Our Faculty
Meet Elena & Our Team
Our instructors are former professional dancers with careers spanning the world's leading ballet companies. They bring that experience directly to every class at Brevard Ballet Academy.
Artistic Director
Elena Shokhina
Owner & Academy Director
Vaganova Ballet Academy · St. Petersburg Ballet · Nevada Ballet Theatre
Elena began her ballet journey at the world-renowned Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. After completing eight years of intense training, she graduated and commenced an eight-year tenure as a professional ballerina — first with the Saint Petersburg State Academic Yacobson Ballet Theatre, and later with the St. Petersburg Ballet. At both companies, Elena quickly advanced to principal status and performed in major theaters around the world.
In 2000, Elena moved to the United States and earned a position with Nevada Ballet Theatre, quickly becoming a principal and performing until retiring in 2008 — the end of a 16-year career. Her repertoire included leading roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, The Nutcracker, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Dracula, Romeo and Juliet, La Bayadere, and Paquita, among others.
Elena discovered her passion for teaching classical ballet at Nevada Ballet Theatre's affiliated academy. She relocated to Brevard County in 2010 and opened Brevard Ballet Academy in 2014. One year later, Florida Today interviewed Elena about her vision for a youth company — a vision that became reality in 2018 with the founding of Brevard Ballet Youth Company.
The Full Team
Our Instructors
Each member of our faculty brings deep professional experience and a genuine passion for developing the next generation of dancers.
Luba Gulyaeva
Ballet Instructor
Vaganova Ballet Academy · Kirov Ballet · American Ballet Theatre
A graduate of the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia, Ms. Gulyaeva joined the Kirov Ballet in 1972, dancing featured roles in Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, La Bayadere, and Don Quixote. In the 1980s, she was invited by Mikhail Baryshnikov himself to join the staff of the American Ballet Theatre, where she taught company class and coached the dancers. Ms. Gulyaeva's additional teaching credits include the Australian Ballet in Melbourne, Australia, the School of American Ballet in New York, and seminars at numerous universities in the United States.
Michele "Mimi" MacDonald
Ballet Instructor
Temple University M.A. · Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet · Vaganova Methodology
Mimi MacDonald Sitterly is a dance education consultant specializing in ballet teacher preparation. She graduated from Principia College with a minor in dance and Temple University with a Master's Degree in dance education. During twelve years in Philadelphia she co-directed a non-profit ballet company and studied Vaganova methodology with John White at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet. She has been guest faculty at five colleges and universities. Combining her teacher training background with Elena's Vaganova knowledge, Mimi helped develop the detailed curriculum now used at Brevard Ballet Academy.
Kathleen Reau
Ballet Instructor
School of American Ballet · Hamburg Ballet · BalletMet (11 seasons)
Kathleen began her ballet training at the Reilly Academy of Ballet in Milwaukee and later trained at the School of American Ballet in New York City. Her professional career began with the Hamburg Ballet in Germany, where she was a company member for four seasons and toured throughout Europe, Russia, and South America. She later completed 11 seasons as a lead company member with BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio. After her career as a dancer, she taught at Jansen Dance Project in Tampa, Point Park University in Pittsburgh, and BalletMet Academy in Columbus.
Colin Fuller
Contemporary Instructor
Juilliard B.F.A. · School of American Ballet · Paris Opera Ballet · NDT
Colin Fuller was born, raised, and began dancing in Melbourne, Florida, later training at the School of American Ballet in New York City. He received a Jerome L. Greene Fellowship to attend the Juilliard School and earned his B.F.A. there in 2016. He studied at Paris Opera Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, Forsythe's Art of Berlin, and Springboard Dans Montreal, and has performed works by Jose Limon, Peter Martens, Merce Cunningham, and Lar Lubovitch. While enjoying a freelance career in Europe, New York, and Florida, he cultivated his passion for choreographing and teaching.
Dasha Bondar
Assistant to the Director
Nevada Ballet Academy · Florida State University B.S. · Daughter of Elena Shokhina
Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Dasha grew up in the world of professional ballet as the daughter of two Vaganova Ballet Academy graduates, including Academy Director Elena Shokhina. She moved to the United States at age 5 and immediately began training at Nevada Ballet Academy on a full scholarship, performing in The Nutcracker, Peter Pan, and Dracula. In addition to ballet, Dasha has advanced training in contemporary, jazz, Fosse, character dance, and hip-hop. After earning a B.S. from Florida State University, she became the academy administrator in 2018.
Guest Instructors
Always Growing
We are always seeking accomplished instructors to complement our exceptional faculty. Your inquiry is sincerely welcome.
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Train with World-Class Faculty
Enroll today and experience classical ballet training guided by dancers who have performed on the world's greatest stages.