Meet Our Team
Our faculty brings extensive training, higher education, and professional experience to every class. With education and training from internationally renowned institutions, our faculty provides exceptional instruction rooted in the Vaganova tradition.
Principal Dancer Elena Shokhina — Kitri
Elena Shokhina
Academy Director & Artistic Director
Vaganova Ballet Academy · St. Petersburg Ballet · Nevada Ballet Theatre
Elena Shokhina is the Academy Director and Artistic Director of Brevard Ballet Academy. A graduate of the world-renowned Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia, Elena completed eight years of intensive training before embarking on a distinguished 16-year career as a professional dancer.
She began her professional career with the Saint Petersburg State Academic Yakobson Ballet Theatre before joining the St. Petersburg Ballet, where she rose to the rank of Principal Dancer. During her professional career, Elena toured internationally, performing on prestigious stages throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States. In 2000, she moved to the United States and joined Nevada Ballet Theatre, where she continued performing as a Principal Dancer until her retirement in 2008.
Throughout her career, Elena became known for her exceptional discipline, artistry, and extensive repertoire. She performed leading roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, The Nutcracker, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Dracula, Romeo and Juliet, La Bayadère, La Sylphide, Cinderella, and Paquita, as well as George Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante and Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, among many other classical and contemporary works. She also had the privilege of working with renowned choreographers including Val Caniparoli, Bruce Steivel, Peter Anastos, and Mark Diamond, whose mentorship helped shape both her artistic career and the creative vision she brings to her own productions.
Elena began her teaching career in 2008 at Nevada Ballet Theatre’s affiliated academy, where she discovered her passion for sharing the artistry and discipline of the Vaganova method with the next generation of dancers.
After relocating to Brevard County in 2010, Elena founded Brevard Ballet Academy in 2014 with the mission of providing world-class classical ballet training rooted in the Vaganova tradition. In 2018, that vision expanded with the founding of Brevard Ballet Youth Company, creating additional performance opportunities for dedicated young dancers while enriching the cultural arts community throughout Brevard County.
Under Elena’s direction, students have earned scholarships and invitations to prestigious summer intensives, year-round training programs, professional schools, and ballet companies, including The Harid Conservatory, Oklahoma City Ballet School, Sarasota Ballet School, Orlando Ballet School, Cincinnati Ballet School, Houston Ballet Academy, Ballet West Academy, Atlanta Ballet, the National Ballet of Canada, and the Royal Swedish Ballet. In recognition of her outstanding dedication to student development, Elena was honored with the Outstanding Coach Award at the 2025 Universal Ballet Competition.
Today, Elena continues to mentor and inspire students of all ages, helping dancers develop exceptional technique, artistry, discipline, and a lifelong love of ballet.
Faculty
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.
Colin Fuller
Head of Contemporary Division · Ballet & 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.
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.
Ariana Colon
Pre-Ballet Division Instructor
Brevard Ballet Academy · Vaganova Method · Youth Company Alumna
Ariana Colon is a proud alumna of Brevard Ballet Academy and has been a dedicated member of the Brevard Ballet family for many years. During her training, she performed in numerous Brevard Ballet Youth Company productions, including The Nutcracker Ballet, Swan Lake, Cinderella, and Paquita. Ariana trained under the guidance of Academy Director Elena Shokhina, developing a strong foundation in classical ballet technique through the Vaganova method. Having grown up within the Academy’s program, Ariana is highly familiar with the Brevard Ballet Academy curriculum and teaching philosophy. She is passionate about sharing her love of dance with the next generation of students, helping young dancers build confidence, discipline, and a strong technical foundation in a positive and encouraging environment. Ariana is committed to inspiring students to reach their full potential while fostering a lifelong appreciation for the art of ballet.
Kathleen Reau
Ballet Instructor
School of American Ballet · Hamburg Ballet · BalletMet
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.
Dasha Bondar
Social Media & Brand Coordinator
Nevada Ballet Academy · Florida State University B.S. · MSN Family Nurse Practitioner
Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Dasha grew up immersed in the world of classical ballet as the daughter of two graduates of the prestigious Vaganova Ballet Academy, including Brevard Ballet Academy’s Academy Director, Elena Shokhina. After moving to the United States at the age of five, she began training on full scholarship at Nevada Ballet Academy, where she performed in productions including The Nutcracker, Peter Pan, and Dracula. In addition to classical ballet, Dasha has trained in contemporary, jazz, Fosse, character dance, and hip-hop. Since joining Brevard Ballet Academy in 2018, Dasha has served as both an instructor and academy administrator. Today, she serves as BBA’s Social Media & Brand Coordinator, combining her lifelong passion for ballet with her creativity to oversee the Academy’s branding, marketing, website, and digital communications. Outside of ballet, Dasha earned a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University, followed by a second bachelor’s degree in nursing and a Master of Science as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Her diverse professional background brings a unique perspective, creativity, and dedication to everything she does in support of Brevard Ballet Academy.
