Founder & Artistic Director

Edward Ellison is the founder and artistic director of the Ellison Ballet - Professional Training Program in New York City.  As a dancer, teacher, ballet master, and coach, Mr. Ellison has traveled the world.  He has served as ballet master for Boston Ballet, Norwegian National Ballet, Alberta Ballet, and has taught for such companies as American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, and Houston Ballet. Mr. Ellison has also taught for the schools of San Francisco Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Boston Ballet, the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, several universities and colleges throughout the U.S., as well as Steps on Broadway.  Through his detailed technical and artistic influence, Mr. Ellison's students have been awarded numerous top prizes in international ballet competitions: Moscow IBC; USA (Jackson) IBC; Youth America Grand Prix; World Ballet Competition; and Tanzolymp-Berlin. Graduates of EB-PTP can be seen dancing for some of the most prestigious companies across the globe, and his school has received the YAGP Outstanding School and Outstanding Teacher Awards. Mr. Ellison has also been featured in articles in Dance Magazine, Pointe, and Dance Spirit.

Artistic Associate

Jason Ambrose began his studies at the Virginia Beach Ballet Academy and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School. He is an alumnus of the Ellison Ballet Professional Training Program where he was coached and mentored by master teacher Edward Ellison. Jason was personally invited by St. Petersburg Conservatory Dean and former Mariinsky (Kirov Ballet) Director, Oleg Vinogradov, to St. Petersburg, Russia as the first African American to study in their Ballet Masters and Choreographers Degree Program and to dance with the Ballet Theatre of the St. Petersburg Conservatoire. Jason is a highly sought after teacher, coach, and choreographer which has led him to teaching at numerous ballet schools and companies across the nation such as the San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, Tulsa Ballet and Oklahoma City Ballet. He was a coach to the 2020 Prix de Lausanne Second Prize Winner, he has received the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) and WBAC Grand Prix Outstanding Teacher Award, and has been featured in Pointe and Dance Magazine. Ambrose has served as Resident Choreographer for Ellison Ballet, NYC, Ballet Master and Associate Director at Elite Classical Coaching, and a judge and teacher for Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) and Japan Grand Prix. He was a Men’s Faculty member and the Children’s Division Principal at the San Francisco Ballet School from 2020-2023 where he taught Levels 1-8 and SFB Trainees. Mr. Ambrose is thrilled to join the faculty of Ellison Ballet and looks forward to the exciting future ahead.  

Born and raised in Vilnius, Lithuania, Ms. Valeikaite graduated with honors from the National Ballet Academy Vilnius (Vaganova-based). As a student, she received her first major break at the age of 18, debuting in the title role of “Giselle,” whereupon she was promoted to soloist in the Lithuanian National Ballet Company. In 1981, she received a full scholarship to study at the Bolshoi Theater with teachers M. Semionova, T. Vetrova, and B. Akimov. A principal dancer for 10 years with the company, her roles include “Giselle,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Swan Lake,” “Raymonda,” “Nutcracker,” "La Sylphide,” and “Coppelia”. Additionally, she appeared as a guest artist with V. Vasiliev—E. Maximova Company in the U.S.A., France, and at the celebration of the 50th Anniversary Gala of V. Vasiliev at the Bolshoi Theater and R. Page’s “The Nutcracker” in Chicago. In 1988, Ms. Valeikaite received prizes in the International Ballet Competitions in Moscow, Varna, and Paris. Upon moving to Germany in 1992, she became a principal dancer and Bonn Ballet and Essen Ballet. Her roles include: “Romeo and Juliet,” “Three Sisters,” “Cinderella,” “Hamlet”, choreographed by V. Panov & “Before Night Falls”, choreographed by Nils Christy, “Adagio Hammerklavier”  by Hans van Manen, “The Four Last Songs” by Rudi van Dantzig, “7 Symphony” by Toer van Schayk. In 2000 and 2001, Ms. Valeikaite worked as an assistant choreographer in the new production of S. Prokofiev’s “Classical Symphony” and “The Rite of Spring”, choreographed by X.Peng-Wang at the National Ballet Company Vilnius, Lithuania and Central Ballet Company in Beijing, China. In 2001, Ms. Valeikaite moved to the U.S.A. In 2003-2014, she taught at Ballet Arts in Worcester, MA and from 2007-2014, she was a ballet mistress and faculty member at the Festival Ballet Providence in Rhode Island. Since 2014, Ms. Valeikaite has been a faculty member at the Ellison Ballet.

