SUMMER WORKSHOPS 2026
June
Stretching and Conditioning with Elenina Nikolaou
Bayer Ballet Faculty
Former Soloist, Greek National Opera and Prague National Theater; Graduate of the Vaganova Ballet Academy
Ages 10–12 & 13+
June 1–26
Session 1A
Ages 10–12
June 1 – June 5
Time: 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Price: $375
2028 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View, CA
Session 1B
Ages 13+
June 1 – June 5
5:30 – 7:00 PM
Price: $375
2028 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View, CA
Session 2A
Ages 10–12
June 15 – June 19
4:00 – 5:30 PM
Price: $375
2028 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View, CA
Session 2B
Ages 13+
June 15 – June 19
5:30 – 7:00 PM
Price: $375
2028 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View, CA
Session 3A
Ages 10–12
June 22 – June 26
4:00 – 5:30 PM
Price: $375
2028 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View, CA
Session 3B
Ages 13+
June 22 – June 26
5:30 – 7:00 PM
Price: $375
2028 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View, CA
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Elenina Nikolaou
Education
Vaganova Ballet Academy, St. Petersburg – Dancer Training
Greek National Opera Dance School – Diploma in Ballet Pedagogy
Vaganova Ballet Academy – Teacher Retraining Program (Junior & Middle Levels)
Biography
Elenina Nikolaou is a classically trained ballet instructor with over 15 years of international teaching experience and a strong foundation in the Vaganova method. She trained at the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg and holds a diploma in Ballet Pedagogy from the Greek National Opera Dance School. In 2019, she completed the Teacher Retraining Program at the Vaganova Academy, specializing in junior and middle levels.
Ms. Nikolaou performed with the Greek National Opera, Prague National Theater, and Thessaly Ballet, dancing corps de ballet, solo, and principal roles in classical and contemporary repertoire. She has worked with renowned artists including Vladimir Vasiliev, Irek Mukhamedov, and Ray Barra. In 2003, she represented Greece at the Eurovision Grand Prix for Young Dancers, placing among the top ten, and is a recipient of the Onassis Foundation scholarship.
Her teaching spans pre-professional training, higher education, and international workshops. She has coached students for leading institutions such as the Royal Ballet School of Antwerp, Tallinn Ballet School, and Bavaria Ballet Academy, and has served as a jury member at international competitions.
Dedicated to the principles of classical ballet, Ms. Nikolaou brings a refined approach focused on technical precision, artistry, and professional development.
Workshop with Erica Fischbach
Director of Colorado Ballet Academy
Former Principal Dancer, American Ballet Theatre, and
Pacific Northwest Ballet; YAGP Judge
Ages 10–12 & 13+
June 6–8
Session 1
Ages 10–12
June 6 – June 8 (Sat, Sun, Mon)
Saturday 9:25 AM – 11:45 PM
Sunday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Monday 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Price: $300
2028 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View, CA
Session 2
Ages 13+
June 6 – June 8 (Sat, Sun, Mon)
Saturday 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Sunday 12:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Monday 6:15 PM – 8:15 PM
Price: $300
2028 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View, CA
Erica Fischbach
Education
University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) — Scholarship Training
Milwaukee Ballet — Scholarship Training
Kalamazoo Ballet Company — Early Training
Biography
Erica Fischbach is the Academy Director of Colorado Ballet Academy and a former professional dancer with a distinguished 20-year career at American Ballet Theatre and Pacific Northwest Ballet. She is certified in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum, as well as in Pilates and the Gyrotonic Method, and has taught at leading institutions including American Ballet Theatre, Indiana University, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Since joining Colorado Ballet Academy in 2016, Ms. Fischbach has helped transform the school into a nationally recognized training program. She has expanded both its faculty and pre-professional divisions, with an average of six graduates each year receiving contracts with Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company. Under her leadership, the Academy has been named Youth America Grand Prix “Outstanding School” annually and is now a designated partner school.
Ms. Fischbach is also known for her choreography and staging of full-length classical ballets for young dancers, including The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and Giselle, presented at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Her students have gone on to leading companies, top international schools, and collegiate programs across the country.
Workshop with Natalia Bashkatova
YAGP Assistant Director
Head of Scholarships Department and YAGP Judge
Former Principal Dancer, Bolshoi Theatre and Cirque du Soleil
Ages 10–12 & 13+
June 9–13
Session 1
Ages 10–12
June 9 – June 13 (Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat)
Tuesday 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Thursday 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Friday 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Price: $500
2028 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View, CA
Session 2
Ages 13+
June 9 – June 13 (Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat)
Tuesday 6:15 PM – 8:15 PM
Wednesday 6:15 PM – 8:15 PM
Thursday 6:15 PM – 8:15 PM
Friday 6:15 PM – 8:15 PM
Saturday 12:15 AM – 2:15 PM
Price: $500
2028 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View, CA
Natalia Bashkatova
Biography
Natalia Bashkatova trained at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy and, upon graduation, joined the Bolshoi Ballet, where she rose to the rank of Principal dancer, performing many leading classical roles. In 1992, she was named Best Ballerina at the Spoleto International Arts Festival in Italy.
After moving to the United States, Ms. Bashkatova became a Principal Ballerina with Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas, where she enjoyed a long and successful career. She later received her teaching degree from the Moscow State Academy of Choreography and brings her extensive classical and crossover experience to her work in the studio.