TEACHERS
Desiree Subotic Artistic Director
Former professional dancer, master teacher, and choreographer. As a co-founder
of Mystic Ballet, she has been responsible for the growth and development of
the Academy of Ballet & Performing Arts, School of Mystic Ballet, and Mystic
Ballet Company. In her career as a dance pedagogue, Mrs. Subotic was fortunate
to have the opportunity to study under and work closely with Madam Alla Osipenko,
on creating unique training programs and progressive syllabus. As a chorographer
Mrs. Subotic created on her own, or in collaboration numerous new works including
six full length ballets: Snow White, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Alice In
Wonderland, Coppelia, and Peter Pan, winning great praise from critics for her
works.
Sergei Vanaev Assistant Artstic Director, Resident Choreographer
Sergei Vanaev is recognized internationally as an accomplished dancer, teacher
and Artistic Director. He assumed the position of Assistant Artistic Director
and Resident Choreographer of Mystic Ballet and the School of Mystic Ballet
in 2007.
Born in Russia, Vanaev began his dance training at the age of ten with the Bolshoi
Ballet Academy in Moscow. In 1985, he graduated with Masters and honors. At
the age of eighteen, he launched his dance career and immediately began performing
soloist and principal roles, with Moscow Classical Ballet for six years. In
1991, Vanaev moved to Germany where he performed with Deutsche Opera Rhein in
Dusseldorf, Oper Der Sadt Bonn, Theater Der Stadt Dortmund - where he held the
position of principal dancer for eleven years. During Vanaev's performance career
his vast repertoire ranged from classical to contemporary works. In 2002, Vanaev
was appointed ballet master and co-director of the Theater Dortmund, Germany.
In 2004, Vanaev was appointed Artistic Director of Stadttheater Bremerhaven
Ballet, Germany. As Artistic Director of Bremerhaven Ballet, Vanaev has defined
the Company's image with his own classical and neo-classical works, ranging
from full-length ballets to contemporary works and world premiers. As a guest
choreographer his works are performed throughout Europe, North America, and
Japan.
As Assistant Artistic Director, Vanaev will create numerous world premieres
for Mystic Ballet during his tenure as Resident Choreographer. He will also
stage various works for the Company and work with Mystic Ballet School, teaching
classical ballet, partnering, modern and choreography.
Vanessa Duarte da Silva Company Ballet Mistress
Ms. Duarte da Silva began her dance career in her native Brazil, studying at
the Especial Academy of Dance-Sao Paulo, Brazil where she graduated in1998.
During her training, Duarte da Silva was awarded Best Young Dancer of Sao Paulo
(1996), and Best Soloist Dancer in Sao Paulo (1998), among other awards. In
1998, Duarte da Silva joined Especial Dance Company- Sao Paulo, Brazil as soloist,
where she performed the classics such as "Don Quixote" as Kitri and
Mercedes; "Sleeping Beauty" as Aurora; "La Bayadère"
as Nikiya; "Swan Lake" as Odette/Odile. Her repertory also includes
a vast array of modern and contemporary pieces. In 2000, she was awarded at
the Brasilia International Dance Festival with a scholarship to Akademie Des
Tanzes-Manheim,Germany under the direction of Birgit Keil, where she graduated
with her masters. In 2003, Duarte da Silva joined Ballett Dresden-SemperOper,
where she performed, beyond the classic productions, "Illusions, like Swan
Lake", "Midsummer's Night Dream" and "The Nutcracker".
She also performed with Mark Sieczkaredk Dance Co. - Essen, and Stadttheater
Bremerhaven Ballet. In 2004-06, Duarte da Silva worked for the Young Theater
Group from Stadttheater Bremerhaven, Tapst-Tanzpädagogisches Projekt Schultanz,
as an assistant and choreographer for their theater productions. During her
tenure as Ballet Mistress she will stage various works for the company and work
with the School of Mystic Ballet, teaching classical ballet, variations, modern
and character.
