ballet, and many more in roles for La Bayadere, Raymonda, Romeo and Juliet, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Le Corsair.

Arsen was awarded the prestigious 2004 Lester Horton Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Performance for his stunning portrayal of the leading role of Komitas in the Djanbazian Dance Company's critically acclaimed "Kroong Bnaver."

He has also earned a degree from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles as a professional actor and dancer, is a judge at the Youth Ballet Masters Competition, and works to prepare students for professional careers and competitions. Additionally, Arsen is the president and CEO of Dance Channel TV, Inc.

Instructor | Classical

ARSEN SEROBIAN

EDUCATION

Drama & Dance Pedagogy, Bolshoi Ballet Academy
Classical Dance School, Moscow

AA, Drama & Dramatics/Theatre Arts, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Los Angeles

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Stanislav Feco received his Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in Choreography from Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in St.Petersburg. During his rich career he has received numerous honors and awards: Philip Morris Flower Ballet Award, Best Dancer in Czech Republic, US Pushkin Legacy Ballet Award, Interpretation of Role Onegin⁣⁣. Mr. Feco is the Official Ballet Master, Anton Dolin's Foundation and Director and Co-Founder of Petipa Heritage Foundation.

Principal Dancer credits include: Prague National Theatre⁣⁣, St.Petersburg Russian Ballet⁣⁣, National Theatre in Brno⁣⁣. Guest Principal Dancer: Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires⁣⁣, Azerbaijan National Ballet⁣⁣, State Ballet in Kazan⁣⁣, and National Opera Donetsk⁣⁣.

⁣⁣

With Vasily Medvedev, Mr. Feco has served as a dancer, assistant and choreographer with the following companies: Bolshoi Ballet⁣⁣, Staatsballett Berlin⁣⁣, Lithuanian National Ballet⁣⁣, Compañía Nacional de Danza in Mexico⁣⁣, Czech National Ballet⁣⁣, Croatian National Ballet⁣⁣, Romanian National Opera⁣⁣, Slovak National Ballet⁣⁣, National Ballet of Panama⁣⁣, Macedonian National Ballet⁣⁣,

National Ballet of Bosnia and Herzegovina⁣⁣, ‪Great Theatre Lodz, Ekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theatre⁣, Vanemuine Ballet Estonia ⁣, and Perm Ballet.

⁣⁣

COLLABORATIONS with famous ballerinas ⁣⁣from major ballet companies include: G.Mezentseva ,Y.Makhalina,L.Kunakova,T.Terekhova ,S.Gumerova (Mariinsky Ballet), D.Klimentova, E.Glurdzhidze (English National Ballet), L.Lezhnina (Het National Ballet Amsterdam)⁣⁣, A.Volochkova (Bolshoi Ballet), N.Sologub (Semperoper Dresden), and J.Kurova ,H.Vlacilova⁣⁣ (Prague National Theatre).

Mr. Feco has participated at prestigious international ballet galas such as Gala des Etoiles in Montreal,Dance Open in St.Petersburg,Gala Due Mondi in Spoleto,World Ballet Stars in Seoul .World Ballet Festival in Kiev.

Instructor (remote) | Classical

STANISLAV FEČO

EDUCATION

Master of Arts & Bachelor of Arts, Choreography

Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, St. Petersburg

_________

Olga Voloboueva graduated from the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in 1989, class of Professor N. Kurgapkina, at which time she embarked on her professional career with the Kirov Ballet (Mariinsky Ballet). Her expansive performing career highlights include solo and principal roles and, full repertoire with the following ballet companies: Kirov Ballet / Mariinsky /, St. Petersburg; Colorado Ballet, USA; Royal Ballet of Flanders, Belgium; and Ballet Victor Ullate. Ms. Voloboueva performed as a guest artist with the following companies: San Francisco Opera Ballet, USA; Setsuko Itchikawa Ballet, Japan; and Arlington Ballet, USA. She also had the opportunity to tour England, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, USA, Japan, Korea, Scotland, Belgium, and France, to name a few.

