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Our Teachers

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Mariana Zschoerper

Classical Ballet

Mariana, a notorious talent in the world of ballet, embarked on her dance journey at the tender age of 3. Her exceptional aptitude for the art form was evident early on when she secured the highest admittance score among 8,000 aspiring young dancers applying for The Bolshoi Theater School in Brazil. Her formative years at The Bolshoi Theater School from 2000 to 2007 laid the foundation for a remarkable career. Mariana graced stages in Brazil, Italy, Germany, France, and Russia, performing soloist roles that showcased her unparalleled skill and dedication. An internship with The Bolshoi Ballet in Russia provided her with invaluable experience, complemented by private coaching from luminaries Vladimir Vassiliev and Ekaterina Maximova. During her internship, Mariana took center stage as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker, leaving an indelible mark on the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow. Upon graduating as the Valedictorian of her class, Mariana joined the professional Bolshoi Ballet company in Brazil before making her mark with the Company Ballet in Sao Paulo. Her accolades include being a Finalist at the Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition NYC Senior Division in 2015-2016, and a noteworthy victory at the Bravo Ballet Competition in 2010. In 2011, Mariana's journey took her to the Baltimore Ballet, where she assumed the role of Principal Dancer. Her pursuit of excellence continued at The Boston Conservatory, where she earned her B.F.A. with distinction in 2017. As a highly accomplished and dedicated Dance Professional, Mariana has seamlessly transitioned into leadership roles. In her tenure as Artistic Director at San Jose Dance Theater from 2022 to 2023, she spearheaded the artistic direction, choreography, and production of ballet performances, achieving exceptional artistic quality and audience engagement. Her strategic plans elevated the organization's artistic reputation and success while mentoring dance company members to foster their artistic growth. Prior to her directorial role, Mariana served as Ballet Mistress at San Jose Dance Theater from 2019 to 2022. In this capacity, she provided expert guidance and coaching to ballet dancers, contributing to the overall artistic vision of the company. Her teaching experiences span prestigious institutions such as San Jose Dance Theatre, Bolshoi School Brazil (where she holds a Certificate of Vaganova Method for teaching), Kirov Academy in Washington D.C., and others. Mariana's commitment to nurturing talent extends to her guest ballet teacher role at South Shore Ballet Theater, where she delivers masterful instruction to students of varying ages and skill levels. Mariana's artistic prowess extends beyond the stage, encompassing classical repertoire, grand pas de deux performances, single variations, and modern choreography. Her diverse experiences include performances in prominent cities across the globe, from San Jose and Charleston to London and the iconic Bolshoi Theatre in Russia. Beyond the world of dance, Mariana has engaged in courses for TV dramatization and pursued communication journalism at the college level. Her multifaceted education is complemented by two years as a Head Resident Assistant at The Boston Conservatory. In summary, Mariana is not merely a dancer; she is a visionary leader, a mentor, and a testament to the transformative power of dedication and passion in the world of ballet.

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Anika Gautam

General Ballet / Contemporary Dance

Anika Gautam grew in the Bay Area and started dancing at the age of 3. As her love for ballet, she started to train in other styles such as contemporary and jazz. In high school Anika joined a competitive dance team in which she competed for numerous dance competitions and showcases. She went on to attend San Francisco State University where she earned her BA in Dance and BS in Business Administration. While attending college Anika participated in numerous show cases such as the University Dance Theatre and the Winter Showcase along with choreographing for the New Moves Student Choreography Showcase with an 8 minute contemporary modern piece titled ‘A New Beginning.’ Anika has trained under several well known artists such as Ray Tadio, Mary Carbonara, Janice Garrett, Amy Foley, Kara Davis, and more. She is excited to pursue her love and passion for teaching at Victoria Ballet!

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Sophie Na-ae Kim

Instructor for General Ballet / Choreographer

Sophie is a teacher renowned for her long-time training under the Victoria Ballet philosophy. As an inspiration, Sophie motivates many aspiring ballerinas/ballerinos with her personal expertise, having medals and scholarships from numerous competitions such as YAGP, ADC IBC, UBC, and WBAC. Her teaching method combines technical growth with emotional growth, mentoring the students to mature and grow beyond ballet. A living proof of Victoria Ballet philosophy, Sophie tailors training to each student, a unique trait found in Victoria Ballet teachings. Recently, she had proven her directorial talents through the 2024 Victoria Ballet Nutcracker, where she helped choreograph and align as the assistant director. She is continuing her journey to become a versatile artist to inspire aspiring dancers, meanwhile studying new tools and methods fit for teaching. Ballet Profile 2023 - ADC IBC Invited to Finals  2023 - YAGP (New Generation Ballet scholarship) 2023 - UBC Finalist 2023 - WBC Finalist 2023 - Universal Ballet Company Art Director intensive 2023 - Joffrey summer intensive +  25% scholarship  2023 - NYC Joffrey year-round offer + 50% scholarship 2023 - WBAC semi finals 1st place, Finals 4th place 2024 - ADC IBC Invited to Finals 2024 - Swan Lake production (partial scene choreo + lead dancer) 2024 - Invited to San Francisco Ballet Summer Intensive 2024 - Nutcracker Production (Assistant director/Sugarplum) 2025 - Invited to San Francisco Ballet Summer Intensive

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