INTERNATIONAL BALLET THEATRE
presents
The
20th Anniversary
Performance Season
INTERNATIONAL BALLET THEATRE
presents
The
20th Anniversary
Performance Season
INTERNATIONAL BALLET THEATRE
presents
The
20th Anniversary
Performance Season
INTERNATIONAL BALLET THEATRE
presents
The
20th Anniversary
Performance Season
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Guest Principal Dancers
KATERYNA KUKHAR
Mrs. Kateryna Kukhar was born in Ukraine and studied at the Kiev State Choreographic School, earning herself a highly distinguished diploma. Mrs. Kukhar then attended the Kyiv National I.K. Karpenko-Karyi University of Theatre, Cinema, and Television, acquiring a Master’s Degree in Theatrical Arts.
Mrs. Kukhar became a soloist of the National Opera of Ukraine and was promoted to Prima Ballerina of the company. She has represented the company in this position for nineteen years. During her incredible career, she has performed in over 1,700 productions and numerous international tours with the National Opera of Ukraine, as well as many other leading ballet companies throughout the world. Ms. Kukhar has nearly performed the entire company’s repertoire to include countless highly recognizable roles.
In addition to her fine education, many awards, and honors, as well as her regular company performances, Ms. Kukhar has participated in numerous International Festivals and Galas all around the world as a principal dancer and master instructor.
Ms. Kukhar has been an honorary member of many international competitions all over the world as a master instructor and as an adjudicator.
A crowning moment to her beautifully magnificent career came in 2004 when by the decree of the president of Ukraine, Ms. Kukhar was awarded the title “Honored Artist of Ukraine”. Another great honor came in 2017 when she was awarded the Princess Olga Prize Pride of Ukraine.
ALEXANDER STOYANOV
Mr. Alexander Stoianov was born in Ukraine and was invited into the Kiev State Choreographic School in 1998 where he studied for seven years, earning high honors at his graduation. Mr. Stoianov attended the Kyiv National I.K. Karpenko-Karyi University of Theatre, Cinema, and Television, acquiring a Master’s Degree in Theatrical Arts. In addition, he attended the Ukrainian State University of Finance and International Trade where he earned another Master’s degree in Financial and Economic Security Management.
In 2006, Alexander became a soloist of the National Opera of Ukraine. In that same year, he was invited to dance as a guest with the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. While he was there, he earned a diploma at the Vaganova Prix Ballet Competition in Russia. In 2007, Alexander placed 3rd at the Premio Roma competition in Italy. In 2010, in that same competition, he won 2nd place. In 2009, Alexander received a diploma from the Moscow International Ballet Competition in Russia. In 2011, he placed 2nd at the Serzha Lifarya Competition in Donetsk.
In addition to his fine education, many awards, and honors, as well as his regular company performances, Alexander has repeatedly participated in numerous International Festivals and Galas all around the world as a principal dancer and master instructor. He also served as an honorary member of the juries of numerous international competitions such as Tanzolymp, Seoul International Dance Competition, All-Ukrainian Dance Assembly.
Alexander has continued dancing with the National Opera of Ukraine, becoming a principal dancer with the company in 2013, and has performed the leading roles of almost the entire company repertoire.
A crowning moment to his beautifully magnificent career came in 2019 when, by the decree of the President of Ukraine, Alexander was awarded the title, Honored Artist of Ukraine. In June of the same year, a gala in his honor was held to celebrate 10 years of performing in which select acts were presented from the ballets, Carmen Suite and Scheherazade.
Company Members
GEORGIA BILODEAU
Georgia Bilodeau was born in Summit, New Jersey. At the age of 3, she moved to Redmond, Washington, where she attended her first ballet class. At the age of 11, she attended the International Ballet Academy’s summer intensive for the first time. After falling in love with IBA’s exceptional staff and community, she decided to join the International Ballet Academy’s full-year program. Since joining IBA, she has performed with the International Ballet Theatre in Dracula, the Nutcracker, the Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, Swan Lake, The Forest Song, and Stars of Tomorrow. Georgia has also studied at various summer intensive programs, her most recent in Zürich, Switzerland, with ART of Ballet. This will be Georgia’s sixth year with the International Ballet Academy and her third year as a member of the Professional Division and in the company.
NATAN LUBOW
Born in Russia, Natan grew up in Seattle, where at age six, he decided to pursue the study of ballet after seeing IBT's production of The Nutcracker. He has trained with the International Ballet Theatre, Ballet Fantastique, Emerald Ballet Theatre of Bellevue, Spectrum Dance Theater of Seattle, Olympic Ballet, and as well as under the mentorship of Mr. Marco Carrabba.
Natan has attended Summer Intensive Programs at the Portland Festival Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet Arizona, Eugene Ballet, OKC Ballet, and Spectrum Dance Theater, as well as at IBT. Most recently, he finished an apprenticeship with Ballet Fantastique's productions and collaborations in Eugene, Oregon. He is excited to perform with The International Ballet Theatre this season. He has performed with countless ballets with IBT, including Dracula, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, The Jungle Book, and Giselle.
“I wish to tribute the late Mr. John Magnus, for refocusing my energy and for teaching me and many others the ideology and physical embodiment of ballet as an art.”
