Monthly Archives: August 2011

Irina Depler

Executive Director and Ballet Mistress

Mrs. Irina was born in Kiev, Ukraine and began her ballet training at the age of 12 at the Kiev Academy of Ballet in Ukraine.  Upon graduation at the age of 18, she was invited to perform with the Kiev National Theater of Opera and Ballet. She was the first ballerina who earned a permanent position as the Principal Dancer at the end of her first year in the company, and held this title for 24 years.  Her repertoire includes principal role in Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Cinderella, Snow White, Coppelia, The Nutcracker, Don Juan, Carmen, Legend of Love, Shurale, Chopeniana, Seven Beauties, Stone Flower, Les Sylphides, Paquita, Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors, and Blue Danube – the Waltz of Strauss.

For many years, Irina coached dancers for international events such as the Maya Plisetskaya Honorary Competition in Varna, Russia and the Serge Lifar Ballet Competition in Paris, France.  She is very proud of her Vaganova training (the most studied and recognized ballet method).  She received training for three coaches throughout her dance career, who directly studied under Vaganova her self.  Irina has performed as Principal Dancer and Director throughout all Europe, Asia, North and South America.  She came to United States in 1997 and worked with the Orlando Ballet for 3 years as a Ballet Mistress and main coach in the Company.  At present, Irina is the owner and Ballet Mistress of Russian Academy, and Executive Director and founder of Russian Ballet of Orlando.

Mrs. Irina and her family are celebrating RAB’s 11th year Anniversary May 3rd, 2011 and the beginning of the 12th Season.

 

Katie Stasse

Principal at the Russian Ballet of Orlando and Ballet Instructor

Ms. Stasse started dancing at the age of four in New Brunswick, New Jersey.  She continued her ballet training at Florida Arts and Dance Company in Stuart, Florida under the direction of Tatiana Kopp.  In 2001 Katie joined the Orlando City Ballet (now Russian Ballet of Orlando) under direction of Beatrix Aldana.  Since 2003 Katie been training at the Russian Academy of Ballet under direction of Vadim Fedotov and Irina Depler, and received a principal position at the Russian Ballet of Orlando in 2009.  In 2007 she went through the RAB 3 month teacher’s training course at the Academy, and she is beginning her 6th Season as a RAB teacher.  Katie has performed soloist and principal roles in Vadim Fedotov’s productions of the Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story, Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, and Gershwin Greats.  Appeared in Russian Ballet of Orlando Gala performances with The Dying Swan, Le Corsaire, Hungarian Rhapsody, Gershwin, Jazz Swing, Indian Jazz and many more.

Ms. Katie is one of the leading teachers at the Russian Academy of Ballet for all of the Beginner and Intermediate levels.  Ms. Katie is not only a fantastic dancer and teacher but also an inspiration to every student at the Academy.

 

Vadim Fedotov

Artistic Director and Choreographer Vadim Fedotov started his ballet training at the age of 10 at the Kiev Academy of Ballet in Kiev, Ukraine.  Graduating at the age of 18, received a position at the Kiev National Theater of Opera and Ballet, and at the age of 22 received a permanent Principal position with the company.

Vadim is renown for his unsurpassed performances in Spartacus, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Carmen, Legend of Love, Don Juan, Snow White, Daphnis at Chloe, Bolero, and many more. When dancing failed to satisfy his drive, he began to explore choreography. At the age of 26 attended one of the top Choreographic Universities in the World ”Gitis”in Moscow, Russia. Graduating five years later on the top of his class with a title of Professor/Choreographer.

Vadim created distinguished choreographic creations for The Mermaid, Marry Widow, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, The Year 1812, Antic Classics, Gershwin Greats, Cinderella, Snow White, My Giselle, West Side Story, and The Nutcracker.  As well he has re-staged classical ballet such as Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake. Professor Vadim Fedotov is the producer and libretto writer of 5 ballet films in Europe where he won two Gold and Silver medals at ”Lauret International Ballet Choreographer’s Competitions”.  Vadim also explored choreography on Ice and for 5 years was the Artistic Director of ”Kiev on Ice” and choreographed creations as La Fille Mal Gardee, Carmen and The Nutcracker.

His career as a dancer and choreographer has taken him on tours throughout Europe, Asia, North and South America.  He has acted as the Artistic Director for several ballet companies, most notably the Youth Theater of Ukraine, the Ensemble of Classical Creations of Kiev, Kiev’s Chamber Ballet Company, the International Cultural Group, and the National Theater of Yugoslavia.  He has also been a choreographer for the Kiev National Theater of Opera and Ballet and the Orlando Ballet.

Vadim and his family are currently the owner of Russian Academy of Ballet and Artistic Director of Russian Ballet of Orlando and Ballet Fedotov.   June 1st, 2009 Vadim, his wife Irina, and daughter Katerina are celebrating the 9 year Anniversary of the Russian Academy of Ballet in Orlando.

 

Jessica Valdes

Company member at the Russian Ballet of Orlando and Ballet Instructor

Ms. Jessica began her ballet training at the Russian Academy in 2009.  With her beautiful ballet lines and potential she caught our eye and was asked to join the Russian Ballet of Orlando Company.  She has performed and toured in The Nutcracker, Snow White and Seven Dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Don Quixote, Coppelia, Giselle, and more. After noticing her dedication to detail in class and helping out younger dancers with their combinations, Ms. Jessica was offered a teaching position in 2011.  She has been recognized as one of the leading teacher for the Beginner levels, with her love and smile Ms. Jess is admired by all the little ballerinas who want to grow up to be just like her.

Marissa Smith

Principal Dancer at Russian Ballet of Orlando and Ballet Instructor

Ms. Marissa began her ballet training at the age of 5 in small, local ballet schools in Orlando.  She has received good ballet training over the years  but her full potential was discovered when she started at the Russian Academy of Ballet.  Marissa was invited into the Russian Ballet of Orlando company and by the end of the season was given an opportunity to perform her first leading role as Aurora in Sleeping Beauty.  Followed by leading roles in Coppelia, Don Quixote, Clara and Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker.  Ms. Marissa has a wonderful future and we are excited and proud seeing her grow into her ‘pointe’ shoes.  She is also a rising ballet teacher for beginner levels, this is her second season teaching and winning over little ballerinas hearts.