Eva Janiszewski has had the honor to study with great classical artists throughout her career including Gelsey Kirkland, Elena Sherstneva, Vera Solovyeva, Nikolai Levitsky, Yekaterina Mikhailovtseva, Irina Kolpakova, and Lyubov Fominich. After graduating from the Gelsey Kirkland Academy, Ms. Janiszewski became Gelsey Kirkland’s first Principal Character Artist in her company, and performed leading roles in various ballets. In the following years, Ms. Janiszewski studied intensively in St. Petersburg Russia with Yekaterina Mikhailovtseva, while taking class with the Yacobson Ballet. She then went on to freelance and perform with several companies, including a guest performance with Open World Dance Foundation, where she danced the Character Mazurka in Misty Copeland’s premiere of Cinderella. Eva Janiszewski has taught at numerous schools in the United States as full time faculty as well as summer faculty, including Gelsey Kirkland Ballet, The Hartt School, Joffrey Ballet Character Program, and Forrest Academy of Ballet New York. In 2016, Ms. Janiszewski started Eva Janiszewski Ballet, a school in NYC for young gifted artists. Her students have since won the gold medal and Jury distinction awards in the solo and ensemble categories at several competitions in the United States. In 2023, Ms. Janiszewski received the Outstanding Teacher award from both Youth America Grand Prix and National Ballet Competition, in addition to the Outstanding School award from NBC. Ms. Janiszewski is thrilled to be a part of the Ellison Ballet Summer Intensive Faculty.

Gaiane Akopian graduated from the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St,Petersburg, Russia and the Yerevan State Choreographic College, where she had the privilege to study under the two ballet legends, A. Vaganova’s former students F. Balabina, and N. Dudinskaya. Ms. Akopian has been on faculty at the Ellison Ballet Summer Intensive, Joffrey Ballet School Trainee Program, Joffrey Ballet School Summer Intensive, and Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers in NYC. She has choreographed and prepared students for competitions as well as staged numerous ballet performances. Gaiane performed around the world and has been recognized by critics worldwide. She danced in numerous classical and contemporary ballets and performed as principal dancer with the Armenian National Ballet Theater, Thuringian State Ballet, Germany and GR Ballet Company. Some of her leading roles include Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Giselle, Carmen, The Nutcracker, La Fille Mal Gardee, Cinderella, Firebird, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Wolfe, Ara Beautiful, Scheherazade, Eugene Onegin, Enigma, CanCan, Les Liasons Dangereuses, and various Balanchine pieces. She was acknowledged by the critics of the Ballet International Tanz Aktuell European magazine as one of Germany’s best dancers, in 1995, and won the Grand-Prix as the dancer of the year in 1997. In 2002, Ms. Akopian was praised in the Musis Sacrum book titled “100 Years Theaterhaus Gera”, (Germany). In 2006, she appeared in “Amazing Women of West Michigan” book among the most influential women of the West Michigan community. She worked with figure skaters in Patterson Ice Center, Greater Grand Rapids Figure Skating Club, MI - registered with the United Skates Figure Association. Ms. Akopian worked as a Founder Artistic Director, and Board Of Directors member of Michigan Ballet Academy. Ms. Akopian is very committed to excellence, likes to share her rich stage experience and feels very proud of her students who perform professionally in various ballet companies after studying under her guidance. 