Guest Instructors
BBA is honored to welcome world-class guest instructors who bring extraordinary experience and perspective to our students.
Meelis Pakri
Vaganova Ballet Academy · Estonian National Ballet · Colorado Ballet · The Harid Conservatory
Meelis Pakri, originally from Tallinn, Estonia, began his ballet training at Tallinn State Ballet School and is a graduate of the world-renowned Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. Mr. Pakri danced as a Principal Dancer with Estonian National Ballet and Colorado Ballet, performing lead roles in the major classical ballets as well as works by renowned choreographers including George Balanchine and Martha Graham. At just 22 years old, he began his teaching career, instructing men’s technique and partnering at Tallinn State Ballet School. Following his retirement from performing, he served as Ballet Master for both Colorado Ballet and Houston Ballet. Mr. Pakri is a frequent guest teacher throughout Japan, Denmark, Italy, the United States, and at The Royal Ballet in London. He has also served as a judge for the Japan Grand Prix and continues judging for Youth America Grand Prix, where his students have earned numerous awards. Today, he is a faculty member at The Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida.
Arcadian Broad
Orlando Ballet · Cincinnati Ballet · Sarasota Ballet · Choreographer & Composer
Arcadian Broad, originally from Titusville, Florida, began his dance training in tap, hip-hop, and jazz before discovering his passion for ballet. After earning a scholarship at ADC IBC, he attended Orlando Ballet’s Summer Intensive at age 15. One year later, he became the youngest professional dancer in Orlando Ballet history and later rose to the rank of Principal Dancer under Robert Hill. At age 20, he founded the company’s Artist in Residence program. Arcadian has also performed as a Principal Dancer with Cincinnati Ballet and Sarasota Ballet. A choreographer and composer, Arcadian has created fifteen contemporary works and two full-length ballets, Beauty & the Beast and Wonderland: Mad Tales of the Hatter, both featuring his original orchestral scores. His choreography has been performed by Orlando Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, and Olympic Ballet Theatre. Prior to his ballet career, Arcadian was a Top 10 finalist on America’s Got Talent and appeared on The Ellen Show and So You Think You Can Dance. His theater credits include Billy Elliot, Gypsy, and Flashdance: The Musical. His film and television work includes The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Tall Girl 2, and Amazon Prime’s Étoile, where he stars as Adrian and serves as a dance body double. Based in New York City, Arcadian continues performing internationally as a guest principal dancer, actor, choreographer, and guest instructor.
Taylor Sambola-Broad
School of American Ballet · ABT · Ellison Ballet · Orlando Ballet · Sarasota Ballet
Taylor Sambola, originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, trained locally before continuing her education at prestigious institutions including The School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Ellison Ballet, Miami City Ballet, The Rock School, Houston Ballet, and Orlando Ballet. At age 16, she relocated to Miami to train as a Trainee with Miami City Ballet before continuing year-round studies at Ellison Ballet in New York. She later trained at The Rock School for Dance Education and competed in the 2013 Youth America Grand Prix. Taylor joined Orlando Ballet 2 during the 2014–2015 season before advancing to the main company in 2016. She later danced with New Orleans Ballet Theatre and Sarasota Ballet, performing both classical and contemporary repertoire. Currently based in New York City as a freelance artist, Taylor works as a ballet dancer, model, and actress. Her screen credits include Tall Girl 2 (Netflix) and Amazon Prime’s Étoile. A certified Pilates instructor since 2011, Taylor is passionate about helping dancers build strength, improve technique, and prevent injuries through Pilates instruction and masterclasses nationwide.
Hitomi Nakamura
Houston Ballet Academy · Orlando Ballet · YAGP First Place
Hitomi Nakamura began dancing at the age of four and received her early ballet training at Kaneta Kouno Ballet Academy in Japan. During her training, she earned First Place in the Ensemble category at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York City and First Place in the Senior Division at the Ballet Competition in Tokyo. In 2011, she moved to the United States to continue her studies at Houston Ballet Academy, where she also performed with the company. She is an Orlando Ballet School alumna and has danced professionally with Orlando Ballet since 2015. Her repertoire includes principal roles in Cinderella, Serenade, Lambarena, Giselle, Dracula, Sleeping Beauty, The Great Gatsby, and Moulin Rouge.
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