Lead Soloist and Principal Roles

Mariinsky Theatre (Kirov Ballet) - soloist

La Bayadere - Nikiya, Gamzatti
Nutcracker - Masha
Giselle - Giselle
Swan Lake - Odetta, Odile
La Sylphide – Sylphide
Chopeniana (Les Sylphides) - Waltz, Mazurka
Stone Flower - Hostess of the Copper Mountain
Esmeralda – Pas de deux
Don Quixote – Pas de deux

Colorado Ballet:

Romeo and Juliet - Juliet
Sleeping Beauty - Princes Aurora
Esmeralda - Diana and Acteon - Pas de deux
Serenada - Dark Angel / Balanchine
Rubies - Soloist / Balancine
Western Symphony – Pas de deux
Stars and Stripes – Second Movement / Balanchine
Configurations / Choo San Goh
A Midsummer Night's Dream / Christopher Wheeldon
River / Alvin Ailey

Royal Ballet of Flanders:

Nutcracker – Clara
Sleeping Beauty
Giselle – Giselle, Mirta
La Bayadere - Nikiya, Gamzatti
Impressing The Czar / W.Forsythe
Ancient Air and Dances / R.Tanner
In The Middle / W.Forsythe
Swan Lake / J.Fabre
Encounters / C.Pastor
In The Night / J.Robbins

During her professional career Ms. Voloboueva has worked with : N. Kurgapkina, T. Terehova, N. Bolshakova, O. Vinogradov, M. Fredman, Poul Mejia, Robert Denvers, Christopher Wheeldon, Victoria Morgan, Victoria Simon,W.Forsythe, J.Fabre, E. Evteeva, M. Daukaev, I. Kolpakova, O. Vinogradov, Menia Martinez, Daniel Job, Christine Redpath. Partners included: Andris Liepa, Farukh. Ruzimatov, Makhar. Vaziev, Igor Zelensky, Alexsander Vetrov Wim Vanlessen, Melis Pakri, Priit Kripson, Stefan jon Wise and many others.

Olga danced in the film, "The Little Humpback Horse." She also participated in significant competitions and festivals, including the First International Dance Festival in Miami, USA; Dance Aspen Festival, Colorado, USA; Golden Ballet Stars Gala in Tokyo, Japan; Stars of the White Nights, Russia; Classical Ballet Festival named after Rudolf Nureyev, Russia; First Vaganova Ballet competition – diploma of the 1st degree, Russia; and In memory of Rudolf Nureyev Ballet competition – diploma, Hungary.

Ms. Voloboueva has served as an international guest teacher at Vaganova Ballet Academy, Ballet West - Scotland, Universal Ballet - South Korea, Yantra Ballet - Belgium, Ballet Ruso Barcelona.

Instructor (guest) | Classical

OLGA VOLOBOUEVA

EDUCATION

Teaching Diploma, Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, St. Petersburg

Teachers: N. Kurgapkina, N. Serebryannikov, B. Ratchinskay, M. Daukaev, I. Gensler, N. Yananis

_________

FACULTY
CONTEMPORARY

Erin (Armstrong) Micek has been instructing students of all ages in classical ballet for 12 years. She received her ballet training from Houston Ballet Academy under directors Clara Cravey and Steve Brule, Ballet Idaho Academy of Dance, and from renowned coaches such as Maria T. Vegh, former co-director of Harkness House in New York City. Erin has performed professionally with the Eugene Ballet Company/Ballet Idaho, Drop Dance Collective, the Margaret Wingrove Dance Company and multiple independent choreographers, performing various classical, contemporary and modern dance roles. Some of her former students have been accepted as students at prestigious schools throughout the country or moved on to professional careers of their own in ballet and modern companies. As she teaches and choreographs, Erin continues to work at instilling both the discipline and the love of the art of ballet into the lives of her students.

Instructor / Contemporary

ERIN (ARMSTRONG) MICEK

EDUCATION

Master's Degree, Language Interpretation & Translation, University of Texas

Bachelor's Degree, Political Economy, Spanish, College of Idaho

_________

Adji Cissoko was born and grew up in Munich, Germany where she trained at the Ballet Academy Munich and graduated with a diploma in dance. Cissoko attended the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre in New York City on full scholarship.