A former principal dancer of American Ballet Theatre, Irina Dvorovenko was born in Kiev, Ukraine, and began her ballet training at the Kiev Ballet School at the age of ten. She joined the National Opera Ballet of Kiev in 1990 as a soloist, rising to the rank of principal dancer in 1992. Notable awards include the 1994 Grand Prix at the International Ballet Competition Serge Lifar in the Ukraine, the 1992 Gold Medal and “Anna Pavlova” Prize at the International Ballet Competition in Moscow, the 1991 Bronze Medal at the International Ballet Competition in Osaka, Japan, and the 1990 Silver Medal at the International Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. Joining American Ballet Theatre in 1996, Ms. Dvorovenko was made a soloist in 1997 and was appointed principal dancer in 2000. Her diverse repertoire with ABT includes her commanding portrayal of both Nikya and Gamzatti in La Bayadère; Cinderella in Ben Stevenson’s production; Kitri, the Queen of the Driads and Mercedes in Don Quixote; the Lilac Fairy and Princess Florine in The Sleeping Beauty; Odette-Odile in Swan Lake; Giselle and Myrta in Giselle; Juliet in Romeo and Juliet; Marguerite in “Lady of the Camellias,” Tatiana in Onegin; the title roles in Raymonda; Swanilde in Coppélia; the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker; Medora in Le Corsaire; and many more. She has danced with the Finnish Ballet, the Australian Ballet, the New York City Opera Ballet, the Rome Opera Ballet, Verona Ballet, the Universal Ballet, and with the Stars of the Bolshoi Ballet. She has also appeared in various videos and television specials, including the PBS broadcast of the opening of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. She has been featured on the cover of Dance Magazine, Pointe, Japan Dance Magazine (twice), New York Dance Fax (three times), as well as in People, Russian Dance Magazine, Dancing Times, Good Housekeeping, Bazaar, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Gotham, Jane, Elle, Russian Vogue, Town and Country, Time Out and Talk. In the spring of 2013, Ms. Dvorovenko retired from the ABT stage and simultaneously made her stunning musical theatre debut as Vera Baronova in the New York City Center Encores! production of Rodgers & Hart’s “On Your Toes,” garnering outstanding reviews. Following this triumph, Ms. Dvorovenko was invited to join the leading cast of the Starz network original television drama “Flesh and Bone,” which aired in November 2015. She also made guest appearances on “Forever” (ABC, 2015) and “The Blacklist” (NBC, 2016). She appeared in 4 episodes of the Starz series “Power” during the 2016-2017 season, and in 9 episodes of the FX series “The Americans” during the 2017 season. In 2018 she starred in both the New York City Center Encores! production of “Grand Hotel,” and as the lead May Bartram in the Vineyard Theatre production of Susan Stroman’s “The Beast in the Jungle.” Irina and her husband have been privately coaching a number of major dancers, including Skylar Brandt, Christine Shevchenko, Catherine Hurlin and Calvin Royal, among others, and continue to be in great demand for their superior skill and experience.

Mr. Akopian is a graduate from the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia and the Yerevan State Choreographic College. He had the privilege to study under two of A.Vaganova’s former students: the ballet legends F.Balabina, and N.Dudinskaya.  Mr. Akopian also had the privilege to study under K. Sergeyev, W. Zimin, N. Serebryanikov and N. Mehrabyan. Upon graduation from the Vaganova Academy, he became a leading dancer in the Armenian National Theater Opera and Ballet in Yerevan.  In 1991, he danced with classic ballet de Montreal.  In 1993, he was invited to Germany to join the Thuringian State Ballet.  For the following seven years, he became one of the most acclaimed principal dancers of the company.  Mr. Akopian received the best dancer of the year award in 1997 and 1999, was praised in many European magazines, and in a book entitled Musis-Sacrum published in Germany. In 2000, Mr. Akopian danced with Ballet New York.  In 2001, he was invited to join GRBC and for his work there he was recognized in many ballet magazines and other media sources. As a guest artist, Mr. Akopian has danced in numerous international galas around the world.  He has had the opportunity to work with numerous ballet masters and choreographers including Dietmar Seyffert, Ludmilla Sakharova, Anahit Grigorian, Vilen Galstyan, Martin Wennde, Peter Martins, Judith Fugate and Nina Strogonova.  The leading roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet, Carmen, The Nutcracker, Eugene Onegin, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty, La Fille Mal Gardee, Firebird, Scheherazade, Paquita, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Enigma, Antuny, Wolfe, Ara Beautiful, Cinderella, and various Balanchine pieces were among the roles Mr. Akopian danced throughout his career. Since 2004, Mr. Akopian has choreographed a variety of original pieces for professional dancers and companies. Two of Mr. Akopian’s ballets that are cherished by audience are his full-length Nutcracker and his original full-length ballet, The Jungle Book - Mowgli. In 2014, Mr. Akopian choreographed two original ensemble pieces for the Youth American Grand Prix: “Time" and “Russian Milk Maids”, placed third and in the top twelve. Both pieces were praised by the judges for creativity, choreography, presentation, beautiful technique and were selected to finals in New York City.  He is on Faculty at Joffrey Ballet School Trainee program NYC & JBS Master Trainee program, Faculty and choreographer at Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet NYC. In March 2016, he saw the world premiere of the full-length “Stealing Time” with choreography by Akop Akopian and Michael Chernov, with GK Ballet Company in NY. He is a master teacher for ladies and Men’s classes, variations, pointe & pas de deux classes. Mr. Akopian worked as a Founder Artistic Director and Board of Directors member of Michigan Ballet Academy. He is very committed to excellence, likes to share his rich stage experience and feels very proud of his students who perform professionally in various ballet companies after studying under his guidance.

