Kirov Academy of Ballet

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Kirov Academy of Ballet
Kirov Academy of Ballet.jpg
Location
Kirov Academy of Ballet
4301 Harewood Rd NE, Washington, D.C.

United States of America
Coordinates 38°56′28″N77°00′12″W / 38.941°N 77.0032°W / 38.941; -77.0032
Information
TypeBallet school
Established1990 (1990)
Closed2022 (2022)
Grades6th through 12th
Campus size1.2 acres

The Kirov Academy of Ballet (formerly the Universal Ballet Academy [1] ) was a ballet school in Washington, D.C. founded by Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon in 1990. [2] It closed in May 2022 after financial difficulties stemming in part from the embezzlement of up to $1.5 million from a school employee. [3]

Contents

Facilities

The Kirov was located in a former monastery on a 1.2-acre campus in the Brookland neighborhood of northeast Washington, D.C. The 50,000-square-foot gated facility featured dormitories, studios, and administrative space. [4] In September 2022, the building was purchased by Washington Latin Public Charter School to serve as a home for its second campus. [5]

Performance series

The Kirov’s spring and winter performance series were held in the academy’s 300-seat auditorium. Annually, the six performances served more than 1,800 people, including student performers, family members, children (including from underserved populations), and ballet aficionados of all ages.[ citation needed ]

Notable students

Kirov Academy of Ballet students have gone on to become leading dancers at top companies around the world. [6] Graduates and other students include Melanie Hamrick, [6] Sascha Radetsky, [6] Hee Seo, [6] Jayna Ledford, [7] Rasta Thomas, [8] Michele Wiles, [8] Danny Tidwell, [9] Tyler Nelson, [10] Vanessa Zahorian, [11] Sasha De Sola, [12] Brooklyn Mack, [13] Maria Bystrova, [8] Hyo-Jung Kang, [14] Melissa Hough, [8] Connor Walsh, [15] Rory Hohenstein, [8] Brian Maloney, [16] Jonathan Jordan, [17] J’aime Crandall, [18] Elizabeth Mason, [19] Lauren Strongin, [8] Dana Genshaft, [20] Laura O’Malley, [8] Adrienne Canterna, [8] Evan McKie, [6] Dragoș Mihalcea, [21] Yena Kang, [22] Hye-Min Hwang, [23] Jae Yong Ohm, [8] Joy Womack, [8] and Mikayla Geier. [24]

References

  1. ↑ Kim, James S. (March 11, 2015). "South Korean Ballerina Hee Seo Dazzles in 'The Sleeping Beauty'". KoreAm . Seoul, South Korea. Archived from the original on November 12, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  2. ↑ Ritzel, Rebecca J. (May 7, 2021). "Former Dance School Comptroller Pleads Guilty in $1.5 Million Fraud". New York Times. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  3. ↑ Ritzel, Rebecca J. (February 8, 2022). "The Kirov Academy, a Leading Ballet School, to Close in May". The New York Times. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Brookland School Property Trades for $22M". BLDUP. September 19, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  5. ↑ Loria, Keith (September 7, 2022). "Washington Latin School Acquires Historic Kirov Academy Building for $23M". Commercial Observer. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Ritzel, Rebecca J. (February 8, 2022). "The Kirov Academy, a Leading Ballet School, to Close in May" . The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  7. ↑ Scher, Avichai (March 8, 2020). "For transgender dancers, progress can't come fast enough" . Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Hanna, Judith Lynne (June 12, 1999). "Kirov Academy of Ballet". Dance Magazine. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  9. ↑ Kourlas, Gia (July 11, 2007). "So He Knows He Can Dance: A Prince Among Paupers". New York Times. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  10. ↑ Lang, George (September 26, 2007). "Former Edmond resident causes storm over Indiana Jones". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  11. ↑ Natalia Boesch (April 3, 2017). "Grace and Tenacity: Vanessa Zahorian Reflects on 20 Years at San Francisco Ballet". Pointe Magazine. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  12. ↑ Ford, Penelope. "Let There be Light". Fjord Review. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  13. ↑ Maxwell, Jenny (September 2021). "Made in Cola Town; Brooklyn Mack Dances Through Life". Columbia Metropolitan. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  14. ↑ Al-Jamie, Anthony (March 27, 2016). "Ballerina Hyo Jung Kang". Seoul Journal. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  15. ↑ Knox, Lawrence Elizabeth (March 29, 2017). "Connor Walsh: Houston Ballet's Yes Man". Arts and Culture Texas. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  16. ↑ David Bain (February 22, 2006). "Brian Maloney Soloist, The Royal Ballet". The Ballet Association. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Jonathan Jordan". www.balletmet.org. Ballet Met.
  18. ↑ Thygesen, Peter (April 28, 2022). "Ballerinaen med den skarptslebne teknik danser af" . Politiken. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  19. ↑ Brandt, Amy (July 28, 2010). "Take Your Tendus Overseas". Pointe Magazine. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  20. ↑ Loeffler-Gladstone, Nicole (June 1, 2015). "Taking Control: Dana Genshaft Reflects on her Unique Training Path". Pointe Magazine. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Dragoş Mihalcea". www.dance.utah.edu. University of Utah.
  22. ↑ Squires, Pamela (June 29, 1994). "Kirov's Grand Coming-Out". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  23. ↑ Sang-hee, Han (June 10, 2009). "East Meets West in UBC Ballet Chun-hyang". The Korea Times. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Mikayla Geier debuts powerful new single on trauma and healing in the dance community". The Upcoming. May 9, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2025.

See also

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