Cissoko joined the National Ballet of Canada in 2010. In 2012 she was awarded the Patron Award of Merit by the Patrons’ Council Committee of The National Ballet of Canada.

In 2014, Cissoko joined LINES Ballet, during which time she’s originated many central roles and guested for galas worldwide. Cissoko has given multiple masterclasses and taught classes around the world as part of the company’s outreach program.

In 2020 she became certified in health/life coaching as well as in ABT’s National Training Curriculum.

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WATCH VIDEO of Adji teaching at Bayer Ballet. Students learn contemporary phrases and improvisation, and explore personal interpretation of the movement and musicality. These skills are essential, as many professional companies require improvisation during auditions.

Instructor (guest) / Contemporary

ADJI CISSOKO

LINES Ballet

EDUCATION

Diploma, Dance, Ballet Academy Munich

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre, New York City

_________

Brady Farrar discovered his love of dance at the age of five. He trained at Stars Dance Studio and The Art of Classical Ballet.

He is a five-time YAGP Finals medalist and was the 2021 Grand Prix Winner of the North American Finals. Farrar is also a three-time Best Dancer Winner at The Dance Awards, the 2021 winner of the Carla Fracci Prize at Novara Dance Experience, Novara, Italy, and a double gold medal winner at the South African International Ballet Competition in 2020.

In November of 2021, Farrar performed in Twyla Tharp’s show Twyla Now at the New York City Center. He has also performed in international galas at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, as well as around the world in Germany, Italy, Israel, and Mexico.

Brady attended the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School in the 2022 spring semester under Cynthia Harvey’s direction and joined ABT Studio Company in September 2022 under the artistic direction of Sascha Radetsky. In ABT Studio Company, Farrar has created roles in ballets by Gemma Bond, Hope Boykin, and Aleisha Walker and has performed in ballets by Rena Butler and Emily Kikta. Farrar’s repertoire with ABT Studio Company also includes Paquita pas de deux, a Raymonda suite, Flames of Paris pas de deux, Daniel Ulbricht’s Tatum Pole Boogie, and George Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux. He has performed in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker with the Main Company of American Ballet Theatre.

Farrar has choreographed dances that have appeared in the YAGP in Tampa, Florida and at the Nervi International Dance Festival in Italy.

Choreographer Instructor (guest)

/ Contemporary

BRADY FARRAR

ABT Studio Company

EDUCATION

Stars Dance Studio

The Art of Classical Ballet

_________

FACULTY
PRE-BALLET DIVISION

Christina Kongaika's love for dance began at the age of three years old. She studied a wide array of dance styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, character, hip-hop, hula and Tahitia. At the age 9, she began studying the Vaganova method under Ms. Inna Bayer. In 2008, she graduated from Westlake School for the Performing Arts and Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA).

From an early age, Christina knew she wanted to be a dance teacher and began training for this career at age 12. In 2006, Christina served as a ballet, tap and hula teacher at Westlake School for the Performing Arts. In 2008, Christina joined Bayer Ballet as an instructor of classical ballet, where she is currently serving as Director of the Pre-Ballet Division. Christina is responsible for overseeing the department's curriculum, directing annual productions of Springtime Fairy Tale, and preparing students for community outreach performances and competitions. Christina's students have received top awards, including the Gold Award (Classical) from California Dance Classics & 3rd Place (Classical & Contemporary) at Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP).

Christina is certified to teach all levels of the Vaganova Method by the official Bolshoi Ballet Academy Teacher Certification Program.

Director & Instructor / Pre-Ballet

CHRISTINA KONGAIKA

EDUCATION

Teaching Certificate, All Levels
Teacher Certification Program,
Bolshoi Ballet Academy

Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA)

_________

Dawn Sue started her early ballet training with Irine Fokine in Ridgewood, NJ. She then went on to train at the Joffrey Ballet School in the trainee program. Following her studies in Government and Sociology at Cornell University, she trained at the Princeton Ballet School with Douglas Martin, Mary Barton and Kyra Nichols.

She was then invited to dance with the American Repertory Ballet in Princeton, NJ. Among her favorite ballets she performed with ARB, were Romeo and Juliet, Serenade, Paquita and Midsummer Night's Dream. Dawn started her teaching career at Princeton Dance and Theater under the ownership of Susan Jaffe (upon her retirement from ABT) and Risa Kaplowitz (of Houston, Dayton and Pennsylvania Ballet).

