Kirov Academy of Ballet Last updated August 13, 2025
Ballet school in United States of America
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.
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. [ 3]
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. [ 4] Graduates and other students include Melanie Hamrick , [ 4] Sascha Radetsky , [ 4] Hee Seo , [ 4] Jayna Ledford , [ 5] Rasta Thomas , [ 6] Michele Wiles , [ 6] Danny Tidwell , [ 7] Tyler Nelson, [ 8] Vanessa Zahorian , [ 9] Sasha De Sola , [ 10] Brooklyn Mack , [ 11] Maria Bystrova , [ 6] Hyo-Jung Kang, [ 12] Melissa Hough , [ 6] Connor Walsh , [ 13] Rory Hohenstein, [ 6] Brian Maloney, [ 14] Jonathan Jordan, [ 15] J’aime Crandall , [ 16] Elizabeth Mason, [ 17] Lauren Strongin, [ 6] Dana Genshaft, [ 18] Laura O’Malley, [ 6] Adrienne Canterna, [ 6] Evan McKie , [ 4] Dragoș Mihalcea , [ 19] Yena Kang, [ 20] Hye-Min Hwang, [ 21] Jae Yong Ohm, [ 6] Joy Womack , [ 6] and Mikayla Geier . [ 22]
References ↑ 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 . ↑ Ritzel, Rebecca J. (May 7, 2021). "Former Dance School Comptroller Pleads Guilty in $1.5 Million Fraud" . New York Times . Retrieved June 5, 2023 . ↑ "Brookland School Property Trades for $22M" . BLDUP . September 19, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2023 . 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 . ↑ Scher, Avichai (March 8, 2020). "For transgender dancers, progress can't come fast enough" . Retrieved June 4, 2023 . 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 . ↑ Kourlas, Gia (July 11, 2007). "So He Knows He Can Dance: A Prince Among Paupers" . New York Times . Retrieved June 4, 2023 . ↑ Lang, George (September 26, 2007). "Former Edmond resident causes storm over Indiana Jones" . The Oklahoman . Retrieved June 4, 2023 . ↑ Natalia Boesch (April 3, 2017). "Grace and Tenacity: Vanessa Zahorian Reflects on 20 Years at San Francisco Ballet" . Pointe Magazine . Retrieved June 4, 2023 . ↑ Ford, Penelope. "Let There be Light" . Fjord Review . Retrieved June 5, 2023 . ↑ Maxwell, Jenny (September 2021). "Made in Cola Town; Brooklyn Mack Dances Through Life" . Columbia Metropolitan . Retrieved June 4, 2023 . ↑ Al-Jamie, Anthony (March 27, 2016). "Ballerina Hyo Jung Kang" . Seoul Journal . Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2023 . ↑ Knox, Lawrence Elizabeth (March 29, 2017). "Connor Walsh: Houston Ballet's Yes Man" . Arts and Culture Texas . Retrieved June 4, 2023 . ↑ David Bain (February 22, 2006). "Brian Maloney Soloist, The Royal Ballet" . The Ballet Association . Retrieved June 4, 2023 . ↑ "Jonathan Jordan" . www.balletmet.org . Ballet Met. ↑ Thygesen, Peter (April 28, 2022). "Ballerinaen med den skarptslebne teknik danser af" . Politiken . Retrieved June 4, 2023 . ↑ Brandt, Amy (July 28, 2010). "Take Your Tendus Overseas" . Pointe Magazine . Retrieved June 4, 2023 . ↑ Loeffler-Gladstone, Nicole (June 1, 2015). "Taking Control: Dana Genshaft Reflects on her Unique Training Path" . Pointe Magazine . Retrieved June 4, 2023 . ↑ "Dragoş Mihalcea" . www.dance.utah.edu . University of Utah. ↑ Squires, Pamela (June 29, 1994). "Kirov's Grand Coming-Out" . The Washington Post . Retrieved June 4, 2023 . ↑ Sang-hee, Han (June 10, 2009). "East Meets West in UBC Ballet Chun-hyang" . The Korea Times . Retrieved June 4, 2023 . ↑ "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
Schools of professional ballet
Europe Americas Other
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