Elvira Tarasova Merited Artist of Russia Master classes Dance Open: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

Having graduated from the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in 1987 (class of Inna Zubkovskaya) she joined the Kirov Theatre of Opera and Ballet (renamed the Mariinsky Theatre in 1992); soloist from 1996. She created the role of Coppélia (Oleg Vinogradov’s version of Coppélia) and danced lead roles in the ballets La Sylphide (the Sylph), Giselle (Giselle, Myrtha), Le Corsaire (Gulnare, Medora), La Bayadère (Nikia, Ganzatti), Swan Lake (Friends of the Prince), The Sleeping Beauty (Violante Fairy, Diamond Fairy, Gold Fairy, Courage Fairy, the White Cat), The Nutcracker (Masha, Doll, Pas de trois), Raymonda (Clémence, Henrietta, variation in the Dream scene), Don Quixote (Kitri, Queen of the Dryads), Chopiniana (Nocturne, Eleventh Waltz, Mazurka), Le Spectre de la rose (the Girl), The Fountain of Bakhchisarai (Maria), Leningrad Symphony (the Girl), Apollo (Calliope), Jewels (Rubies), Serenade, Symphony in C (III. Allegro vivace) and Die Puppenfee (the Fairy Doll). Since 2010 she has been a teacher and coach with the Mariinsky Ballet, rehearsing roles with Yekaterina Kondaurova, Anastasia Matvienko, Anastasia Kolegova and Tatiana Tkachenko.

Stanislav Feco Ballet master, coach Master classes Dance Open: 2014

Graduated from the National Conservatory of Prague (Ballet Department), then studied at the VaganovaAcademy. Trained at Palucca School in Dresden and Ballet Academy of Cologne. As a guest soloist performed with different companies of Russia, Czech Republic, Azerbaijan, Argentina, etc. Since 1996 works as a ballet master with the choreographer Vasily Medvedev. Together they staged over 20 productions in Russia, USA, Romania, Turkey, Estonia, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Slovakia, Mexico , Panama, South Korea, Canada, etc.

She knows how to be different. Critics, while discribing her, often contradict each other. Some of them see a master of passion in her, some mention a cold technique, others with surprize discover her comedy talent. Chances are — all of them are right in their own way.

Irma Nioradze People's Artist of Russia Master classes Dance Open: 2015, 2016

Graduated from the Tbilisi State Choreographic Institute (class of Serafima Vekua and Vakhtang Chabukiani). After studying on probation at Saint Petersburg Choreographic School named after Vaganova (Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet) she joined Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre named after Z.P. Paliashvili. In 1992 was invited as a lead soloist with the Mariinsky Ballet. Irma Nioradze has many admirers from all over the world. On the one hand it is thanks to her perfect technique that can be seen when she performs such ballets as Giselle, Don Quixote, Symphony in C, and on the other hand she obtains a great dramatic gift, that makes every classic and already familiar to the audience role to sound in a new way and very often in a very unexpected manner. She conquered all the famous stages — Bolshoi Theatre (Moscow), Covent Garden (London), Queen Elizabeth Hall (London), Metropolitan Opera House (New York), Teatro Colón (Buenos Aires), Théâtre des Champs Elysées (Paris), Teatro dell'Opera di Roma (Rome), Hungarian State Opera (Budapest). Irma Nioradze performed in more than 40 countries and 120 cities of the world.

Yulia Makhalina People's Artist of Russia Principal Dancer of the Mariinsky Ballet Master classes Dance Open: 2013, 2014

Performs more than 60 leading roles of the world repertoire. Prominent choreographers worked or created roles specifically for her: Maurice Bejart, Yuri Grigorovich Oleg Vinogradov, Jerome Robbins. Among her partners: Farukh Ruzimatov, Nikolay Tsiskaridze, Andris Liepa, Nicolas Le Riche, and others. Danced as a guest star with Royal Ballet Covent Garden, Opera de Paris, Teatro alla Scala, Metropolitan Opera, Opera di Roma and others.