Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy was established in 2006 by Dmitri and Jennifer Kulev, former principal dancers at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. DKCBA was founded on the Russian classical training system called the Vaganova Method. In 2024, Alina Krasovskaya and Alexander Romanchikov, former soloists at the Mariinsky Theatre, became the new directors of DKCBA. They continue to uphold the Vaganova Method and aim to foster a new generation of professional ballet dancers with high quality instruction and the highest standards of Russian ballet. This dedication is reflected in the many international and national awards, company contracts, and college acceptances DKCBA students have received.
We currently offer training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and character technique. We also home to the Orange County Ballet Theater (OCBT), which offers students performance opportunities in and around Orange County. Furthermore, DKCBA students have the opportunity to train with WESTSIDE DANCE PROJECT, a preprofessional contemporary company based at DKCBA and directed by Cory Barnette & Troy Herring.
- ALINA KRASOVSKAYAAlina, a native of St. Petersburg, began her journey in ballet at 10 when she enrolled at the prestigious Vaganova Ballet Academy. Her time at the academy was marked by active participation in numerous productions at the Mariinsky Theatre, where she assumed leading roles in her graduation performances. Upon completing her education, Alina became a member of the Mariinsky Ballet Company, showcasing her talent through solo performances in classical ballets and contributing to various theatre productions, concerts, and festivals. Collaborating with renowned contemporary choreographers further enriched her experience at the theatre.As part of the troupe, Alina toured with the Mariinsky company across the USA, Japan, China, Germany, Italy, Spain, Great Britain, Brazil, and other countries.
In 2020, Alina’s international journey in Ballet reached a new milestone as she attained a master’s degree in choreography from the Vaganova Ballet Academy. This achievement coincided with her involvement in the «The Workshop of Young Choreographers» as part of the prestigious “Mariinsky” festival.
In 2022, Alina moved to California and continued her career as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer. She joined the Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy faculty and has conducted master classes at various ballet schools and companies. Additionally, Alina has managed and produced her own choreography projects and created contemporary pieces for competitions. She also has performed in numerous productions, taking on multiple roles, such as Sugarplum in "The Nutcracker," Gamzatti in "La Bayadere," Juliette in "Romeo and Juliette," and Aurora in “Sleeping Beauty,” among others. - ALEXANDER ROMANCHIKOVAlexander Romanchikov was born in Krasnodar, Russia, and his journey in the world of dance began in Moscou with Loktev Song and Dance Ensemble, when he continued his ballet education at Ledyah Ballet Academy before he joined the prestigious Vaganova Ballet Academy. During his education, Alexander constantly participated in Mariinsky Theatre productions and danced in principal roles upon graduation. After graduation, he was invited to join the esteemed Mariinsky Ballet Company, which marked the beginning of his successful career. His talent and dedication led to his promotion to the rank of Soloist in 2008. Alexander’s versatility and range of skills have been showcased in renowned festivals such as «White Nights,» «Mariinsky,» and «Easter Festival» since 2006. His contributions to the Theater’s repertoire include a wide range of Classical, character, and dramatic roles in ballets such as Swan Lake, La Bayadere, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, and Stone Flower, as well as works by choreographers like Fokine, Preljocaj, Balanchine, Gusev, Lavrovsky, and Ashton. His ability to embody different characters and styles is a testament to his artistry and dedication.
He traveled multiple times with the company’s tours to the USA, Japan, China, Germany, Great Britain, Austria, France, Brazil, and others, where he captivated audiences with his exceptional performances. In 2020, Alexander furthered his expertise by graduating as a ballet master at St. Petersburg Conservatory, named after N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov. In 2022, he embarked on a new chapter in his career by moving to California. He continues performing the principal roles in many ballet productions and collaborating with contemporary choreographers. He was established as a teacher at Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy, where he continued to inspire and educate students with his wealth of experience and skills.
the provided details below.
dance@dkcba.com
(949)360-4233
