About | Master Ballet Academy DC

Master Ballet Academy (MBA), the official school of Phoenix Ballet, brings its internationally acclaimed training program to Washington, DC. Under the artistic direction of Slawomir Wozniak, in partnership with Associate Artistic Director of the DC location, Molly Hohlt, MBA is recognized for cultivating dancers of exceptional technical precision, artistry, and professional readiness.

Founded in Scottsdale, MBA has earned a distinguished global reputation and is ranked among the top ballet schools in the world—including a #2 ranking in an international university study—reflecting the academy’s consistent record of excellence and professional achievement. MBA alumni have gone on to perform with leading companies such as American Ballet Theatre, Stuttgart Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Ballet West, and the Royal Swedish Ballet. MBA students have received full scholarships to the world’s most prestigious institutions, including the Vaganova Ballet Academy, the Royal Ballet School, Princess Grace Academy, and the Paris Opera Ballet—underscoring the Academy’s role as a gateway to elite international training.

The Washington, DC location extends this legacy to the East Coast, offering a comprehensive and carefully structured program for dedicated students. Rooted in the rigor and discipline of the Vaganova method, MBA’s curriculum emphasizes strength, clarity of technique, and artistic refinement, supported by individualized coaching within a highly focused and professional environment.

For aspiring pre-professional dancers, MBA provides a clear and proven pathway toward a career in ballet. Students benefit from year-round training, intensive programs, and performance opportunities of the highest caliber. In addition, MBA offers elite-level coaching for major international competitions, including Prix de Lausanne, Youth America Grand Prix, the USA International Ballet Competition, along with all other major international dance competitions around the world. This focused preparation has consistently resulted in top placements, scholarships, and global recognition for MBA dancers.

Students in Washington, DC will also have access to performance and artistic development opportunities through Phoenix Ballet, including classical productions such as The Nutcracker, La Bayadere, Snow White, and Paquita, as well as original works and world premieres.

While MBA is known for its elite training environment, the school also offers thoughtfully designed programs for younger students and recreational students, introducing foundational technique, musicality, and discipline in a setting that fosters confidence, focus, and a lifelong appreciation for the art of dance.

Master Ballet Academy Washington, DC represents a rare opportunity for dancers on the East Coast to train within a program defined by excellence, tradition, and a direct connection to the professional world of ballet.

An Unparalleled Connection to Master Ballet Academy

Master Ballet Academy DC offers a distinctive opportunity rarely found outside of a school's flagship location: direct and ongoing access to the artistic leadership and faculty of the original Master Ballet Academy in Arizona.

Throughout the year, MBA founders, directors, and faculty will travel regularly to Washington, DC to teach classes, rehearse students, conduct master classes, provide private and group coaching, and mentor dancers in their artistic and technical development. Students will benefit from personalized instruction and guidance from the very individuals who have helped establish Master Ballet Academy's reputation for excellence in pre-professional ballet training.

These visits extend far beyond occasional guest teaching. Through regular faculty engagement, students at MBA DC will have the opportunity to work closely with the broader MBA artistic team in the classroom, in rehearsals, during competition preparation, and throughout their training journey. This level of access provides invaluable continuity, mentorship, and artistic oversight while fostering a direct connection to the standards and traditions that define the Master Ballet Academy training experience.

As a result, MBA DC students become part of a larger artistic community, benefiting from a training environment shaped by the same vision, philosophy, and commitment to excellence that have distinguished Master Ballet Academy on the national and international stage.

For dedicated young dancers seeking an elite level of training, this unique partnership offers an exceptional advantage—bringing the expertise, artistry, and leadership of Master Ballet Academy directly to Washington, DC while preserving the individualized attention and supportive environment of a local campus.

Master Ballet Academy DC

Distinguished Leadership
Faculty and Staff

Arizona Reaches DC

Slawomir Wozniak

Irena Wozniak

Slawek Wozniak

Michal Wozniak

FOUNDER
Artistic Director

Ballet Mistress

Slawomir Woźniak was born on 2 November 1967. In 1977-1986, he attended the Poznań ballet school. He gained his first stage experience partnering artists of Teatr Wielki in Poznań in performances of Cinderella. Slawomir Woźniak’s professional debut took place in 1986 at the Wroclaw Opera where he danced the Prince in Cinderella choreographed by Teresa Kujawa. Wroclaw Opera House Director recognized his talent and invited him to work at that theatre right after school. He was employed there in 1986-1988.

