I moved to the United States nearly two decades ago from Russia. Born and raised in a culturally rich region of Russia, I developed a passion for dance at an early age. During my childhood and teenage years, I was studying various dance forms, particularly focusing on international folklore dances for 10 years, following another 5 years of performing the Russian folk dances at the local theater. Even though I did not pursue a professional career as a choreographer, I always wanted to pass on my knowledge and experience to someone who can learn and appreciate it. My goal is to inspire others to embrace the beauty of cultural heritage through the power of dance.