She has experience teaching all ages from 5 through adult and is passionate about instilling a love for the art form while developing the proper muscular development in ballet technique.

Instructor / Pre-Ballet

DAWN SUE

EDUCATION

Teaching Certificate, Pre-Ballet Certification & First Year Level 1 Certification, Bolshoi Ballet Academy

Irine Fokine

Joffrey Ballet School, Trainee Program

Princeton Ballet School

Cornell University, Government & Sociology

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Sasha Smirnova is an accomplished ballet teacher with an extensive background in both performance and education. With 15 years of teaching experience and 11 years as a performer in a prestigious dance company in Minsk, Belarus, Sasha brings a wealth of expertise and artistry. Her journey in the world of dance began when she was 6 years old in Minsk, Belarus, where she was born and raised. At the age of 13 she became a part of a dance group that performed in Belarus, Ukraine and Russia. In 2012, Aliaksandra graduated from the Belarusian State Pedagogical University with a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education. Seeking to deepen her knowledge and broaden her horizons, Sasha furthered her education in Moscow, where she obtained a Master's degree from a renowned Sport University. In 2016, she embarked on an exciting new chapter, relocating to San Jose, California, where she continued her teaching career in the Bay Area.

Sasha's diverse educational background and international experience have shaped her approach to teaching pre ballet. She seamlessly combines her deep understanding of technique, pedagogy, and artistic expression to provide her students with well-rounded and comprehensive training. Her classes are known for their precision, attention to detail, and nurturing environment that fosters growth and creativity. Sasha's dedication to her students' development and her passion for the art of ballet make her an exceptional mentor, guiding aspiring dancers on a path of excellence and self-discovery.

Sasha's wealth of teaching experience, combined with her international perspective, brings a unique and dynamic energy to our dance community. Through her expertise, guidance, and unwavering commitment, Sasha empowers her students to realize their full potential as dancers.

Instructor / Pre-Ballet

SASHA SMIRNOVA

EDUCATION

Master’s Degree, Physical Education,
Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth and Tourism (SCOLIPE)

Bachelor’s Degree, Physical Education,
Belarusian State Pedagogical University named after Maxim Tank

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Sydney Strong received her formal ballet training at Tarrant County College in Hurst, Texas under the direction of Dr. Kihyoung Choi. There she danced with Dr.Choi’s semi-professional company, Movers Unlimited Dance Company.

Miss Sydney apprenticed for Dallas Neoclassical Ballet (now American Neoclassical Ballet) for one season before deciding to further her dance education at The Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, where she graduated in 2020.

Post graduation, Miss Sydney joined San Jose Dance Theatre as a Trainee, during which time she had the opportunity to choreograph two short ballets as well as dance in soloist roles in their production of, “The Nutcracker.”

Instructor / Pre-Ballet

SYDNEY STRONG

EDUCATION

Teaching Certificate, Pre-Ballet Certification,
Bolshoi Ballet Academy

Joffrey Ballet School, New York City (2020)

Tarrant College, Hurst, TX

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Maya Ma is a Pre-Professional division dancer at Bayer Ballet Academy. She performed roles of Fireflies and Garden Enchantress in the ballet The Snow Queen, Violets and Fuchsia in The Rose and the Butterfly. She has participated in competitions, including YAGP San Francisco 2022 and California Dance Classics San Francisco 2022, where she received the Honorable Mention award in the classical category.

During the summer of 2022, Maya attended multiple coding courses and went to CVPR New Orleans for an educational meeting for computer vision where she met with college professors, PhD students, computer scientists and more.

Maya has gained a unique perspective on the value of arts education through her work as a teacher at Bayer Ballet. Her experience in ballet has taught her a lot about trust, passion, time management, and perseverance which helped her through academia and her personal life.

Prior to teaching her own classes, Maya served as an Assistant Teacher to the Director of Bayer Ballet's Pre-Ballet Division, during which time she discovered an interest in teaching and creating a safe and fun space for children to learn ballet and inspire them to follow their passion and grow.