With more than 25 years of experience in professional ballet education, Nadia Pavlenko is an accomplished Artistic Director, ballet pedagogue, and choreographer with an international career dedicated to classical excellence and dancer development. Trained at the prestigious Vaganova Ballet Academy in Saint Petersburg and later at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory in Ballet Pedagogy, her foundation is firmly rooted in the Russian classical tradition. Through decades of teaching, directing, and mentorship, Nadia Pavlenko has built a legacy centered on artistic excellence, technical precision, and the holistic development of dancers prepared for professional careers in ballet. Ms. Pavlenko served as Principal of the Ballet West Academy in Salt Lake City and was the Artistic Director of International Ballet Academy in Cary, North Carolina. Ms. Pavlenko received the Outstanding Teacher Award from YAGP in 2015, 2017, 2023 and the ADC IBC Outstanding Teacher Award in 2018. Under her direction, International Ballet Academy was recognized as YAGP Outstanding School in 2018-2022, 2024 and 2025 and as ADC IBC Outstanding School Award in 2017, 2019-2024. Ms. Pavlenko’s students are currently dancing in professional companies and schools throughout the United States and Europe. Ms Pavlenko is joining School of Philadelphia Ballet as Principal Faculty and Repetiteur. 

Yasmine Litachevsky completed her classical ballet training in Saint Petersburg, Russia under Ekaterina Schelkanova and Anton Boytsov. Yasmine also trained with numerous world renowned dancers including Ulyana Lopatkina, Evgenia Obraztsova, Elena Bazhenova, Anatoly Sidorov and Aleksandr Stepin. During her time in Russia, she performed classical and character roles at the famous Hermitage Theater. After graduating from The Open World Dance Foundation Elite Training, Yasmine returned to the United States to perform, teach and choreograph. Yasmine also studies and performs acting for the stage and film in New York City. Yasmine has a passion for sharing her knowledge of the Vaganova method and is excited to teach at Ellison Ballet this summer.

Ms. Verduzco is a freelance ballet and contemporary dancer and choreographer born in Mexico and residing in NYC since 1997. She danced featured roles with companies including Ballet Austin (as a student), New York City Opera, Benjamin Briones Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet, Staten Island Ballet, Ajkun Ballet Theatre, Connecticut Ballet, Some Dance Company, Veracity Dance Theatre, New York Dance Theatre, Dance Theatre in Westchester, Ad Hoc Ballet, Ballet Neo, and Designated Movement Company among others, performing in classical and contemporary repertoire. She was honored to appear in Dance Magazine as one of the dancers highlighted in their July 2010 issue, “Race & The Next Generation.” As a choreographer she has created several commissioned works throughout the years for Ellison Ballet, Youth America Grand Prix, Benjamin Briones Ballet, Staten Island Ballet, Nomad Contemporary Ballet, Periapsis Music and Dance, Neville Dance Theatre, Columbia Ballet Collaborative, CounterPointe as well as for the Cuban dance company Danza Libre. She created original work for the UK film company "More than a Londoner's" short film project. In 2018, she was commissioned to create a piece for the 28th Anniversary of Cuban company Danza Libre and was invited to participate at the Grand Prix Vladimir Malakhov in Holguin Cuba with it. She was commissioned a second time to create an original work for Danza Libre in 2020 to be premiered at their 30th Anniversary Gala. She is the Founder and Director of The Latin Choreographers Festival, an initiative that was born to support the work, vision, and background of Latin choreographers that reside anywhere in the world and had a successful run from 2008 to 2012, celebrating its 5th Anniversary.

