Faculty

	Hasmik Amirian-Bennet was accepted into the Armenian Ballet at the age of 7 where she was trained by Anaida Ter-Gabrielian, Feya Balabina, Ludimilla Sacharova, and Maxim Marturosian. At the age of 18 Hasmik graduated and was invited to join the Armenian National Opera Ballet Theatre, working with Irina Yshakova and Elena Araratova. She was soon promoted to Soloist and toured Europe and the United States dancing principal roles in performances such as Spartacus, Gayane, Snow White, Shopeniana, Don Quixote, and Masquerade. Upon settling permanently in Los Angeles, Hasmik joined the Los Angeles Classical Ballet as a soloist, as well as performing for the Kalinin Dance Company, Marla Bingham Contemporary Ballet, and the Nima Kiann Ballet company. After taking time off to get married and give birth to a son, Jeremiah, Hasmik has focused on teaching ballet in Pasadena and Long Beach. In 2007 she was appointed to the position of Assistant Director of the Marat Daukayev School of Ballet.
	Stella Gardiner began her ballet training under Donald Journeaux, a British dancer and choreographer who studied with Russian dancers from the Imperial school. She performed lead and soloist roles in original ballets created by Mr. Journeaux (Alice in Alice in Wonderland; Princess of UnderSea in Sous les Vagues). She also studied under Mia Slavenska, Alexandra Denisova, Tatiana Riabouchinska and Marat Daukayev. In addition to performing as a dancer and actress, Stella first started choreographing (Nuages; Crepuscule/Nuit; 1908 Revue) while at Occidental College (BA cum laude in English/Drama). Stella performed lead and soloist roles in local productions of La Vivandière, Paquita, Chopiniana and Cinderella. The role of Suzuki in the premiere production of Madame Butterfly: The Ballet by Paul Rizos was created on her, and she also acted as assistant choreographer. Stella has choreographed and performed for Los Angeles’s Bel Canto Opera.
	Astrid Voss Lew grew up in Montreux, Switzerland and received her professional training at the Geneva Dance Center in Switzerland. She also studied on scholarship at School of American Ballet in New York. During her training she competed in countless International Ballet Competitions with several gold medal performances in Houlgate, France (1996); Geneva, Switzerland (1997); Grasse, France (1997); Nîmes, France. (1998). Astrid has danced professionally with Pennsylvania Ballet in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and was hired by the Royal Danish Ballet in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1999 where she performed in works by Bournonville, Balanchine, Peter Martins and others. Since her retirement from performing, Astrid moved to Los Angeles and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business. She was a Founding Board Member of the Los Angeles Ballet and has taught at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and at the “Everybody Dance!” Foundation.
	Miss Emira received her professional training at the State Middle School for Ballet and Music in Sarajevo, in the former Yugoslavia. She was trained in the Vaganova syllabus in Sarajevo and was awarded a scholarship to finish her studies in Mantua, Italy. On her graduation she was accepted into the corps de ballet of the National Theatre of Sarajevo, where she performed corps and soloist roles until the theater was closed by the war. Miss Emira is the mother of two young children.
	Miss Mimi has been performing since the age of 17. She has studied and performed with prestigious Israeli dance companies such as “Bat Sheva 2” and “Kol Demama”. She continued her dance training in New York City for ten years with the Martha Graham Ensemble. In 1989 she moved to Los Angeles where she danced with the “Pacific Dance Ensemble” and Karen McDonald’s “New Age” dance company. Mimi has owned a Pilates studio in Venice, California for the past 15 years and currently teaches at the Marat Daukayev School of Ballet.
	Mr. Luis began his ballet training with Alexander Zybin at Ballet Guadalajara, Mexico and at the Tallin Ballet Academy in Estonia. After moving to Los Angeles, he was honored to be chosen to dance the Grand Pax de Deux of the Graduation Ball for the famous Tatiana Riabouchinska, choreographed by her husband, David Lichine; it was to be the last performance before her death. Mr. Luis has danced many leading roles with the Asian American Ballet Company under Maestro Stephan Mucsi from the Budapest Opera, where he also studied choreography. Additionally, he has performed under Aivairs Leimanis at the National Opera of Riga, Latvia; and in Saint Petersburg, Russia, under Maestro Victor Korolkov. Currently, Mr. Luis teaches creative movement and intermediate technique for boys at the Marat Daukayev School of Ballet. He holds a dual Masters Degree in School Administration and Leadership.
	Miss Alla grew up in Russia where, beginning at age 6, she attended the ballet school of famous teacher and choreographer, Irene Timeh. After high school she was accepted into the Rostov-On-don performing arts school, studying to become a ballet instructor, choreographer, and director using the Vaganova technique. After graduating with a seal of outstanding achievement and excellence, Miss Alla continued her education at the Leningrad/St. Petersburg Art Academy of Krupskaya with the goal of becoming a director of cultural events, shows and competitions. With 30 years of experience in artistic directing, dance instruction, and choreography in classical Russian ballet, character, and international dance, Miss Alla imbues young performers with self-confidence through the joy of dance and increased self-expression. Many of her pupils have moved on to become professional dancers, teachers, and choreographers.
	Mr. César’s introduction to the world of dance came in his teenage years when he discovered Ballroom Dancing, which he continues today as both a performer and teacher. His formal ballet and modern dance training took place during his college years at the Institute of New Dance and Cultures. Under the direction of Ann Stabolespzy and Gayle Fekete, he earned a scholarship to study choreography with Rebecca Wright and ballet with George de la Peña, both soloists for ABT. Upon graduating with a BS in Biology, he continued to train in Ballet with Stephan Wenta before studying with Marat Daukayev in 1997. Since then, César has performed/collaborated with local artists and companies including Hae Kyung Lee and Rosanna Gamson World Wide. His work has been described as “Potent” by Victoria Looseleaf (L.A. Times) and a “Skilled Specialist” by Jennifer Fisher (L.A Times). His teaching experience includes ten years of Science education for Middle through High School. In addition he has worked for the Community Colleges of L.A. as a Dance Instructor. Cesar and his wife, Lilia, are the proud parents of a three year old son.

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