 |
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. |
 |
Mimi Wilheim 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. |
About Us | Marat | Faculty | Classes | Performances | Highlights | Adults | FAQ's
© 2007 Marat Daukayev School of Ballet