About
Our CONNECTIONS
Professionals in their related fields who have been instrumental in our road to identity.
Irina Kolpakova
The famous student of Agripina Vaganova
The famous disciple of Vaganova who is described as personifying the best features of the Leningrad (St. Petersburg) Classical School of Ballet was invited by one of her former dance partners, Mikhail Baryshnikov, to teach at American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in the 1980’s. She has nurtured several generations of dancers at ABT.
During our visit to New York we were able to arrange a meeting with Irina Kolpakova at the ABT studio where she has been training principle dancers for upcoming performances.
Irina Alexandrovna gratiously allowed us to observe her practice session with ABT principle Calvin Royal III and blessed our vision for bringing classical ballet to schools.
Here is the article that Elena wrote about this world renowned ballet artist and teacher: Vaganova and the Sacred Code of Dance: The Story of the Extraordinary Irina Kolpakova
Anna Korotysheva
Ballet Master, Choreographer
Anna Korotysheva, is a second generation ballet dancer who, following in the footsteps of her mom, studied at the world-renowned Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in St. Petersburg, graduating at the top of her class in 1987 and went on to experience a successful career as a member of the ballet company of the prestigious Mariinsky Theatre.
Today, Anna is a Ballet Mistress and Choreographer, passing on her treasured knowledge and experience to her students for whom she choreographs classical, modern and original productions.
Elizabeth Kaye
ABT Ballet Historian, Writer
Elizabeth Kaye is a New York Times best-selling author, dance writer and ballet historian who has lectured on dance, dancers, and ballet history at venues ranging from the Metropolitan Opera House and the Guggenheim Museum to the Kennedy Center, Segerstrom Center for the Arts and the Music Center in Los Angeles.
Elizabeth has collaborated with our organization on several projects including the Ballet & Identity talk series, which she conducted in August 2020 with Zippora Karz, a former soloist with the New York City Ballet and in September 2020 with Leslie Carothers, a former principal dancer with Joffrey Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet and former Director of the Colburn School of Performing Arts in Los Angeles.
George Birkadze
Black Belt Ballet Dancer
George Birkadze is an internationally respected ballet dancer and choreographer who brings grace and power to the stage with every move.
The same can be said of his second pursuit: mixed martial arts. With black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Judo and Kyokushin karate, Birkadze bridges the worlds of martial arts and ballet. Read our post “Black Belt Ballet Dancer“
In January, 2021 our organization hosted George Birkadze and his friends from the Boston Ballet to discuss the Ballet & Identity program for youth where both systems, classical ballet and martial arts, can be combined for the purpose of building a strong Identity. Read our post “Hello 2021! Ballet & Identity Beginnings with George Birkadze & Team”
Miriam Larici
Artistic Director of our Tango Productions
Trained in Ballet, Jazz, stage and social Argentine Tango. Miriam is famous as the iconic image of the Broadway-London hit “Forever Tango”. She has also performed on several Broadway musicals, among them, “42nd ST”, “Me & My Girl”, “Mambo Kings”, and others.
Miriam was a collaborator and artistic director of our autism awareness dance productions, “El Corazon del Tango” (2006), “Tango Adamor” (2008), and “Through the Heart of Tango” (2012)
Jessy Jean Bart
Champion Skateboarding Pro
Jessy Jean Bart is a Champion Skateboarding Pro who’s passion for his sport takes it to an art form. Jessy is equally passionate about education that empowers young people to find their way and realize their dreams.
Jessy has been teaching skateboarding in school systems for over a decade.
Jessy is invested in working with young people and be involved in the Ballet & Identity program, as this will give his students a performance edge and enable him to coach on a higher & more proactive level.
Gerson Sanginitto
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Master Instructor
Jiu-Jitsu black belt master instructor Gerson Sanginitto and founder of Gerson Sanginitto school of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu talks about the great value of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in identity formation.
in his interview with Lana “Turning Anger into Confidence.” he said:
BJJ translates completely to identity. People come here and they cannot look me in my eyes. And you can see that their self-esteem is very low because life is put them down somehow. I was just talking to one of my students who is a higher belt here. I remember him one year ago. He changed completely. You see how he’s acting now – he stands up, he looks into your eyes, he talks to you like a man, he demands respect, he gives respect. He’s not like that guy that he was a year ago who could not look into my eyes and looked to the side when I ask him a question.
George Birkadze, a black belt in BJJ and professional ballet dancer, states that ballet helps him to be better in martial arts. He believes that combining classical ballet and BJJ would greatly benefit our youth to form a strong Identity.