Festival Artists 2022
Masha Beck
Principal Dancer (USA)
Maria Beck was born in Detroit, Michigan and began studying ballet at the age of 6 with Valentina Barsukova. In 2008, at the YAGP she received a scholarship to study at the Kirov Ballet Academy in Washington where her teachers were Lyubov Fominich and Marianna Lobanova. In 2010, after the Bolshoi ballet academy summer intensive program in New York, she was invited to study at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography. After three years of studies under the dean of the academy, Marinna Leonova, Maria graduated in 2013 with a red diploma.
In 2013, Maria joined the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theatre and became first soloist the same year. In 2020, after her debut in Rudolph Nureyevs’ Don Quixote, Maria was announced principal dancer by Laurent Hilaire
Alexander Romanachov
Soloist (Russia)
Born in Krasnodar. Graduated from the Vaganova Ballet Academy in 2006. Joined the Mariinsky Theatre in 2006. In 2008 became a soloist of the theatre. Since 2006 Alexander has been a regular participant in such festival as "White nights", "Mariinsky", "Easter festival".
Constantly toures with the Mariinsky Theatre in USA, Japan, Germany, Great Britain, Austria, France, Brasil and others.
Madison Young
Principal Dancer (Germany)
Madison Young was born in Utah, USA. She received her education at Ballet West Academy and Houston Ballet Academy in Texas. After attending the Prix De Lausanne in 2016, upon receiving the Beau Riviage Palace 2nd place Award, she accepted an apprenticeship for Houston Ballet in the season 2016/17, where she was promoted to group dancer in 2017. For the season 2017/18 she joined the Wiener Staatsballet as a Corps de Ballet dancer under direction of Manuel Legris. In 2018 she was promoted to Soloist and in 2019 to First Soloist. With the beginning of the season 2020/21 she joined the Bayerisches Staatsballet as a First Soloist. In December 2021 she was promoted to Principal.
Festival Artists 2021
Alyona Kovalyova
Leading Soloist (Russia)
Born in Saint Petersburg. In 2016, she completed her training at Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet (teacher Yulia Kasenkova) with distinction and joined the Bolshoi Ballet Company. Her coach at the Bolshoi is Olga Chenchikova.
Among the parts danced during the education period: Eastern Dance (solo), Waltz (Nutcracker by P. Tchaikovsky, V. Vainonen version), Japanese Doll, the title part in Die Puppenfee by J. Bayer (choreography by N. and S. Legat, N. Tsiskaridze version), Soloist in Naina's Magical Gardens Scene from Ruslan and Lyudmila opera by M. Glinka (choreography by M. Fokine, N. Tsiskaridze version).
Julian Mackay
Principal Dancer (Russia)
Julian MacKay, age 23, from Montana, is the youngest Principal Dancer of the San Francisco Ballet. At the age of 11 he left rural Montana to train at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow Russia. Upon graduating he became the first American to receive a full Russian Diploma, having completed both the upper and lower school. While in school he medaled in five consecutive International Ballet Competitions, including the Prix de Lausanne and gold medals at the Istanbul IBC and YAGP along with bronze at Sochi Young Ballet of the World and the Beijing International Ballet Competition.
At 17, while still in school, he made his professional debut as Siegfried in Swan Lake with the Russian State Ballet in Berlin. Graduating top of his class he was hailed as a young "Apollo" by Russian dance critics, dancing numerous roles on the Bolshoi stage. At the age of 17 Julian joined The Royal Ballet in London, as their 2016 Prix de Lausanne prize winner. Eight months later, upon personal invitation from Mikhail Messerer, he joined The Mikhailovsky Theatre, St. Petersburg as a Second Soloist.
By 19 years old, MacKay was promoted to First Soloist after a thrilling performance in Flames of Paris, and has danced numerous principal roles worldwide. At the height of his time at the Mikhailovsky Theatre he became an International Guest Artist. Julian is fluent in Russian and has his Bachelors Degree as a Ballet Master and Choreographer from the prestigious GITIS University (Russian Institute of Theatre Arts), in Moscow, Russia.
Hee Seo
Principal Dancer (South Korea)
Hee Seo is a South Korean Principal Dancer at the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), one of the three leading classical ballet companies in the United States. She became the company's first Korean ballerina to be promoted to principal dancer in ABT's 75-year history. She is also one of the youngest dancers in ABT history to be promoted to principal at the age of just twenty-six. The New York Times has described her style and dancing to "exude an unhurried purity that sums up all that is lovely about ballet" and by Vogue as "unspeakably lissome". Several critics have noted her style as "lyrical and open" and she has been critically acclaimed for her "humility" and "unique feminine strength".
