Lazaro CARRENO, Principal Teacher and Coach

A native of Cuba, Lazaro Carreno joined Houston Ballet's artistic staff in November 2003. Mr. Carreno began his professional ballet career in 1969 when he joined Ballet de Camagьey, and he began dancing principal roles with the Ballet Nacional de Cuba the following year. He has been a guest artist with a variety of renowned companies, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ballet Nacional de Caracas. After winning numerous international awards in the 1970s and 1980s, Mr. Carreno was awarded the Cuban National Arts Medal, the highest artistic honor in Cuba. He began teaching at Ballet Nacional de Cuba in 1972 and was granted the title of ballet master in 1976. He is a respected guest teacher worldwide and has previously taught at Toronto's National Ballet School of Canada, Britain's Royal Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. Mr. Carreno also teaches at Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy.

Irina Vakhromeeva (Ballet Class, Pointe, Character, Variations) - Volunteer-Artist-in-Residens. Graduate of the Vaganova Ballet Academy. Former soloist and Principal dancer with Moscow Ballet. Her repertoire includes Giselle, Cinderella, Nutcracker, Paquita, Don Quixot, The Blue Bird, Corsaire. From 1995-2002 Irina was the children's Ballet mistress and advance person for the Moscow Ballet's United States. U.S. expererience included Choreography of Paquita, Corsare, Nutcracker, Les Sylphide, La Bayadere, Italian Cappriccio. Guest teacher for Towson University, MD, Western Ilinois University. Ms. Vakhromeeva has tourned internationaly to U.S. Canada, Taiwan, Europe.


Konstantin Kolotov (Ballet Class, Partnering,Acting, Variations) - Graduate of Ballet Academy in Novosibirsk, Russia, with a Diploma with Honors. Principal Dancer with Theatre of Classical Ballet in St. Perersburg, Russia and St. Petersburg Academic Ballet Theatre under the guidance of Proffessor Askold Makarov. Principal dancer and Master Teacher with Corpus Christi Ballet. His repertoire includes: Don Quixote, Corsaire, Nutcracker, Paquita, Giselle, Les Sylphide, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake. Mr. Kolotov has tourned in U.S. Europe, South America, Australia.

Vadim Pigicov (Ballet Class, Partnering, Acting)
- Vadim Pijicov received his dance education at the world-famous and probably the most desirable ballet school ever- The Academy of Russian Ballet A. Vaganova in St.Petersburg, Russia. After graduating he enjoyed a spectacular career as a Principal dancer with the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre of Moldova and the Italian Cosi-Stefanescu Ballet Company. His repertoire includes all major classical ballets, together with celebrated contemporary pieces. He has toured internationally to Austria, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, The Vatican, China,Tiwan, Romania, Greece, as well as national tours inside Russia, Moldova and the US. Mr. Pijicov won the prize for Best non-competing dancer at the 1993 International Ballet Competition in Constanza, Romania. During his career he has taught at the National Academy of Ballet of Moldova, as well as Dance schools Italy, Romania and the US. Mr. Pijicov has worked like a Soloist with Ballet Internationale of Indiana for seven years. Currently, Mr. Pijicov teaches Baltimore school for the Arts and throughout the Northern Virginia and Maryland area.