Bo Kyung Lee is a New York-based choreographer, dancer, and artistic director of BK Dance Project. She received her Ph. D. from the Department of Living Dance and Performing Arts at Hanyang University in South Korea in 2011, where her research centered on contemporary movement practices and performance methodologies. Her choreographic work has been presented extensively across the United States, Europe, and Asia, including at institutions and festivals such as the Queens Museum, 92Y Dig Dance Series, WestFest Dance Festival, The Bang Group’s All of Seoul, Seattle International Dance Festival, Water Festival for Contemporary Arts (Bulgaria), Festival S.O.U.M (Paris), Printemps Coreen (Nantes), TANSSIN LUMOA International GALA (Helsinki), Fukuoka Fringe Dance Festival, Seoul International Choreography Festival, and MONOTANZ Seoul. Her work has also received numerous invitations from acclaimed international choreography and dance festivals, reflecting the global reach and resonance of her artistic practice. Lee is the recipient of multiple awards, including the Gold medal from Contemporary Dance Association of Korea (2002), the Presidential Prize at the 7th Nagano International Performance Competition in Japan (2005), The Best Dancer Prize (2007) and Best Repertory Prize (2009) from Performing Arts&Film Reviews (PAF), the Dance Vision- New Dancer Award from the Modern Dance Promotion of Korea(2011), and Frist Prize at the International Choreography competition for the Mature Contemporary Dance Soloist in Mexico City (2018). Her teaching career spans a wide range of educational settings, including Jeonju Fine Arts High School, Korea Art High School, Hanyang University, Ithaca College, Peridance Center, and multiple youth and community programs in both the United States and abroad. She has also led workshops at Rutgers University, Queens Museum, and youth arts organizations in Bulgaria, among others. She teaches all levels of contemporary dance, including absolutely beginneradvanced beginner level (Open classes) and intermediate- advanced level (Certificate Program). She currently serves as a full-time faculty member at Peridance Center. Lee’s pedagogical approach emphasizes technical clarity, somatic awareness, spatial intelligence, and the development of expressive and sustainable movement practices. In addition to her stage work, Lee has contributed to dance film as a movement director and choreographer for TheRiver, directed by Yiran Shu(NYU), and SUPERNOVA, directed by Carolyn Beyer(Pratt Institute). These collaborations extend her research into embodied narrative and physical dramaturgy within cinematic contexts. Through BK Dance Project, Lee continues to develop repertory, strengthens educational initiatives, and leads interdisciplinary collaborations that support emerging artists and elevate contemporary dance within both academic and professional spheres.

Alexander Anderson (@zanderander) is a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and stager based in New York City. Originally from South Florida, he graduated from the Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts in 2010. He was then accepted into The Juilliard School where he graduated with a BFA in 2014. During his time at Juilliard, Alexander performed works by renowned choreographers such as Nacho Duato, William Forsythe, Pina Bausch, and Jirí Kylián. His early choreographic creations earned him selections for “Choreographic Honors” at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater. He was also honored with the 2012 Dizzy Feet Foundation Scholarship Award and the 2013 Princess Grace Foundation Scholarship Award. Post-graduation, Alexander joined Nederlands Dans Theater 2, progressing to the esteemed Nederlands Dans Theater 1 in 2017. His standout performance in Crystal Pite’s “Solo Echo” garnered critical acclaim, earning him Dance Europe Magazine’s critic’s choice for 'Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer' in 2019. In 2020, Alexander became an Artistic Associate at Gibney Company, where he was later named the Inaugural Choreographic Fellow, premiering a new work in the “Gibney Fellow” program in 2022. Alexander's passion for dance extends beyond performance. In March 2024, Alexander self-produced his show “Falling Elsewhere” in New York City. He also appears in the Paramount feature film “Smile 2”. As a stager, he has staged Edward Clug and Marco Goecke’s productions, including Goecke's critically acclaimed “Midnight Raga,” which won the Gouden Zwaan for the most impressive dance production in 2017. Residing in New York City, Alexander has served on the faculties of the Ailey Fordham BFA (Professional Division), Peridance, Steps On Broadway, Gibney Dance, School of American Ballet (SAB), and ABT’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. He has received choreographic commissions from Ballet Austin II, Peridance (Youth Ensemble), Houston Contemporary Dance Company, Buglisi Dance Theater, SFDanceworks, The Ailey/Fordham BFA Program, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (Create Summer Intensive), Owen/Cox Dance Group, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Springboard Danse, The Juilliard School Summer Intensive.