KAYLA MARSHALL
Kayla Marshall was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She began dancing at the age of 3 after moving to Florida, doing competitive dance for 2 years. She was able to train at the Northwest Florida Ballet Academie for 2 years before returning to North Carolina to study ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, and tap at Sandhills Theater Arts Renaissance School and Gary Taylor Dance. She moved with her family to the Pacific Northwest in the summer of 2022 and attended International Ballet Academy’s Summer Intensive. From there, she was invited to join the Pre-Professional division and participated in productions of Dracula, The Nutcracker, The Wizard of Oz, Stars of Tomorrow, and more. In addition to IBA, she has also attended summer intensives with Northwest Florida Ballet, Gary Taylor Dance, and Houston Ballet. This is Kayla’s second year with the International Ballet Academy and her first year in the Professional Division.
SOFIYA MONASTYRSKA
Sofiya Monastyrska began her dance journey at the age of 2 while residing in Germany. She continued practicing ballet as she moved to Bellevue, Washington, and that is when she discovered the International Ballet Academy. IBA opened Sofiya to the world of dance and the many opportunities it can bring. That is when Sofiya transitioned to Rhythmic Gymnastics for 4 years. During that time, she attended three National Championships and even the Junior Olympics, at which she placed in the top 5 in multiple events. After her journey with Rhythmic Gymnastics came to an end, Sofiya came back to IBA to continue her dance and ballet career. Now, this will be Sofiya’s 4th year with the academy and her 3rd year in the Professional Division Program.
ANITA PENG
Anita Peng was born in Chengdu, China. She first started dancing when she was 4, studying traditional Chinese dance. When she moved to Seattle, Washington, at 8 years old, she began taking ballet classes at Pacific Northwest Ballet. At 12 years old, she auditioned and joined the International Ballet Academy’s full-year program. After experiencing IBA’s loving and passionate community during her first year here, she joined the Pre-Professional program for three years. Since joining IBA, she has performed in shows such as The Nutcracker, the Wizard of OZ, Swan Lake, Dracula, the Stars of Tomorrow, and many others. This is Anita’s sixth and final year with the International Ballet Academy and her second year as a member of the Professional Division.
LEO ROSE
A Seattle native, Leo Rose first encountered the theatre in high school. After graduating, he began his dance training with various instructors throughout Seattle before attending Spectrum Dance Theatre's Academy program. Some years later, he began building his classical technique at the International Ballet Academy. The construction continues today. He has had the opportunity to perform throughout the greater Seattle area in a wide array of venues, including in Dracula with the International Ballet Theatre and as Herr Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker!
SARAH RICHTER
Sarah Richter was born in Haarlem, the Netherlands. At the age of 2, she moved to Washington and began her gymnastics and recreational dance training at 7 years old. At 12, she decided to pursue ballet at ARCB, and at 15, she decided to join the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC, to pursue a career in ballet. After her school shut down, she attended a year at the A&A Center of Dance in Chicago before attending the International Ballet Academy. She is currently a first-year International Ballet Academy student and in her first year as a member of the Professional Division.
AUBREY SEITZ
Aubrey Seitz was born in Tualatin, Oregon. At the age of 4, she participated in a summer children’s program at Oregon Ballet Theatre and fell in love with dance. After dancing with the Oregon Ballet Theatre for several years, she moved to Orlando, Florida. There, she attended the Orlando Ballet School for 4 years. At the age of 10, Aubrey moved with her family to Seattle and continued dancing. After participating in multiple International Ballet Academy summer intensives, she decided to join their year-long program in 2021. After 6 months, she was invited to join their pre-professional division. The following year, she auditioned and was accepted into the professional division. Since then, Aubrey has participated in numerous IBA productions, including Dracula, the Nutcracker, A History of Ballet: Past and Present, and The Stars of Tomorrow. She has attended several summer intensives, most recently being Boston Ballet’s summer dance program. This year will be Aubrey’s second year in the professional division and her third year with IBA.
Apprentices
ELIZABETH CAMERON
Elizabeth Cameron was born in Kirkland, WA. She began ballet training at age 3 with IBA and then transitioned into rhythmic gymnastics, where she traveled extensively for competitions in the US and Canada. In 2022, she attended IBA’s summer intensive, after which she joined the Pre-Professional Division. During this year, she gained tremendous artistic experience by participating in the productions of Dracula, Nutcracker, and Swan Lake in the spring production. Over the summer, Elizabeth competed in the Hungarian Ballet Grand Prix in Vezsprém, Hungary. This will be Elizabeth’s first year in the PD program.
KELSEY SWIGARD
Kelsey Swigard was born in Seattle, WA. She attended her first ballet class at 6 years old after being inspired by IBT’s production of The Nutcracker. Since then, she has performed in many of the International Ballet Theatre productions, such as The Nutcracker, Dracula, Alice in Wonderland, the Jungle Book, and Forest Song. Kelsey has attended International Ballet Academy and Boston Ballets summer intensives and loved the diverse teaching styles in both places. Kelsey has been with IBA for 8 years.
ASH ZAKHARENKO
Ash Scalzo Zakharenko was born in Seattle, Washington. She started ballet at 6 years old, studying under Mary Reardon and Vivian Little at Dance Fremont. As her passion for dance grew, she decided to pursue ballet more seriously and attended her first summer intensive at the International Ballet Academy in 2022. During the Intensive, she was accepted into the full-year program, and halfway through the year, she was invited to join the pre-professional program. Ash participated in IBT productions of Dracula, Nutcracker, Wizard of Oz, Swan Lake, and Forest Song. Most recently, she has attended Russian Masters Ballet summer intensives in Alicante, Spain, and Burgas, Bulgaria. This year is Ash’s second year at IBA and her first year in the Professional program.