FACULTY
Come dance with us at Academy of International Ballet!
We have The BEST TEAM of TEACHERS!!!
Our team of instructors is dedicated to teaching students proper techniques you need to take your dancing to the next level. Whether you’re here for recreation or for professional training, we can help you reach your goals. Continue browsing our team profiles below to learn more.
DENIS GRONOSTAYSKIY
Denis Gronostayskiy is a graduate of the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow Russia and acclaimed as Artist of Distinction in the United States. Gronostayskiy was Principal Artist with the Moscow Renaissance Ballet in Russia, Philadelphia Ballet Theatre, the Richmond Ballet, VA, International Ballet Classique. He danced professionally throughout Europe, Japan and the US. Denis has performed principal roles in Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Coppelia, Nutcracker, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty, and many more, as well as Balanchine productions and modern and contemporary works of choreographers such a Kirk Peterson, J. Butler, Malcolm Burn, V. Nebrada, C. Connor and others.
He co-founded the Academy of International Ballet for the training of young, aspiring dance artists. Beginning students, adults, and those seeking professional training benefit under the expertise and nurturing environment provided in his classrooms. His students have gone on to receive scholarship at dance colleges and win national awards. Under Gronostayskiy’s artistic direction, International Ballet Classique, has presented a number of full length ballets, including Coppelia, Nutcracker, Giselle, Walpurgis Night, Swan Lake Act II, Paquita and numerous mixed repertory performances throughout the Delaware Valley and on tour.
Gronostayskiy’s artistic talents include choreographing contemporary works, prop and set design and professional photography, especially for dance and head-shot portfolios www.gron.smugmug.com.
ANASTASIA BABAYEVA
Anastasia Babayeva is a graduate of the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Moscow, Russia. She danced professionally with the Bolshoi Theatre in Russia, Chicago Ballet, IL, Richmond Ballet in VA, International Ballet Classique, PA.
She has performed principal roles in great classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Coppelia, Nutcracker, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty and others, as well as Balanchine ballets and contemporary works of world renowned choreographers such as K. Peterson, J. Butler, M. Burn, V. Nebrada, C. Connor and many others. Ms. Babayeva also performed as a guest artist in galas and productions throughout USA.
She co-founder the Academy of International Ballet and in 2003 International Ballet Classique. Under her direction, IBC has presented acclaimed performances of major full-length ballets including Coppelia, Nutcracker, Giselle, Walpurgis Night, Swan Lake Act II, Paquita and numerous mixed repertory performances.
Ms. Babayeva received Outstanding Teacher Award from American Ballet Competition and YAGP in 2007 and 2014. Her students have qualified and won medals in prestigious ballet competitions throughout USA and gone on to dance in professional companies. In 2006 Ms. Babayeva joined the dance faculty at University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. Her talent doesn’t stop there. Ms. Babayeva creates professional ballet costumes, including tunics, tutus, and tiaras. Her costumes are worn by dancers at competitions and ballet productions. Babayeva was featured in Dancer magazine 2005.
LEONID GOYKHMAN
Leonard Goykhman completed his ballet training at the Academy of International Ballet in Media, PA under Denis Gronostaiysky and Anastasia Babayeva. He went on to receive a full scholarship at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA where he obtained a B.F.A. in Dance Education and was awarded an “Outstanding Student Teacher” diploma. Currently, Leonid is a soloist with the First State Ballet Theater in Wilmington, DE. He is also a ballet instructor at the First State Ballet Theater School, the Academy of International Ballet, and Broadway Bound Dance Academy in Media PA.
Leonid has performed as a guest artist with several ballet companies including the City Ballet of San Diego in California, and Configuration Dance Theater in Buffalo, NY. He has also participated in numerous ballet competitions including the Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition (received special honors), the Youth American Grand Prix (1st place in Philadelphia regionals 2007), and the Youth Dance Festival of New jersey (Best Male Dancer 2006).
RACHEL NEITZKE
Rachel Neitzke has been training in all styles of dance since the age of two. Because of her father’s service in the United States Air Force, she has had the experience of training all over the United States. Rachel has had the opportunity to compete in several dance competitions such as Tremaine, Show Biz, Cathy Roe, NYCDA and Youth America Grand Prix where she has been awarded highly. Rachel has attended many intense summer programs at schools such as North Carolina School of the Arts, The Rock School, The University of Utah, among others. She has been training with Koresh Dance Company since the age of 13 and was an original member of the Koresh Youth Ensemble. Rachel is currently a student at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia where she continues to train in all styles of dance, as well as performing works and choreographing works of her own.
McKENNA SING
McKenna began her ballet training with The Academy of International Ballet in 2008, and has performed with International Ballet Classique in the Nutcracker, Coppelia, Carnival of the Animals, and Les Apparitions. McKenna has won many prestigious awards from the Youth Dance Festival of New Jersey, American Ballet Competion, World Ballet Competition, and Youth America Grand Prix. She has also been awarded scholarships to summer programs at The Bolshoi Ballet Academy, The Kirov Academy of Ballet, Boston Ballet, Ellison Ballet, and the Washington Ballet. In 2015, McKenna began studying at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, and has trained with world reknown teachers.
ALEJANDRA RAMIREZ-ORTIZ
Alejandra Ramirez-Ortiz started her formal ballet training at the age of
eight in Durango, Mexico, under the supervision of Raúl Santillán, former dancer of the Mexican National Ballet. From 1986 to 1991, she periodically received training from the National School of Dance in Mexico City. In 1991, Alejandra moved to Monterrey, Mexico and started a major in engineering while continuing her ballet training at the Performing Arts School of Nuevo Leon University. In 1994, she joined the Classic Dance Ensemble of Nuevo Leon University, led by professor Fernando Alonso, co-founder of the National Ballet of Cuba. Noticing her passion for ballet, Fernando Alonso and his team gave Alejandra principal roles in the performances of the ensemble and selected her as the school representative in the Alicia Alonso's International Competition in La Havana, Cuba in 1997, where Alejandra made it to the final round. Alejandra moved to France the same year, where she attended Rosella Hightower’s school of dance in Cannes. In 2003, she moved to the US and has since trained and collaborated with: Andrei Ustinov and Elena Martinson, former star dancers of the Kirov ballet; with Donna Muzio, artistic director and founder of the Brandywine Ballet and the Dance Center in West Chester, PA; at International Ballet Theater Academy in Frazer, PA; and at Dance Elite in Horsham, PA. Alejandra enjoys sharing her love for ballet with students of all ages. Over the past seven years, she has received intensive training in different teaching modalities for children with Autism, which she has applied in working with her own autistic daughter.