Seo began training her training in the Russian Vagonova style at the age of twelve, a relatively late start for a ballet dancer. Her mother, aunt, and grandmother all studied fine arts and she, along with her two older and younger brothers, studied piano and took swimming lessons. Seo’s talent was quickly noticed by her teachers and after only one year of professional training she was offered full scholarships to study abroad at prestigious ballet schools such as the Kirov Academy of Ballet, in Washington DC from where she graduated top of her class. She gained further notice by winning a scholarship at the 2003 Prix de Lausanne as well as the Grand Prix at the 2003 Youth America Grand Prix finals.
Upon joining ABT Seo was rapidly promoted from ABT Studio Company and joined the full company in May 2005. She was again quickly promoted into the corps de ballet in March 2006 and to soloist in August 2010 before being named as Principal dancer in July 2012 by Kevin McKenzie, the artistic director of ABT. During her time at ABT, she has performed numerous lead roles in classical and contemporary ballet.
Nadia Khan
Dancer with Roma Opera Ballet (Italy)
Born in Pray, Montana, at age 11, Nadia Khan left home to train at the prestigious Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington DC under the direction of Oleg Vinogradov. Being taught by Angelina Armeiskaya (star of movie "Children of Theatre Street"). She then moved to New York where she was privately trained by Prima Ballerina Assoluta Eva Evdokimova. Her final year of training was spent training one on one with Bolshoi star Masha Mukhamedov.
Nadia has been on the cover of Malaysia Tatler and Dance Informa Magazine as a "Dance Sensation". As well as being featured in an eight page spread in Singapore Tatler and The Washington Post. Starting her career with the Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich, she danced works from Neumeier, Cranko, Petipa, Kylián, Balanchine, Ashton, and Ray Barra. And was also chosen as part of new creations by Slava Samodurov and Terence Kohler. She went on to dance with the Leipziger Ballett in Leipzig. And Compañía Nacional de Danza in Madrid. Where she danced William Forsythe’s, “In The Middle Somewhat Elevated” as well as being part of Johan Inger’s creation, “Carmen”.
Since 2015 Nadia has been dancing in the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma under the direction of Paris Opera Etoile Eleonora Abbagnato. Nadia's repertoire highlights in Rome include Swan Lake by Christopher Wheeldon, the Spanish Princess & Mazurka soloist in Benjamin Pech’s Swan Lake and soloist roles in Johan Inger’s “Walking Mad”, Jiri Bubenicek’s “Carmen” and Sleeping Beauty. In 2020 Nadia was invited by Italian superstar Roberto Bolle to perform Alexander Ekman’s “Cacti” in his televised New Years Eve show on the number one Italian TV channel Rai Uno, which was broadcast internationally.
Nadia has been invited to dance in the American Embassy in Rome. And has been featured, along with her three siblings, in the Russian Icon’s Gala in the London Coliseum, as part of the world premiere of, “Warrior of Light”. A ballet about the artist, writer, archaeologist, theosophist, and philosopher, Nicholas Roerich. Since 2019 Nadia has performed in and, with her family, produced the Yellowstone International Arts Festival. An international arts festival in her home, Paradise Valley, featuring world class international artists from around the world.
Joshua Stewart
International Opera Singer (Germany)
A native of New Orleans, American tenor Joshua Stewart has been Praised for his compelling artistry and versatility. Recent appearances include Beethoven’s 9. Sinfonie with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Sir Simon Rattle; Zinovy in Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth of Mstensk and Lazarus in the world premiere of Giorgio Battistelli’s Wake at the Birmingham Opera Company, directed by Sir Graham Vick; his debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the role of the Narrator in Schumann’s Das Paradies und die Peri under the directional team of Gustavo Dudamel and Peter Sellars; Antenore in Zelmira with Gianluigi Gelmetti and Le nozze di Teti e di Peleo at the Belcanto Opera Festival „Rossini in Wildbad“. Upcoming performances include his debut at Seattle Opera in Charlie Parker’s Yardbird and a European tour of Tippett’s A Child of Our Time with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla.
Recent debuts include the title role in Charlie Parker’s Yardbird with the Atlanta Opera, Arizona Opera and Madison Opera, tenor soloist in Tippett’s A Child of Our Time with the RTVE Symphony Orchestra in Madrid, Trin in La Fanciulla del West at the Hamburg State Opera, Belmonte in Die Entführung aus dem Serail with Opera de Lausanne and Opera de Fribourg, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni with Toledo Opera, Arturo in Lucia di Lammermoor with Opera Carolina, Abdallo in Nabucco at the Oberammergau Passionstheater, as the tenor soloist in Carmina Burana with the Toledo Symphony, and as the Erzengel in Das Spiel von der Auferstehung des Herrn by Walter Braunfels with the Muenchner Rundfunkorchester. He also performed the Shepherd in Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex at the Baltic Sea Festival in Stockholm, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence and at the Royal Festival Hall in London under the musical direction of Esa-Pekka Salonen and directed by Peter Sellars.