Instructor / Pre-Ballet

MAYA MA

EDUCATION

Teaching Certificate, Pre-Ballet Certification, Bolshoi Ballet Academy

Bayer Ballet Academy, Pre-Professional Division

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Arielle Salhov is preparing for a professional dance career under the guidance of Inna Bayer, as a student of Bayer Ballet's Pre-Professional Day Program. She is completing her academic studies at Oasis High School.

Recently, Arielle performed in the prestigious Petipa Awards Gala with International Ballet Stars. She has danced lead roles, including Swanilda's Fiends in Vasily Medvedev's Coppelia Suite and Lead Deer in Bayer Ballet's Snow Queen. In 2023, Arielle was awarded Top 12 Classical at Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP).

Arielle is a brand ambassador for Metronome Dancewear and a sodancer for Só Dança USA.

Arielle loves teaching and is so happy to be on faculty this year.

Instructor / Pre-Ballet

ARIELLE SALHOV

EDUCATION

Bayer Ballet Academy, Pre-Professional Day Program

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Ananya received her formal Vaganova training from Bayer Ballet Academy since age 6. She performed lead roles of Magician and many other roles such as Watergirl, Lead Bunny, Fairy, and Bluebell in the ballet Springtime Fair Tale, and Snow Queen. She has participated in competitions, including YAGP San Francisco and California Dance Classics San Francisco, where she received awards in the classical and Contemporary categories.

Ananya has extensive training in a variety of disciplines like classical Indian dance Kuchipudi. Being part of the high school dance team allowed her to study new styles such as Jazz, Lyrical, hip-hop, and Contemporary.

Ananya is currently president of Stress-Free Teens, a non-profit organization advocating Teen Mental health. Ananya is very passionate about dance and teaching. In her own words, “ Dance has taught me everything in my life. Dance taught me not to quit, perseverance counts, Discipline matters, family support is essential, health is wealth, accept the fact that nothing and nobody is perfect.”

Before teaching her classes, Ananya served as an Assistant Teacher to Ms.Christina, Director of Bayer Ballet's Pre-Ballet Division. In Ananya’s classes, she uses positivity to create a fun, inclusive environment.

Instructor / Pre-Ballet

ANANYA TRIMULA

EDUCATION

Bayer Ballet Academy

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MUSIC

Vadim Rivkin was born in Leningrad (presently Saint Petersburg), Russia. He graduated from the Leningrad N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory with a degree in composition, and has been a member of the USSR Composer's Union since 1976.

Vadim has been teaching music for grades 1-5 in the Stratford School since his move to the United States in 2003.

Vadim Rivkin

Pianist

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts, Composition

Leningrad N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory

health & wellness

physical therapy
injury prevention

Dr. Lauren Mindel, DPT Born and raised in California, Lauren received her bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts from St. Mary’s College of California prior to earning her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from UC San Francisco and San Francisco State University. She is especially fond of utilizing the Sahmann approach and Functional Manual Therapy techniques she has learned through continuing education courses with the Institute of Physical Art.

Prior to becoming a physical therapist, Lauren danced professionally and taught dance to all ages. She has been recognized for her artistry and choreography, and she continues to teach and create.

Lauren Mindel
Doctor of Physical Therapy

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, Performing Arts, St. Mary's College
Doctorate, Physical Therapy, UC San Francisco
San Francisco State University
Continuing Education, Institute of Physical Art

master
classes

We are dedicated to providing year-round opportunities for emerging artists in our community to engage, educate and collaborate with world-renowned master artists.

PAST MASTER CLASSES

Yuri FATEEV, Dir. Mariinsky

Selyutsky Gennady NAUMOVICH, Ballet Master, Choreographer, Mariinsky

Margarita YUSIM, Bolshoi Ballet

Veronika PART, ABT

Alexei MOSKALENKO, Assist. Dir. YAGP

Misha TCHOUPAKOV, Assoc. Professor, UNCSA, YAGP Judge, Rehearsal Director, Judge

Karine PLANTADIT, Tony Award-nominee, former soloist, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, YAGP Judge

Adji CISSOKO, Lines Ballet

...and many more

upcoming master classes >