Faculty
Aleksei Fomkin
Co-founder & Artistic Director of Fomkin Ballet Academy
Master Teacher, Professor, Choreographer, PhD in Pedagogical Sciences
Ballet Dancer of the Internationally Acclaimed Mariinsky Theater (Russia) & “Universal Ballet” (South Korea)
Reformer of the World of Ballet
Author of 38 research works, including three monographs, three training manuals, and numerous scholarly articles on choreographic education, educational standardization issues, and innovations in education
World Renowned Ballet Methodologist & Ballet Expert
Participant of over 50 Accreditations of Ballet Schools & Dance/Music Departments
Entrepreneur & Researcher of Choreographic Education
Former Vice-Rector, Head of the Department of Choreographic Education, and Professor of Internationally Estimated Vaganova Ballet Academy (Russia)
Former Deputy Director at the Boris Eifman Dance Academy (Russia)
Former Head of the Department for Methodological Regulation of the Content of Higher Education and Learning Process at the Russian Federation Ministry of Education and Science (Russia)
Recipient of National and International Prestigious Awards & Prizes
Participant of Numerous Ballet Conferences and Congresses
Judge of the Golden Mask National Theatre Award and Festival (Russia)
Outstanding Accreditation Expert 2018 (Russia)
Psychologist, psychotherapist
EKATERINA SHCHELKANOVA
Guest teacher
Ekaterina Shchelkanova (Chtchelkanova) received her dance training at the Vaganova Academy. She joined the Kirov Ballet (now the Mariinsky Theatre) as a soloist after graduation. Ms. Shchelkanova joined American Ballet Theatre in 1995, and as a soloist with the Company, she excelled in various soloist and principal roles. 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, intense 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 several ballet books. Such masters as Gelsey Kirkland, Natalia Makarova, and Mikhail Baryshnikov noticed her exceptional training and pure classical line. While working with the American Ballet Theatre, Ms. Shchelkanova traveled dancing, teaching, and coaching the world.
In 2002, Ms. Shchelkanova made her film debut playing the role of “Hunyak” in the award-winning production of “CHICAGO”, starring Rene Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere. Ms. Shchelkanova, along with the principal cast of “Chicago“, took home a SAG Award for their “Outstanding” Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture” in 2003. In 2004, Ms. Shchelkanova starred in and co-produced Anita Doron’s independent film “The End of Silence”.
In January 2006, Ekaterina accepted the position of Artistic Director at the Berlin International Dance Festival. As a guest, Ekaterina taught classes at the National Ballet of Canada and ABT’s JKO School. She joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet as ballet mistress and, since September 2007, held the same position at Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal until she founded the Open World Dance Foundation.