Joshua Stewart is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and prizewinner in the 2013 International Voice Competition „Vokal genial“ and is a former member of the studio of Munich’s Bavarian State Opera, where he made his debut in 2012. He has performed in numerous festivals, received several awards, and worked with renowned conductors throughout the world, as well as having the honor of performing for several world leaders, including King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, the Honorable George H. W. Bush, the Honorable William J. Clinton, and the Honorable Barack H. Obama.
Lauren Lovette
Principal Dancer (USA)
Lauren Lovette is a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet and an acclaimed independent choreographer. In her time with the company she has earned both the Janice Levin Award and the Clive Barnes Award for dance.
She has created works for the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, American Ballet Theatre’s Studio Company, Paul Taylor Dance Company, among others. Her collaborators include musician Kate Davis, poet Andrea Gibson, and fashion designers Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim of Oscar de la Renta/MONSE, Zac Posen, Narciso Rodriguez and Victor Glemaud.
In 2019 Ms. Lovette was named Artist-in-Residence for Damian Woetzel’s prestigious Vail Dance Festival. In 2018, she was awarded a Virginia B. Toulmin Fellowship for Women Leaders in Dance at The Center for Ballet and the Arts at New York University.
Since December 2018, Ms. Lovette has served as Artistic Chair of the Board of Groove With Me, an organization that offers hundreds of young women free dance and movement classes, with the goal of providing a safe and nurturing environment in which to practice self-expression and explore potential.
Carlo di Lanno
Principal Dancer (Italy)
Carlo di Lanno is a former Principal Dancer of the San Francisco Ballet and the Dresden Semperoper Ballet in Germany. He began his studies at the age of 9 at the Teatro di San Carlo. At age 15 he moved to Milan to continue his studies at the prestigious Accademia Teatro alla Scala. Upon graduating he was invited to join the corps de ballet of Teatro alla Scala where he was quickly chosen to perform Principal roles including with famed Bolshoi Ballet Prima Ballerina Svetlana Zakharova. He subsequently joined the Staatsballett Berlin where he danced a variety of soloist and principal roles, including: Siegfried in Nureyev's Swan Lake, Basilio in Nureyev’s Don Quixote, the lead role in Diamonds by Balanchine and principal roles in Concerto DSCH and Russian Seasons by Ratmansky and Pink Floyd Ballet by Roland Petit. In 2016 he joined the San Francisco Ballet as a soloist and was quickly promoted to Principal Dancer. During his time with SFB, he worked closely with choreographers in creation of new works, such as: Forsythe’s Pas/Parts 2016; Thatcher’s Frayed, Painting Greys and Ghost in the Machine; Bubenicek’s Fragile Vessels; Millepied’s The Chairman Dances; Dawson’s Anima Animus; Welch’s Bespoke; Wheeldon’s Bound. In 2020, he joined the Dresden Semperoper Ballett as a Principal Dancer.
In March of 2015 he was named Best Emerging Artist at the Premio Danza&Danza, and won The Eleventh International Competition for the Erik Bruhn Prize in Toronto, Canada. In 2014 he was named Italian Classical Dancer of the Year at Positano Premia la Danza Léonide Massine in Positano, Italy.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts at Saint Mary's College of California, and starting September of 2021 will be pursuing his Masters Degree in Business from Stanford University, in California.
Maria Sascha Khan
Principal Dancer (London)
Born in Pray, Montana, USA, from a young age Maria Sascha has been passionate about helping and inspiring others through the Beauty of the Arts.
Maria Sascha is from a family of artists. All of her siblings were born and raised in Montana. Hailed as “the most influential ballet family of our time” by London dance critics and “ballet treasures” by the Washington Post, they are passionate about bringing this international acclaim back to where it all began.
Maria Sascha's career has taken her across the globe to the stages of the world, including as a Principal Dancer in Russia.
Along with her performing career, Maria Sascha is Artistic Director of Ballet Legacy Master Classes worldwide, a Mentor for non-profit arts organisation Youth Arts in Action, and an ambassador for London based charity Save Wild Tigers. She is a passionate advocate and cultural ambassador for the arts, including working with the UNESCO International Dance Council. She is currently undertaking her Masters Degree in Arts and Cultural Enterprise at Central Saint Martins, in London.
Jinhao Zhang
Principal Dancer (China)
Jinhao Zhang is a Chinese-born Principal dancer with the Bayerisches Staatsballet in Munich, Germany, and also a graduate of Tongji University, one of the top universities in China. He attended boarding school to study classical ballet since he was 8 years old, competing in competitions that took him out of China as a young teenager to locations such as South Africa, Hong Kong, and Las Vegas. He eventually moved to Shanghai to attend Tongji University and complete his Bachelors before joining the English National Ballet in 2014. At ENB he had the opportunity to dance at more international locations, including performing principal roles in Le Corsaire on the Palais Garnier ( Paris Opera) stage. In 2017 he joined the Bayerisches Staatsballett as a Soloist and was quickly chosen in his first season to perform principal roles such as Crassus in Grigorovich’s Spartacus and Jean de Brienne in Barra's Raymonda. Jinhao was promoted to First Soloist in 2018 and danced more principal roles such as the Principal Couple in Diamonds of Balanchine's Jewels, Albrecht in Wright's Giselle, and the role of Wronski in Spuck’s Anna Karenina.
