Trained at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy under Professor Alexander Bondarenko and influenced by his early studies at the Moiseyev Dance School in Moscow, Mr. Serobian brings to his teaching a rare blend of refined classical precision, musical intelligence, and dramatic expression. After moving to the United States in 1997, he continued to perform and teach, later earning a degree in Computer Science and graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles — a combination that deepened his understanding of both discipline and creativity on stage. He is also a recipient of the Horton Award in Los Angeles, recognizing his outstanding contributions to dance performance and education. More

Oksana Vasilieva is an internationally respected ballet educator and coach whose career reflects the artistry, discipline, and refinement of Moscow’s classical tradition. As Founder and Artistic Director of the Universal Conservatory of Ballet (UCOFB) in Sacramento, California, she is dedicated to providing authentic Vaganova-based training that blends precision, musicality, and mindful body mechanics.

Born and raised in Moscow, Ms. Vasilieva graduated from the Ledyakh School of Classical Ballet in 1996 and earned her degree in Pedagogy and Choreography from the Moscow Institute of Contemporary Art. For more than a decade, she performed with the Moscow State Theatre of Classical Choreography, dancing both classical and contemporary repertoire, including Stanton Welch’s Green (2000) alongside Bolshoi Ballet stars Nina Ananiashvili, Sergey Filin, and Dmitry Belogolovtsev. More

Ivan Semirechensky is a former Bolshoi Theatre artist and international ballet consultant. As Director of International Programs & Artist Placement at Universal Conservatory of Ballet, he leads global partnerships, professional dancer placement, and overseas development, connecting elite training with international career opportunities. More

Dacia Biletnikoff holds a BFA from London Contemporary Dance School, where she trained under distinguished faculty affiliated with Batsheva Dance Company, Nederlands Dans Theater, Random Dance Company, and DV8 Physical Theatre. She furthered her artistic development in choreography and improvisation at Leggere Strutture in Italy, working alongside members of the William Forsythe Company and Ultima Vez/Wim Vandekeybus. Her performance career has taken her across Europe, including a touring period with CaraBdanza in Spain, solo performances in the United States with Capacitor and Two Point Four Dance Theatre, and ongoing freelance dance and teaching engagements as a contemporary artist internationally.

In addition to her performance work, Dacia holds an MS in Sports Psychology and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, reflecting her deep commitment to the holistic development and long-term wellbeing of young artists.
As a faculty member and choreographer with seven years of pre-professional training experience, Dacia has established a distinguished record of student achievement. Her students have earned multiple first-place placements in the Senior Contemporary category at both the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) and California Dance Classics, and she was honored with the Outstanding Faculty Award at YAGP 2025. Her alumni have been accepted to and are currently attending some of the nation’s most prestigious dance and performing arts conservatories, including The Juilliard School, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, Boston Conservatory, the University of Utah, and UC Irvine.

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Ekaterina Shchelkanova (Chtchelkanova) received her dance training at the Vaganova Academy. While still a student, she was already dancing many advanced roles like “Masha” in the Kirov’s production of The Nutcracker. Upon graduation, she joined the Kirov Ballet (now the Mariinsky Theatre) as a soloist, where she danced a variety of leading roles in major classical ballets. Recognized for her airy and darting speed, she was the first Russian ballerina to dance George Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux on the stage at the Mariinsky Theatre while still a student of Vaganova Academy.

Ms. Shchelkanova joined American Ballet Theatre in 1995, and as a soloist with the Company, she excelled in a variety of soloist and principal roles, showcasing her polished elegance and strong technique embellished with a sparkling stage personality. Dancing in the extensive ABT repertoire she enjoyed stage partnerships with such famous ballet luminaries as Julio Bocca, Susan Jaffe, Amanda McKerrow, John Gardner, Julie Kent, Ethan Steifel and Angel Corella.

Ms. Shchelkanova’s versatility, strong classical training and technical skill in classical and contemporary dance allowed her to work closely with legendary Twyla Tharp, Sallie Wilson, John Neumeier, Frederik Franklin, and Mark Morris. In addition, Ms. Shchelkanova appeared in numerous ballet class videos and in several ballet books. Her amazing training and pure classical line were noticed by such masters as Gelsey Kirkland, Natalia Makarova, and Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Anton Boytsov was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. At the age of 10, Mr. Boytsov was accepted to Vaganova Academy of St. Petersburg, Russia. Mr. Boytsov started his education under the masterful guidelines of famous Russian dancer and teacher, Vladilen Semenov.Professor of dance, Mr. Semenov was known as a “Danseur Noble” whose academism brought him worldwide fame. He shared every bit of his knowledge of classical ballet and style with his students, including Mr. Boytsov. While still a student, Mr. Boytsov danced featured roles in The Nutcracker. After graduating from Vaganova Academy, Mr. Boytsov was invited to join Kirov Ballet (now Mariinsky Theatre) and was recognized for his extraordinary partnering skills, grand and light jump, and pure Semenov style. Anton’s elegance and musicality combined with his strong stage presence gained him the reputation of a great and reliable dancer not only among his dancer colleagues but also among young, aspiring choreographers. Mr. Boytsov was chosen to be a part of many new projects like “The Nutcracker” by Mikhail Shemyakin, “Humpback Horse” and “Cinderella” by Alexey Ratmansky, “The Rites of Spring” by Eugine Panfilov, “Coppelia” by Oleg Vinogradov and more. Mr. Boytsov’s favorite roles include Young Man in “Les Sylphides”, Rothbart in “Swan Lake”, Panaderos in “Raymonda”, Slave in “La Bayadere”, Vakh in “Walpurgis Night” and Ferkhad in “Legend of Love”. Anton’s great partnering skills and perfect “stage manners” made him popular among leading ballerinas of the company and, he enjoyed stage partnerships with such stars like Uliana Lopatkina, Olga Chenchikova, Svetlana Zakharova, Yulia Makhalina, Altinai Asilmuratova, and many others. Mr. Boytsov was given great opportunities to learn and perform the choreography of unforgettable Roland Petit in “Carmen,” great Sir MacMillan’s “Manon,” amazing Jerome Robbins’ “Leaves are Fading,” and genius George Balanchine’s “Diamonds”.

During his years with the Mariinsky Theatre, Mr. Boytsov performed on many most important stages of the world. He traveled to the US, Canada, Central, and South America, Australia and Europe. While still a performing member of the Mariinsky company, Mr. Boytsov was invited to work with the Olympic skating team of Russia. He coached Evgeniy Pluschenko for the Olympic program that brought him a gold medal at the 2006 Olympic games in Turin, Italy.

In 2011, Mr. Boytsov organized and helped to host JKO School of American Ballet Theatre first teacher’s training course in St. Petersburg, Russia. This international event opened doors to teachers and ballet students of America and Russia to fruitful collaborations through projects connecting the ballet communities of America, Russia, and other countries. In 2013-14, Mr. Boytsov worked with Ballet Theatre Houston and Robert Underwood’s Studio of Dance. In addition to excellent technical skills, he brought artistic education and other qualities of Russian ballet training to American dancers. Mr. Boytsov enjoys sharing his professional skills and love for dance through Open World Dance Foundation as a founder and Vice-President.

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.