Katerina Fedotova
School Director, Principal Dancer, Ballet Instructor
President, Russian Ballet of Orlando
Katerina is the daughter of Artistic Directors, Vadim Fedotov and Irina Depler, was born as the forth generation ballet dancer in Kiev, Ukraine, studied at the Kiev Ballet Academy in Kiev, Ukraine under the direction of Natalya Shitikova and Larisa Obovskaya, and the National Theater of Yugoslavia. As a child Katerina has traveled the world with her parents since the day she could walk, watching and taking in the exciting life of ballet dancers, as they transform them selves to the most fascinating characters on stage. The Theater became her playground and ballet became her world. Katerina received a principal title at the age of 18, and performed in countries including Spain, Portugal, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Romania, South Korea, England, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, and United States. Katerina has performed and toured as a Principal Dancer in ballets including Le Corsaire, Sleeping Beauty, Ballet Fedotov’s Productions of The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Snow White, Hamlet, West Side Story, Romeo and Juliet, Gershwin Greats, Coppelia and many different etudes and variations choreographed specifically for Ms. Fedotova by her father Prof. Vadim Fedotov.
March 23, 2011 Katerina and her parents celebrated the 11 year Anniversary of Russian Academy of Ballet in Orlando. Ms. Fedotova is a Director of Russian Academy of Ballet and accepted President position on the board of Russian Ballet of Orlando in May of 2011. She continues family’s legacy educating and training young, aspiring dancers to succeed and pursue their professional career in ballet. Katerina’s goal at Russian Academy and Russian Ballet of Orlando is to provide dancers with opportunities to train Russian “Vaganova” method and to build their professional resume by performing solo and principal roles while they are still in school. As they graduate, Russian Ballet graduates will have an impressive resume filled with strong experience that will be appropriate to present to companies world wide.
“My dreams are to open doors for the young dancers, allow them to explore different opportunities that this world can bring. Allow them to make their choice, and help them succeed in Professional Companies world wide” - Katerina Fedotova
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
Soloist 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 5th 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, 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 for all of the Beginner and Intermediate levels.
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.
Rhea Dorris
Rhea Dorris began dancing at age 3 with the Orlando City Ballet under artistic direction of Beatrix Aldana, and in 2003 Orlando City Ballet was joined together with the Russian Academy of Ballet under the direction of Vadim Fedotov and Irina Depler. As a company member, Rhea has performed in “The Nutcracker,” “Cinderella,” “Snow White,” and “Romeo & Juliet.” Ms. Doris has trained with Mrs. Irina Depler since 2003. She has annually participated in the International student ballet competition, “Youth America Grand Prix,” leading her and and her ballet classmates to the finals in New York. Her soloist roles include “Nutcracker Doll,” “Snow Queen,” “Stepsister” (Cinderella), “Giselle,” and “Raymonda.”