Jinhao was also a prize winner at Prix de Lausanne in 2013, winner of the Emerging Dancer competition in 2015, won silver medal in 2016 at the Beijing International Ballet and Choreography Competition (BIBCC), and won the "Best Choreography" award at the BIBCC the same year. He was created on for the murderous role of Richard Ramirez in Andrey Kaydanovskiy’s Cecil Hotel and was in the creation of works with Azsure Barton, Akram Khan, and Annabelle Ochoa.
Recently, Jinhao was filmed performing Siegfried for Bayerisches Staatsballett's online stream of Barra's Swan Lake, as well as their online stream of Maliphant's Broken Fall alongside fiancée Jeanette Kakareka and a pas de deux from the late Scarlett's With A Chance of Rain.
Jeanette Kakareka
Soloist (Germany)
Jeanette Kakareka is a Pennsylvania-born Soloist of the Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich, Germany. She was originally trained at the Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia where she competed as a NYC finalist at the Youth America Grand Prix for several years before being invited to join as a trainee with the San Francisco Ballet School. After three years, she moved abroad to London to dance with the English National Ballet, which took her to stages around the world such as Tokyo, Singapore, Beijing, and the Palais Garnier in Paris. She had her premiere as a Lead Swan in Deane's Swan Lake in Barcelona, Spain at the Gran Teatre del Liceu and went on to perform it on the 360 degree stage of the Royal Albert Hall.
Since coming to the Bayerisches Staatsballett Jeanette has danced a wide variety of roles, including 2nd Principal Couple in Emeralds at the Munich premiere of Balanchine's Jewels, "Weiss Dame"--a principal role in Ray Barra's Raymonda alongside Sergei Polunin, Manon Lescaut in John Neumeier's Lady of the Camellias, the Queen of the Dryads solo in Ray Barra's Don Quixote, and Lead Swans in Barra's Swan Lake. She has been in the creations of works with choreographers such as Andrey Kaydanovskiy, Akram Khan, and Annabelle Ochoa and performed the masterpiece that is Pina Bausch's Le Sacre du Printemps. Jeanette was nominated as Emerging Dancer finalist at the English National Ballet in both 2015 and 2016 and was coached in the role of Giselle by Sir Peter Wright himself for guesting shows of Giselle at the Hammond School.
Recently, Jeanette premiered in Russell Maliphant's Broken Fall in the role made on Sylvie Guillem in 2003, as well danced in livestream evenings performing her Emeralds solo and a pas de deux from Wayne McGregor's Kairos. She will be dancing with her real-life fiancé, Jinhao Zhang, for the festival evening.
Zachary Catazaro
Principal Dancer (USA)
Zachary Catazaro was born in Canton, Ohio, and began his dance training at the School of Canton Ballet under Cassandra Crowley, Angelo Lemmo, and his mother, Jennifer Catazaro Hayward. Mr. Catazaro studied at the School of American Ballet, the official school of the New York City Ballet, in 2006. There he received mentorship from former New York City Ballet Principal Dancers Jock Soto and Sean Lavery. In October 2007, he became an apprentice with New York City Ballet and joined the Company’s Corps de Ballet in October 2008. He was promoted to Soloist in February 2014 and elevated to Principal Dancer in 2017. Notable featured roles at New York City Ballet include the title role in George Balanchine’s Apollo, Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux, Romeo in Peter Martins’ production of Romeo + Juliet, and Prince Siegfried in Martins’ full-length production Swan Lake, among many others. Mr. Catazaro has also been featured in Jerome Robbins’ West Side Story Suite as Tony and Bernardo and performed in Robbins’ Dances at a Gathering and NY Export: Opus Jazz. In 2018 he was featured in Walt Disney’s feature film The Nutcracker and the Four Realms dancing with American Ballet Theater’s Misty Copeland. He has recently been a principal guest artist at Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich and Rome Opera Ballet. In 2021, Mr. Catazaro joined the Cleveland Ballet by invitation from its Artistic Director, Gladisa Guadalupe.
