ABOUT US

Nika Ballet Studio was established in February 2006 by three young, enthusiastic women inspired by their love of dance with a vision for a school that provides superior quality dance instruction to students at all levels and ages.
 
Our studio is based on a strong belief that a dance center should not just be a comfortable place for exercise, but an esthetic and mood-elevating space for connection of the body and soul. Nika Ballet Studio is a professional dance school, as well as yoga, pilates and fitness center, offering an invigorating atmosphere and dynamic instruction. 

Nika Ballet Studio offers a comfortable and constructive environment for anyone willing to embrace the exciting challenge of the world of dance and fitness.  For our young dancers, various classes are offered where children can channel their energy, develop listening skills and concentration, gain enhanced bodily control, posture, flexibility, coordination and, of course, aspire to become professional dancers.  For adults, our studio offers pilates, yoga, and fitness dance classes, which are aimed at helping individuals attain one of the greatest goals of all – that of health and peace of mind - a combination that promotes elevation of self-esteem and increases self-motivation.


FOUNDERS

Anna Fateeva-Kazantseva
Artistic Director / Choreographer

Anna Fateeva was born in Moscow, and began her dance training at the Academy of the Bolshoi Ballet at the age of nine. She graduated in 1992 and joined the Moscow Classical Ballet Company.  As a soloist, Anna Fateeva performed a number of principal roles in ballets such as the “Nutcracker”, “Swan Lake”, “Giselle”, “Don Quixote”, “Cinderella”, “Romeo & Juliet” and many more.  She accompanied the theatre on many world tours, dancing in Japan, Italy, France, Norway, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, China, Mexico and other countries.

In 1998, Anna moved to the United States and continued her career as guest performer for the Eglevsky Ballet, the Leggz, and the Tressor Dance Company. Anna’s teaching and choreographing experience started at the Brighton Ballet. In 2000, she joined the Broadway Dance Center in New York City, as an adjunct instructor. In February of 2006, Anna Fateeva became a partner and an artistic director of an innovative, elite dance studio, aimed to grant Russian community with a true meaning of a professional school of classical ballet and modern dance.

In January of 2007, Ms. Fateeva proudly presented the premiere of her original choreography in the ballet the “Snow Queen,” performed by her students at the Millennium Theatre, and welcomed with great enthusiasm and appreciation in the Russian-American community. 

Since that time, the students of Nika Ballet Studio under the artistic direction of Ms. Fateeva, have presented numerous performances on the stage of the Millennium Theater, went on to win several first-place prizes in 2008 Miss Olympic Dance Competition, and just recently debuted with Anna's original choreography on Broadway, with a March 2009 performance of a show ballet "DanceNation" at the Symphony Space Peter Jay Sharp Theater.

Tina Giyaur
Executive Director  

Ms. Giyaur holds a graduate degree in clinical psychology and is a practicing attorney. She carries a passion for ballet from childhood and now the dance school named after her daughter, Nika, is the source of genuine pride, joy, and excitement.

Nika

Our very special little princess who united us, gave us a real purpose, and continues to be an inspiration!










FACULTY

Dina Sootes
Modern Dance Instructor

Born and raised in Saint Petersburg, Ms. Sootes has studied with Anna Fateeva-Kazantseva for over a decade, receiving intensive training in classical/neo-classical and contemporary ballet, as well as modern dance.   Dina has also trained with some of the most renowned teachers of modern and character dance in New York, at Broadway Dance Center.  She is a principal dancer with several established dance companies performing throughout United States.  In her career with Nika Ballet Studio, Dina has danced leading parts in the ballets “The Snow Queen” and “The Twelve Brothers Months” under the artistic direction of Anna Fateeva-Kazantseva. Her teaching methodology is based on Ms. Fateeva-Kazantseva’s approach, and she is excited to have the opportunity to share her technique and love for the art of dance as part of the faculty of Nika Ballet Studio.

Edita Greben
Rhythmics/Pre-Ballet Instructor

Edita Greben was born in Kiev, Ukraine and began her studies in classical ballet at an early age at the Kiev Academy of Arts.  Upon her arrival to the United States, Edita continued her ballet studies under the tutorage of Anna Fateeva-Kazantseva. Ms. Greben is currently a Baccalaureatedegree candidate at Hunter College of CUNY.  She now successfully combines her academic endeavors with teaching as part of the faculty of Nika Ballet Studio. Since 2006, Edita has performed principal roles in numerous ballet shows including “Colors in Motion”, “Snow Queen”, “Twelve Brothers-Months”, “Fountaindance”, and the “Beauty and the Beast”.


Polina Zilbert
Rhythmics/Pre-Ballet Instructor

Polina Zilbert was born in Liepaja, Latvia. She moved to United States at a very young age and began studying ballet at the age of 6. In addition to ballet, Polina has also studied modern dance, jazz, and tap under the instruction of world-renowned dancers at the prestigious NYC Broadway Dance Center. She came to Nika Ballet Studio in 2007 where she continues to study classical and neoclassical technique under the artistic direction of Anna Fateeva-Kazantseva. Polina holds a BA in Political Science and is currently studying pre-medicine at Brooklyn College.  Ms. Zilbert now joins the growing faculty at Nika Ballet Studio carrying on the cherished traditions of the Russian School of Ballet.

FRIENDS

Sauchik Law Group, P.C.

La Boom Studio

RussianKidNY.com

Ieva Sireikyte Photography