Pair of Russian dancers join staff at Simply Dance

Vernon — Two Russian dancers have joined the staff of Simply Dance, Ballet Master Konstantin Kolotov and his wife, Ballet Mistress Arina Kolotov. Konstantin received a master of stage degree in 1997 and trained at the Vaganova Ballet Academy in Novosibirsk, Russia from 1979 to 1987, where he received a Diploma of Honor as a professional ballet dancer. He has danced at the Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Yekaterinburg, Russia, the Theatre of Contemporary Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia, and the St. Petersburg Academic Ballet Theatre. He has performed worldwide and his roles have included Siegfried from “Swan Lake,” Albrecht in “Giselle,” the Cavalier in “The Nutcracker,” the Prince in “Sleeping Beauty” and “Cinderella,” Basil in “Don Quixote,” which he performed with world famous Ballerina Julie Kent from the American Ballet Theatre, and many more. Arina also studied at Vaganova Ballet Academy, and graduated from the Perm Academy of Ballet in Perm, Russia. She has performed as Principal Dancer with the Classical Ballet of St. Petersburg and the St. Petersburg Classical Ballet Company. She has also danced with Marlen Skog Ballet Company in Sweden and performed worldwide in such roles as Aurora in “Sleeping Beauty,” Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen in “The Nutcracker,” Giselle, Paquita, Odetta and Pas de Trois in “Swan Lake,” Pas de Deux from “Don Quixote,” Swanilda in “Coppelia” as well as many others. “We are thrilled to have Konstantin and Arina join our studio, and cannot wait to see the wealth of knowledge and experience that they will bring to our ballet students," said Danielle Seidner, co-owner and instructor at Simply Dance. "We are especially excited because the opportunity to take ballet classes from such experienced instructors does not come along often in our area.” Simply Dance, located at 3 Church St., Vernon, starts its 2011-2012 fall session on Monday, Sept. 12 and registration is ongoing. Contact the studio at 973-764-5150, visit www.simplydanceonline.com or email simply@warwick.net to register or for further information. Visit the studio on Saturday, Aug. 27, for an open house.