John Hanifin
Cellist (USA)
John Hanifin — cellist, singer-songwriter & producer enjoys a diverse musical career. His repertoire spans across centuries and genres, from period-instrument performances of the early baroque to contemporary works and collaborations with popular artists, film-score composers & symphonies. John began his study of cello at the age of seven with Boris Kogan. John's childhood was supported by his mother who studied ballet for many years along with his father who was a classically trained guitarist. In high school, John was sponsored by the Five College, Early Music Program and studied both cello and viola de gamba. At age sixteen, John made his conducting debut in Venice, Italy and upon graduation received the National Orchestra Award. While an undergraduate at The Boston Conservatory of Music at Berklee, John was named a Jephson Educational Trust Scholar. Throughout his undergraduate degree, John studied with both Rhonda Rider and Andrew Mark. In his Junior year, John debuted as a soloist in a performance at Belcourt Castle in Newport, Rhode Island. Wishing to pursue a career as a conductor, John founded the Eclipse Symphony Orchestra which debuted in Boston in 2009.
At conservatory, John received multiple scholarships to summer programs where he was asked to be both assistant coach and cello instructor. John received The Bachelor of Music Degree from The Boston Conservatory of Music in 2010. In the fall of 2010, John was accepted to and named an Ambassador of the Longy School of Music of Bard College, where he continued his graduate study of cello performance under Boston Symphony cellist, Mihail Jojatu. Hanifin was awarded The Masters of Music Degree in 2012. Following his Masters Degree, John began John Hanifin Band. A group of extremely diverse musicians performing through out the country. While operating John Hanifin Band, John received endorsements from NS Design, D’Addario Strings, Rutman Strings, Coda Bows & Takamine Guitars. In 2016 John was asked to be a featured soloist in Joel A. Martins “Footsteps of Mandela”. Hanifin began 2021 by releasing his first published solo cello composition entitled “Wenonah” followed closely by a collaboration Hanifin produced for artist “DSharp” which premiered on YouTube in July of 2021 entitled “Crossroads”. John used both “Crossroads” & his solo arrangement of “Ave Maria” to launch his newest venture and production company, ONE7SEVEN Productions. Hanifin continues to work on the completion of his first cello concerto which will be completed by the end of 2021. Hanifin continues to operate a successful private studio of cellists from around the globe.
Native American Drummers & Dancers
YIAF 2021 will feature Native American drummers and dancers. Foremost among those are Valor and Chitat Killsback of the Northern Cheyenne tribe. This brother duo come from a family of dancers and from a young age were immersed in the world of their traditional history and storytelling through dance. Both their mother and father are professional dancers and would bring their sons along to pow-pows where the young boys soon learned to dance. Valor is in his third year at MSU in Bozeman and is majoring in Philosophy. Chitat will be a senior in high school this fall and also plans to attend MSU. They will perform a mix a traditional war dances, fancy dancing and grass dancing.
Young Talent 2021
Isaac Hall
USA
Isaac is a Baritone studying with Mark Oswald at Manhattan School of Music in New York City, and has just completed his freshman year. Despite all the restrictions in place for education and socializing this year, he believes he had a great education and made great friends. Isaac is confident that his experiences the past year and a half will make him a stronger person in every facet of life.
Isaac was born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, and is glad to be back for the summer. He enjoys the easy access to the outdoors that Bozeman offers, hiking multiple times a week and spending time with friends in the abundance of parks. As a senior in high school, while a student of Douglas Nagel, Isaac placed first in the NATS competition for the state of Montana. Isaac first performed as part of the Yellowstone International Arts Festival in 2019, where his talent captured the attention of YIAF Artist Joshua Stewart, who mentored him for that year’s performance. He recently performed at the Yellowstone International Arts Festival as part of the “Fairy Tea for the Arts - Waters of Life” and is honoured to once more be performing as part of the the Yellowstone International Arts Festival “Feel the Freedom” Young Talent section. Joshua will be singing a duet together with YIAF Artists Joshua Stewart.
Josh Fisk
USA
Josh Fisk of Helena, Montana, began dancing at 14. While a student he danced the role of the Nutcracker Prince and performed as a guest artist at the San Clemente Dance & Performing Arts Center in San Clemente, California. In March 2018, Josh participated in the Universal Ballet competition in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended summer intensives at Houston Ballet, and the Royal Ballet School in London, England. In March 2019, Josh was accepted to the English National Ballet School (ENBS), a specialist training center for ballet dancers aged 16 to 19, in London, England.
He began his studies in September 2019 under the direction of Director of Dance, Viviana Durante, former star of the Royal Ballet. In his first performance as a student at ENBS Josh had a leading role in Andrew McNichol’s “Splendour.” Although the 2019-2020 school year was interrupted by Covid-19, ENBS created an online performance in which Josh danced in Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s “ Memorias del Dorado”. During the 2020-2021 school year Josh was once again chosen by choreographer Andrew McNicol to feature in his ballet “Of Space and Time” for ENBS’s winter showcase. As one of the Yellowstone International Arts Festival featured “Young Talents” Josh will be performing a world premiere which has been choreographed on him by choreographer Alisher Hasanov of Kazakhstan.
Festival Artists 2020
Maria Sascha Khan
Artistic Director
Born in Pray, Montana, USA, from a young age Maria Sascha has been passionate about helping and inspiring others through the Beauty of the Arts.