It was in Wroclaw that he met his future wife, also a soloist of ballet company of Wroclaw Opera. Their performance in Swan Lake left an unforgettable impression on all those who had a chance to see it. In 1988 he became a soloist and in 1989 the principal dancer of Teatr Wielki in Łódź. His first premiere there was also Cinderella. Irine Fokine, who prepared the spectacle, invited him to the USA where he appeared in The Nutcracker. On the stage in Łódź, he performed leading parts in classical and modern ballets. Among others, he danced John in Lorca Massine’s, Zorba the Greek, the role which gained him the admiration of the audience in Łódź and Warsaw. It also brought him the nomination of the French magazine Danse for “Revelation of the Year 1992”.

In 1991 he joined the ballet of the National Opera in Warsaw as a first soloist. From 2000-2011 he was a principal dancer with the company. In Warsaw he performed all leading male parts and also gave guest performances at many theaters in Poland and abroad. He was a Guest Artist with Bulgarian National Ballet, Greek National Ballet, Arena Di Verona Ballet and many others. In 2000 Slawomir Woźniak graduated from the Ballet Pedagogy at the Frederic Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw. For many years he had conducted dance courses for young Americans during Summer Intensive programs.

Together with his American partner Kathleen Arcierci, he won a bronze medal at the Third International Ballet Competition in New York in 1990. In 1993 Mr. Woźniak won a bronze medal at the First International Ballet Competition in Nagoya, Japan. Slawomir Woźniak was also a Jury Member for Polish International Ballet Competition in Gdansk, Poland.

For the last several years he has also created many choreographies for Ballet, Opera and Drama theatres. His choreographic works include:
• “Only Love…” Polish National Ballet, Warsaw, Poland – 2002
• “Comix-Comedy” Polish National Ballet, Warsaw, Poland – 2005
• “The Nutcracker” full production for Poznan Opera House, Poland – 2006 and Ballet & Friends in Phoenix, AZ – 2007
• “Peacock and the Maiden” Poznan Opera House, Poland – 2007
• “Copellia” Poznan Opera House, Poland -2009
• … and many more.

Irena Woźniak started her ballet training at the age of eleven in Gdansk, Poland, at the State Ballet School. At age sixteen, while Irena was still a student, she was asked to dance with the Professionals in Opera Baltycke’s, production of Snow White. Irena had the opportunity to train under some of the world’s most esteemed Dancers and Teachers including; Nathalie Bessmertnova, Yuri Grigorovich, Cynthia Harvey, Pierre Lacotte, Natalia Makarova, Lorca Massine, and Irek Mukhamedov, all of whom inspired Irena with an incredible passion for ballet. Irena graduated with high honors after performing and touring in many concerts and galas throughout Europe.

After graduating, Irena received the position of soloist at Wroclaw Opera House in Poland. It was there that she met her husband, Slawomir, as they performed leading roles together, such as Cinderella, Swan Lake and Giselle. Their performance in Swan Lake left an unforgettable impression on all those who were fortunate enough to see it. Irena performed in a host of other ballets including: La Gitana, D’Artagnan and The Three Musketeers, Chopiniana – Les Sylphides, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, and The Nutcracker.

In 1988 Irena joined the Teatr Wielki in Lodz, Poland, along with Slawomir, where they both performed in all of the company’s Repertories and Tours throughout Europe. A few years later, in 1991, Irena joined the Warsaw National Opera House as soloist and she danced with the company until her retirement which brought her to the Valley of the Sun. She moved to Phoenix in 2007 with her husband, while her two sons, Slawomir Jr. and Michal, were training on full scholarships in New York City at American Ballet Theatre.

Since living in Phoenix, Irena has trained hundreds of young dancers at Master Ballet Academy, the studio she owns and operates with her husband Slawomir. Since 2007 her accomplishments as a ballet instructor include training her students for international ballet competitions in Berlin, China, San Diego, Florida, and New York in which they have placed with medals and scholarships. Irena instills in each of her students, her love for ballet, and she passes along her own training and performance experiences. Irena inspires her students with her passion, attention to detail, knowledge of classical ballet, and understanding of expression. All of these qualities make Irena one of the most sought after Instructors in Phoenix.