Denise Grothman Principal Company Teacher
Originaly from Connecticut, at the age of twelve she was invited to study at
the School of American Ballet in New York City. Denise studied at SAB for seven
years under the direction of George Balanchine and Peter Martins. After graduating
in 1988, she became a member of American Ballet Theatre under the leadership
of Mikhail Baryshnikov. In her twelve years at ABT, she performed in all of
the full length ballets including Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty,
Don Quixote, La Bayadere, Cinderella, Othello, Coppelia, and the Nutcracker
Suite, at major venues throughout the United States and the world including
theaters in Tokyo, Athens, Paris, London, Madrid, Palermo, Genoa, Vienna, Copenhagen,
Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, and Istanbul. Mrs. Grothman worked with
such notable choreographers as Twyla Tharp, Lar Lubovich, John Neumiere, Agnes
De Mille, Glen Tetley and Natalia Makarova. Teaching: Ballet Technique, Pointe,
Variations.
Alexander Brady Master Teacher
Alexander Brady started his training at the Boston School of Ballet, and continued
his educaton, at the School of American Ballet. During his extensive dance career,
Brady has danced with the Joffrey Ballet under artistic leadership of Gerald
Arpino, Miami City Ballet as a Soloist, and Twyla Tharp Dance. Brady was an
original cast member of the Broadway production of "Movin Out" where
he danced in the ensemble as well as the role of "James". He as also
worked as Rehearsal Director for Twyla Tharp Dance, as well as Assistant Choreographer
for "the Times they are a Changin'", Choreographed and Directed by
Twyla Tharp. He will also be appearing in the film " Across the Universe"
directed by Julie Taymor. As a pedagogue, Brady has worked as an assistant and
right hand of Edward Villella at the School of Miami City Ballet. Teaching:
Ballet Technique, Partnering, Variations, and mens class.
Evgeniy Krasowski Teacher
Originally from Moscow, Russia. He studied classical and modern dance at the
Moscow State University of Arts and continued his studies at Frankfurt College
of Musik and Performing Arts. For the past ten years he has been dancing in
Russia, Germany and USA: Free Ballet Moscow, Schiller Theater NRW, Festival
Ballet Providence, Deutsche Oper am Rein and Theater Dortmund. His credits include
solo roles in classical ballets “Swan Lake" and “Nutcracker”,
musicals such as “West Side Story” and “Cabaret”, to name
a few. He also received critical acclaim for his choreography "Flashback"at
Dortmund, Germany.
Michael Hall Master Teacher
American born and trained, Hall was a soloist for 16 years with Tanz-Forum.
A Modern and Jazz instructor for the Ballet Academy of Cologne. As a choreographer,
he is working in Germany with Ballettschule International, Bonn.
Lara DeSouza Ballet Instructor
From Stonigton CT, received ballet training at Dance Palace since 1995. Joined
Mystic Ballet in 2005. She performed leading roles in , Snow White, Peter Pan,
Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Coppelia, Giselle, Acceleration, Firebird,
Swan Lake. Teaching: Pre-Ballet Division.
Jessica Dennison Ballet Instructor
A Stonington native, received ballet training at Dance Palace since 2000, and
joined Mystic Ballet in 2004. Performing leading roles in Wind in Your Hair,
Snow White, Giselle, Peter Pan, Acceleration Firebird, Swan Lake, and as a soloist
created the role of Step Sister in Cinderella. Teaching: Pre-Ballet Division.
Cary McGuire Ballet Instructor
Originally from Wewterly RI, received ballet training at Dance Palace since
2000. Joined Mystic Ballet in 2002. Her classical repertoire includes Swan Lake,
Giselle, Alice in Wonderland, Wind in Your Hair, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella,
Coppelia, Peter Pan, Acceleration, and as a soloist created the role of Snow
White in Snow White. Teaching: Pre-Ballet Division.
Brianne Taylor Ballet Instructor
A Stonington native, received ballet training at Dance Palace since 2000, and
joined Mystic Ballet in 2002. Performing leading roles in Wind in Your Hair,
Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, The Little Mermaid, Coppelia, Cinderella, Acceleration
and as a soloist created the role of Twin Lost Boy in Peter Pan, and Giselle
in Giselle. In 2007, Taylor was accepted to prestigous American Ballet Theater
Collegiate Summer Program in New York. Teaching: Pre-Ballet Division, Ballet
technique & Jazz