Maris Sascha is from a family of artists. All of her siblings were born and raised in Montana. Hailed as “the most influential ballet family of our time” by London dance critics and “ballet treasures” by the Washington Post, they are passionate about bringing this international acclaim back to where it all began.
Maria Sascha's career has taken her across the globe to the stages of the world, including as a Principal Dancer in Russia.
Along with her performing career, Maria Sascha is Artistic Director of Ballet Legacy Master Classes worldwide, a Mentor for non-profit arts organisation Youth Arts in Action, and an ambassador for London based charity Save Wild Tigers. She is a passionate advocate and cultural ambassador for the arts, including working with the UNESCO International Dance Council. She is currently undertaking her Masters Degree in Arts and Cultural Enterprise at Central Saint Martins, in London.
Julian Mackay
Julian MacKay, age 22, from Montana, is the youngest Principal Dancer of the San Francisco Ballet. At the age of 11 he left rural Montana to train at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow Russia. Upon graduating he became the first American to receive a full Russian Diploma, having completed both the upper and lower school. While in school he medaled in five consecutive International Ballet Competitions, including the Prix de Lausanne and gold medals at the Istanbul IBC and YAGP along with bronze at Sochi Young Ballet of the World and the Beijing International Ballet Competition.
At 17, while still in school, he made his professional debut as Siegfried in Swan Lake with the Russian State Ballet in Berlin. Graduating top of his class he was hailed as a young "Apollo" by Russian dance critics, dancing numerous roles on the Bolshoi stage. At the age of 17 Julian joined The Royal Ballet in London, as their 2016 Prix de Lausanne prize winner. Eight months later, upon personal invitation from Mikhail Messerer, he joined The Mikhailovsky Theatre, St. Petersburg as a Second Soloist.
By 19 years old, MacKay was promoted to First Soloist after a thrilling performance in Flames of Paris, and has danced numerous principal roles worldwide.
At the height of his time at the Mikhailovsky Theatre he became an International Guest Artist.
Julian is fluent in Russian and has his Bachelors Degree as a Ballet Master and Choreographer from the prestigious GITIS University (Russian Institute of Theatre Arts), in Moscow, Russia.
Nina Kotova
The Russian-American cellist Nina Kotova, has been praised by Gramophone as a “strong and individual artist” and by the Los Angeles Times as “a talent to reckon with - poised, committed, graceful and spirited.”
Ms. Kotova has been internationally recognized as one of the outstanding instrumentalists of her generation. She has performed as a soloist with symphony orchestras across the globe and has repeatedly toured the UK, Europe, Asia and the US. Nina Kotova began cello studies at six and studied at the Moscow Conservatory and graduated from the Musikhochschule in Cologne. She gave her first performance as a soloist with orchestra at age 11 in the Soviet Union.
Ms. Kotova has performed in Red Square in Moscow, for the Imperial family of Japan and at Buckingham Palace. She has appeared in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, at Town Hall and Carnegie Hall in NewYork, Wigmore Hall, the Barbican Centre in London, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Berlin Philharmonic, to name a few.
Barrett Wissman
Barrett Wissman, entrepreneur, philanthropist and concert pianist is the Chairman of IMG Artists Worldwide. IMG Artists represents over 500 artists, arts organizations and companies, in addition to founding and operating festivals and working with non- profit arts organizations around the globe. Barrett’s commitment to music began at an early age with serious piano studies. He made several debuts as a concert pianist with prominent orchestras from the age of 11 and won several national and international competitions thereafter. He graduated cum laude from Yale University in economics and political science and went on to receive graduate degrees in music from Southern Methodist University and the Accademia Chigiana in Italy.
Mr. Wissman founded the Festival del Sole in Cortona, Italy, Festival Napa Valley as well as the Singapore Sun Festival in Singapore, The Palm Springs Life Festival in the Coachella Valley and the Placido Domingo Festival in Seville Spain, which have all celebrated the performing, visual and culinary arts as well as theatre, dance and wellness.
As part of his work in the arts, Barrett Wissman has collaborated with such great artists and luminaries as Robert Redford, Jeremy Irons, Placido Domingo, Sophia Loren, Anthony Hopkins, Sting, Renee Fleming, John Malkovich, Robert De Niro and many others as a producer and collaborator.
Christine Shevchenko
Principal Dancer of American Ballet Theatre, Christine Shevchenko was born in Odessa, Ukraine where she trained in rhythmic gymnastics and ballet at an Olympic School. At the age of eight, she moved to the United States. Shevchenko danced the children’s lead in Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker for three years, and was featured in the NBC special “Degas and the Dance”. In 2002 she was invited to perform with International Ballet Theatre Company’s “Stars of Kirov, Bolshoi and Ukrainian Ballet”.
