Who we are
Denis Gronostayskiy is a distinguished graduate of the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia, and honored as an Artist of Distinction in the United States. He has danced as a Principal Dancer with the Moscow Renaissance Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet Theatre, Richmond Ballet, and International Ballet Classique, among others, performing extensively throughout Europe, Japan, and the United States. He has performed leading roles in major classical ballets including Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Coppélia, The Nutcracker, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, and Sleeping Beauty, as well as works by George Balanchine and contemporary choreographers such as Kirk Peterson, J. Butler, Malcolm Burn, Vicente Nebrada, and Christopher Connor. Denis loves to train aspiring dancers of all levels in a nurturing, fun and disciplined environment. His students have won national awards and scholarships at prestigious colleges. Denis received Outstanding Teacher Award from YAGP and has choreographed full-length productions such as Coppélia, The Nutcracker, Giselle, Walpurgis Night, Swan Lake Act II, Paquita, and more. His artistic talents extend to scenic and prop design, building maintenance, production management, and professional photography/videography for dance and headshot portfolios www.gron.smugmug.com. He also creates digital content for social media and writing books.
Education & Training
Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Moscow, Russia (1986–1994)
Classical Ballet, Pas De Deux, Character Dance, Modern Dance, Historic Dance, Dance
Pedagogy
Key Achievements
Principal Dancer – Renaissance Ballet, Richmond Ballet
Co-Founder and Ballet Master – Academy of International Ballet
Artistic Director – International Ballet Classique
Ballet Teacher, Production Manager – The Rock School for Dance Education
Adjunct Professor – University of the Arts
School Principal – School of Philadelphia Ballet
Guest Instructor – U.S. and European dance competitions and intensives
Career History
The Rock School for Dance Education (2024–Present)
Ballet Teacher, Production Manager, Maintenance, Handyman
Teaching ballet to all ages
Managing performances, building sets, and production schedules
Maintaining two buildings and dorms
Problem solver for daily school operations
Academy of International Ballet, Media, PA (2000–2023)
Co-Founder, Ballet Master
Choreographed and directed full-length ballets
Oversaw student development, administration, and performances
Management of the productions and school
University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA (2009–2019)
Adjunct Professor
Taught ballet, partnering, pointe, character dance
Focused on Vaganova technique, body alignment, men’s jumps, and classical
vocabulary
International Ballet Classique (2000–2018)
Ballet Master & Artistic Director
Managed choreography, sets, and regional performances
School of Pennsylvania Ballet (2018–2020)
School Principal
Oversaw teaching, auditions, choreography, students development and school direction
Anastasia Babayeva is a graduate of the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia, and internationally acclaimed professional ballerina. Extensive performance career with the Bolshoi Theatre, Chicago Ballet, Richmond Ballet, and others. Founder and Director of the Academy of International Ballet, Pennsylvania. Celebrated teacher and choreographer, recipient of multiple Outstanding Teacher Awards from YAGP and other major competitions. Known for training students who progress to top-tier ballet companies and win top placements in international competitions and for creating custom, professional-quality ballet costumes.
Education & Training
Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Moscow, Russia (1983–1991)
Classical Ballet, Pointe, Pas De Deux, Character, Modern, Historic Dance, Dance Pedagogy
Graduated with a Red Diploma (equivalent to A.A. in the U.S.)
Bolshoi Ballet Choreographic Institute (1991–1993)
Key Achievements
● First Soloist – Bolshoi Ballet Theatre
● Principal Dancer – Chicago Ballet, Richmond Ballet
● Founder & Artistic Director – Academy of International Ballet
● Ballet Mistress – International Ballet Classique, Greenwich Ballet Academy
● Senior Master Lecturer – University of the Arts
● Principal the School of Pennsylvania Ballet
● Principal Teacher of the Rock School for Dance Education (West Chester)
● Outstanding Teacher Awards – YAGP (4x), American Ballet Competition, Easton Ballet Competition
● Students placed in prestigious ballet companies including Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre,
Maryland Ballet Theatre, Richmond Ballet, Las Vegas Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet
Career History
The Rock School for Dance Education, Philadelphia, PA (2023-Present)
Ballet Instructor, Choreographer, Student Mentor, Costume Assistant
● Trained, choreographed for, and managed elite-level students at one of the nation’s top
ballet schools
● Guided dancers toward national and international competition success
● Created original choreography tailored to individual strengths and artistic growth
● Mentored students preparing for auditions, company contracts, and professional careers
Academy of International Ballet, Media, PA (2000–2023)
Founder, Director, Ballet Mistress
● Trained and choreographed for competition-winning students
● Students consistently placed at YAGP, American Ballet Competition, World Ballet Art
Competition, and others
University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA (2005–2016)
Senior Master Lecturer
● Taught Vaganova technique and ballet repertory
● Focused on body placement, classical vocabulary, and performance of historical ballet works
Greenwich Ballet Academy, Greenwich, CT (2008–2016)
Ballet Mistress
● Taught upper-level students
● Student won Grand Prix at YAGP in 2013
Additional Experience
● Bolshoi Ballet Theatre (1991–1995)
● Ballet Arts Minnesota (1995–1996)
● Chicago Ballet (1996)
● Richmond Ballet (1996–2001)
● Morgantown Dance Theatre (2003–2008)
● Crane Dance Center, Metropolitan Ballet, McHenry Dance Center, and others
Additional Skills & Interests
● Creator of professional ballet costumes: tutus, tunics, tiaras
● Costumes featured in national competitions and productions
● Featured in Dancer magazine (2005)
● Enjoys creating and spending time with children
Honors & Recognition
● YAGP Outstanding Teacher Award multiple times
● Recognized by Delaware County Council for lifelong contributions to ballet
● Two students invited to Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow
● One student debuted on Broadway in Billy Elliot
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