Jerimy Rivera: A native New Yorker, where his roots in various dance styles have made him quite a versatile performer. Jerimy began intense training as a gymnast at the age of 7 with goals of reaching the Olympics. At the age of 9, Jerimy auditioned and was accepted into The School of American Ballet to further his gymnastics skills, where he began his training with Olga Kostritzky and Jock Soto. Around the age of 13, performance opportunities with New York City Ballet in productions such as ‘The Nutcracker’ in the role of Nutcracker Prince, ‘Swan Lake’, and ‘Harlequinade’ eventually lured him to leave gymnastics to focus solely on dance. He continued to perform young dancer roles in The Royal Ballet’s production of ‘Cinderella’ and The Bolshoi Ballet’s ‘Pharaoh’s Daughter’. While training in ballet, Jerimy widened his training at The School at Steps on Broadway, studying musical theatre, jazz, hip-hop, and modern. As a teenager, Jerimy studied intensely for two years at the JKO School of American Ballet under the likes of Franco Devita and Raymond Lukens; he then continued on to train with Francois Perron, Nadege Hottier, and Marina Stavitskaya at Manhattan Youth Ballet as a member of the junior company. Jerimy additionally studied as a fellowship student at The Ailey School. In 2012, Jerimy toured Europe with the International Tour of West Side Story the musical. In 2013 he then joined Les Grands Ballet Canadiens where he dance for five seasons. Les Grands Ballet Canadiens granted Jerimy with many performance opportunities, to name a few, Mercutio in ‘Romeo and Julliet’, Valerio ‘Leonce et Lena, Man of Desire ‘Death of The Maiden’. Jerimy most recently dance for Rubberband Dance Group, a contemporary dance company out of Montréal Canada and Parsons Dance, a modern dance company in NYC. Most recently, Jerimy has worked with Camille A. Brown & Dancers, NVA & Guests, Dual Rivet,  and has multiple principle roles with The Metropolitan Opera. He is co-director/co-choreographer of Tethered Residents Theater alongside Taylor Graham, and together they have been awarded The MAP Grant Fund along with commissions from Boston Dance Theater and multiple teaching residencies throughout NYC.

Amélie Bénard is a French-born dance educator and performer currently serving as the Young Artists Program Director for the Martha Graham School, where she oversees the youth program for ages 4–18. A faculty member at the Martha Graham School since 2009, she also serves on the faculties of Ballet Hispánico and the Joffrey Ballet School, bringing over 17 years of experience sharing her passion for the Martha Graham Technique™ with students of all ages and levels. Amélie began her training at the Centre International de Danse Jazz Rick Odums in Paris. In 2006, she received a scholarship to the Martha Graham School, joining Graham II in 2007 under Virginie Mécène. She has performed with Caliince Dance and the Edgar Cortes Dance Theater, dancing works by Pearl Lang, Robert Battle, Peggy Lyman, and Carrie Ellmore-Tallitsch, among others. After earning her certification as a Teacher of the Martha Graham Technique™ in 2009, she began teaching technique, repertory, and creative workshops, and has been restaging Martha Graham’s Panorama for the All-City Panorama project since 2010.

Sofia Ioffe is a master dance instructor, choreographer, and cultural ambassador with over 35 years of experience rooted in the world-renowned Russian ballet tradition. A graduate of St. Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts, she led the award-winning youth ensemble “Young Leningrader” for more than two decades and was honored with the title of Distinguished Cultural Worker of Russia. Since moving to New York, she has brought her expertise to the American dance community, teaching Vaganova-based ballet and character dance across Brooklyn and Staten Island, including at Brighton Ballet Theater. She serves as a bridge between classical Russian technique and American performing arts, inspiring students of all ages with discipline, musicality, and deep artistic insight.

Vladimir Dvorovenko graduated from the Kiev State Ballet School and State University of Art, where he went on to perform as Principal dancer and traveled extensively with Virsky Ukrainian State Dance Company, as well is Veriovka Ukrainian National Dance Company and Yatran Ukrainiant National Dance Company. Vladimir Dvorovenko was Director and Choreographer of Ukraine’s Shumka Ballet Academy for Children as well as Ballet Master for Star of the Ukrainian Circus. He has taught at the ABT Summer Intensive and teaches now at the Alvin Ailey School.

Elizabeth A. Sullivan was a professional ballerina with the Cleveland/San Jose and Boston Ballet companies. After earning a BA at Dartmouth College and an MA at Columbia University, Elizabeth returned to dance in her current capacity as a wellness coach, consultant, and teacher. Since 2011, she has taught workshops and seminars in the School of American Ballet, The Juilliard School, Ellison Ballet, the Boston Ballet School, Cary Ballet, Greenwich Ballet Academy, and the Kansas City Ballet School, among others. Elizabeth coaches young dancers and their parents in her private practice, helping them navigate the ins and outs of the dance world. Her dancers have trained at elite schools like the Royal Ballet and the English National Ballet Schools in London, San Francisco Ballet School, School of American Ballet, and the JKO School at American Ballet Theatre; they have won medals at Youth America Grand Prix, Prix de Lausanne, been invited to compete at IBC Jackson and Varna, and received job offers from major world companies like American Ballet Theatre, the English National Ballet, and Dutch National Ballet. She is a certified Wellness Coach through the American College of Sports Medicine and Wellcoaches School of Coaching, as well as the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC. For consultations or to enroll in her group or private coaching programs, please visit easullivan.com/discovery-session/