In 2003, Shevchenko became the youngest recipient of the Princess Grace Award. Other awards include a Bronze Medal in the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, 2005 Gold Medal and Title of Laureate at the Moscow International Ballet Competition, the George Zoritch of Ballet Russe Award for Talent Recognition and the 2010 Margaret Moore Dance Award. In August 2006, Shevchenko joined American Ballet Theatre’s Studio Company. She joined American Ballet Theatre in December 2007 and was promoted to the rank of Principal Dancer in September 2017.
Nadia Khan
Born in Pray, Montana, Nadia Khan was trained by Prima Ballerina Assoluta Eva Evdokimova, Angelina Armeiskaya (star of movie "Children of Theatre Street") and Bolshoi star Masha Mukhamedov. Khan has been featured on the cover of Malaysia Tatler and Dance Informa as a "Dance Sensation" along with a Singapore Tatler eight page spread. Starting her career with the Bayerisches Staatsballett, in Munich, Germany, she went on to dance with the Leipziger Ballett, in Leipzig Germany and Compañía Nacional de Danza, in Madrid, Spain.
Since 2015 Nadia has been dancing in the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma (Rome Opera Ballet) under the direction of Paris Opera Etoile Eleonora Abbagnato where she is their only non-Italian ballerina. Nadia's repertoire highlights include Swan Lake, Giselle, Don Quixote, Forsythe's In the Middle Somewhat Elevated and Artifact, Roland Petit's La Chauve Souris, Alexander Ekhman's Cactus and Cranko's Taming of the Shrew.
Beckanne Sisk
Principal Dancer, Beckanne Sisk began her ballet training with Longview Ballet Theater at the age of 5. She studied there until age thirteen when she moved to Philadelphia, PA to attend The Rock School for Dance Education on scholarship. While there, Miss Sisk won the Jerome Robbins award in 2007, and competed at the Youth America Grand Prix from 2007-2010, placing in 1st and 3rd. In 2010, at age 17, Adam Sklute invited her to join Ballet West II, after seeing her compete at YAGP. After one year in Ballet West II she joined the main company. In 2015 Miss Sisk was promoted to the rank of Principal Dancer. She has performed the female principal roles in Anna Marie Holmes’ Don Quixote, John Cranko's Romeo and Juliet and Onegin, as well as Adam Sklute’s adaptations of Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake.
Sisk has been noticed by The Washington Post in William Christensen's The Nutcracker, "one of the most charming and beguiling ballerinas to embody the role in recent memory. She was every bit the fairy-tale queen of one's dreams - regal but warm, expressive but subtly so, who sustained her balances as if mere air held her up, and yet paradoxically, her dominant quality was softness". Her performance in Cranko's Onegin was recognized by Pointe Magazine as one of the Standout Performances of 2019. She has since become an international guest star. In addition to her dancing, Miss Sisk was featured on the CW’s Breaking Pointe television show for two seasons and has appeared in Mexico Vogue.
Chase O’Connell
Principal dancer Chase O’Connell was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia. At 13, he received a scholarship to train at the Kirov Academy of Washington, D.C. He studied under Vladimir Djoulouhadze and Anatoli Kucheruk from 2007 to 2009. In 2009 he received a scholarship to train at the Royal Ballet School in London, England. There, he studied under Meelis Pakri and David Peden. While at school he had the privilege to perform with English National Ballet in their 2010 Nutcracker.
After studying at the Royal Ballet School for 2 years Chase joined the world-renowned Paris Opera Ballet to perform in their production of Cinderella. In 2012 he began his contract with Ballet West II. He was promoted to the main company in 2013 and to the rank of Principal Dancer in 2016.
While at Ballet West he has performed prinicpial roles in ballets by John Cranko, Frederick Ashton, Balanchine, Jiri Kylian, Jerome Robbins, Nicolo Fonte, Stanton Welch and Adam Sklute. As well as contemporary principal roles created on him by Nicolo Fonte, Edward Liang, Africa Guzman and Val Caniparoli.
Chase has danced in Galas internationally and his performance in Onegin was one of Pointe Magazines top performances in 2019. “He is a dynamic dancer, the consummate prince, and a caring patner to his ballerinas.” Adam Sklute
Alisher Khasanov
Alisher Khasanov is an award-winning Choreographer and Director of the 11th International Choreography Competition and the First Russian Folk Dance Competition, in Moscow, Russia. He is the artistic director and inspiration behind the theatre movement 'Mime- Orchestra". Mr. Khasanov has degrees both from the School of Choreography, in Almaty, Khazakstan, and the prestigious Russian Academy of Theater Arts (GITIS), in Moscow Russia.
