Meet Svetlana
After seeing beautiful ballerinas on TV, I started dancing at the age of 6 at a local dance studio in my hometown in Russia. Ever since, dancing would give me the greatest joy, a way to express myself, and helped me build my confidence, character, and so much more.
Why dance with me?
- To have fun, enjoy the music, and feel the joy of movement
- To improve your confidence and self-esteem
- To get / stay in shape with low impact movements
- Start with the basics and gradually progress at your own pace as you improve your posture, flexibility, and muscle tone.
I graduated from the College of Arts with honors majoring in classical (Vaganova method) and character dance and later joined the State Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia as a solo and corps de ballet performer. While performing with the company and teaching dance at local studios, I received my master’s degree from the St. Petersburg University of Culture and Arts.
Working for several years as a lead dancer and choreographer in the cruise industry, meeting new people, visiting many countries, and learning about new cultures and, of course dance, was an unforgettable experience.
After moving to the United States with my family, I started teaching classical and character dance in St. Petersburg, Florida where I performed and choreographed for numerous productions like The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Swan Lake, Cinderella and more. I was fascinated by the fact that ballet classes are offered to adults who might have never had this experience before. Starting an adult program for different levels was a new experience for me but I loved seeing the impact of dance on my students. It is so rewarding to see my adult dance students grow and progress daily!
My experience also includes coaching students for prestigious competitions. My solo and ensemble choreography were awarded in USA and Russia. I currently teach at the Patel Conservatory in Tampa as a ballet mistress and character dance instructor. It gives me a great pleasure to appear on stage with my students in many productions as Berta from Giselle, Queen from Cinderella and others. While there, I also work with Opera Tampa on staging and choreography, helping with productions like Aida, La Traviata and others.