After working as a dancer both in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Mr. Khasanov turned to directing. As a choreographer, he participated in various international projects, including the Center of Dramatic Arts in Shanghai, International Chekhov Festival and the 'Gesher' Theater Israel. He has choreographed productions for theatres, such as the Bolshoi Theater in Russia, Opera and Ballet Theater Chelyabinsk and many others. He was the choreographer for the Russian National figure skating team and the Artistic Director of Tzvetnoy Bulvard Circus, touring both England and Japan. From 2002 to 2009 Alisher Khasanov was the head choreographer and the artistic director of Moscow Children's Music and Drama Theater.
He continues to create performance and competition pieces, for artists around the world and is excited to be in Montana for the first time! Tonight will showcase two world premieres! His all new original solo “Rain" & Bach solo especially choreographed for the Yellowstone International Arts Festival.
Young Talent 2020
Josh Fisk
Josh Fisk of Helena, Montana, started dancing three years ago at age 14. While a student he danced the role of the Nutcracker Prince in 2017 and 2018, as well as performing as a guest artist at the San Clemente Dance & Performing Arts Center in San Clemente, California.
In March 2018, Josh participated in
the Universal Ballet competition in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended summer intensives at Houston Ballet,
and the Royal Ballet School in London, England. In March 2019, Josh was accepted to the English National Ballet School (ENBS), a specialist training center for ballet dancers aged 16 to 19, in London, England. He began his studies in September 2019 under the direction of Director of Dance, Viviana Durante, former star of the Royal Ballet. In his first performance as a student at ENBS Josh had a leading role in Andrew McNichol’s “Splendour.” Although the 2019-2020 school year was interrupted by Covid-19, ENBS created an online performance in which Josh danced in Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s “ Memorias del Dorado”.
Samuel L. Siskind
Actor, composer and vocalist Samuel L. Siskind landed the Youth Principal role of Sem in the LA Opera’s production of Benjamin Britten's "Noye's Fludde” at 10 years old.
Winner Best Performance in a Musical as Brett in Children's Letter's to God at Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Center NY 2019, Nominated Best Actor in his first film Little Angel by the Official Latino Film Festival 2018.
Featured in three supporting roles in the art-house thriller "The Uncanny" (2020), including a vocal solo of "Panis Angelicus" for the plot climax scene.
At the age of 12 Samuel completed his first major classical composition entitled “THE FOREST,” a three part choral work for voice and piano.
The Forest had it’s worldwide premier at Carnegie Hall May 2019 and the National Children’s Chorus took it on tour in Asia that summer.
Jaden Grimm
Jaden Grimm grew up in a small mountain town in Colorado. At age 13, she left her home and her family to pursue her dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer, training in the pre-professional program at Master Ballet Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona. During her time there, Jaden danced soloist roles in many Phoenix Ballet productions, received recognition at international competitions, and performed in international galas. In September 2019, Jaden
moved to St. Petersburg, Russia as one of the few Americans invited to train at the renowned Vaganova Ballet Academy.
Some of her accomplishments include, international trainee at Vaganova Ballet Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia, USA IBC
2018, YAGP Silver Medalist & NYC Finalist 2017-2019, YAGP 1st Place Pas De Deux 2018, People’s Choice Award Recipient at Arizona Young Artists' Competition 2019, ADC IBC Award Winner 2019, Grishko World Ambassador 2020.
Heath Voy
Heath Voy, Montana, USA first found his passion for dance at age 10. Attending summer intensives at Harid Conservatory, Kirov Academy of Ballet and the Los Angeles Ballet School, he then moved to Florida to study full time at the Harid Conservatory.
In 2019 Heath was invited to attend the Vaganova Academy in
Saint Petersburg, Russia, making history as the second Montanan to ever attend the school. He was quickly singled out as one of the few international students to perform in the Vagonova Ballet Academy’s production of The Nutcracker on the historic Mariinsky Theatre stage. Heath is a “Ballet Legacy Master Classes”2019 scholarship recipient and has been mentored by Youth Arts in Action. He has performed in full length ballets such as Giselle, The Nutcracker, and Raymonda, and variations from Swan Lake, Giselle, Flower Festival in Genzano, The Nutcracker, Laurencia, Coppélia, Raymonda, Paquita, and Don Quixote.
Isaac Hall
Isaac Hall performed at the premier of the Yellowstone International Arts Festival, Fairy Tea for the Arts, under the tutelage of Youth Arts in Action mentor, Joshua Stewart. Joshua’s performance at last years Festival proved a great inspiration to Isaac, encouraging him to go on and pursue his dream of becoming a profestional singer.
Isaac has just graduated from Bozeman High School with the class of 2020. Despite having to fall back to remote learning this spring, he knows that he received a great education and was given opportunities not available to many students elsewhere in the country. This coming fall Isaac will be attending Manhattan School of Music in New York City, and looks forward to being surrounded by so much culture.
Isaac will be performing An Die Musik by Schubert, When I think Upon the Maidens by Head, and Cabin from Bowles’ Blue Mountain Ballads.
2021 tickets are now on sale!
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