Slawomir Jr., (Slawek) was born into a ballet family: His father was Principal Dancer of the Ballet of the Polish National Opera in Warsaw. At age 11, Slawomir began his studies on scholarship at the State School of Ballet in Warsaw, Poland. While at the school he performed in many productions in the national opera house. In 2005 Slawomir won Second Place in the National Ballet Competition in Gdansk, and went on to represent Poland in the International Ballet Competition in Nagoya, Japan.

In 2006 Slawomir accepted a full scholarship to study at The School of American Ballet in New York City where he trained for 2 years. Slawomir joined Ballet Arizona in 2008 and has danced soloist roles in Balanchine’s Divertimento No. 15, The Four Temperments, and Ib Andersen’s Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake. Slawomir has also performed in Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Sleeping Beauty (Blue Bird), Play, Twyla Tharp’s The Golden Section and Petipa’s Raymonda. Slawomir performed in Andersen’s premiere of Diversions at the Kennedy Center in D.C., Balanchine’s “Rubies” (from Jewels) at The Chicago Dancing Festival and Andersen’s Play at The Joyce Theatre in New York City

Michal began his training in gymnastics at age 7, and began his ballet training when he was 10 at the State School of Ballet in Warsaw, Poland. As a student, Michal was invited to perform in ballets and operas at the Great Theatre in Warsaw, and in 2004 was awarded first place in the ballet competition there. In 2006 Michal accepted a full scholarship to study at The School of American Ballet in New York City where he trained for 2 years. Michal continued studying on full scholarship at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre.

Michal joined Ballet Arizona in 2009, and has been featured in Swan Lake, George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments, Petipa’s Raymonda, and Ib Andersen’s The Sleeping Beauty. Michal danced the principal role in George Balanchine’s Prodigal Son and Ib Andersen’s Mosiak. Michal toured with Ballet Arizona to perform Andersen’s Diversions at The Kennedy Center, Balanchine’s “Rubies” (from Jewels) at The Chicago Dancing Festival and Andersen’s Play at The Joyce Theatre in New York City.

"Master Ballet Academy is not just a school; it is a global benchmark for excellence. Our training is the bridge between raw talent and the world's most prestigious professional stages."

Molly Hohlt

Associate Artistic Director
WASHIngTON DC

PrinciPal Teacher

Advanced/Pre-Professional &

Intermediate divisions

Molly Hohlt began her formal dance training at the age of eight at The Washington School of Ballet (TWSB) under the tutelage of TWSB Founder, Mary Day. Ms. Hohlt performed leading roles in The Washington Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker and subsequently graduated at the age of eighteen from the Professional Training Program.

Upon graduation, Ms. Hohlt went on to pursue both collegiate and graduate studies, while dancing with The Inland Pacific Ballet, Ballet Theatre of Boston, and as a guest artist for The Maryland School of Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker.

Ms. Hohlt graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Child Psychology from Scripps College of The Claremont Colleges. She was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society in 1996 and was awarded a research fellowship at The National Institutes of Health’s Developmental Psychiatry Lab. Ms. Hohlt went on to pursue graduate studies at Boston College and was awarded an academic fellowship to Boston Children’s Hospital, where she worked in the Department of Outpatient Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, and the Behavioral Management Clinic.

In 2012, Ms. Hohlt returned to The Washington School of Ballet as an instructor in the Lower Division, co-teaching and studying pedagogy with Master Teacher Kee Juan Han. She went on to manage the Lower Levels and Pre-Ballet Division where she provided artistic mentorship and management of faculty, oversaw curriculum development and implementation, and continued to train students across multiple levels. Ms. Hohlt authored The Lower Level Training Principles: A Social Curriculum used in the Lower Levels of TWSB.

Since 2014, Ms. Hohlt has served as Children’s Repetiteur for The Washington Ballet’s annual production of Septime Webre’s, The Nutcracker. She co-manages auditions and casting, and stages and rehearses multiple children’s roles.

Ms. Hohlt joined the teaching faculty of CityDance in 2022. In 2024 Ms. Hohlt was named Director of the Young Training Program (YTP) and the Pre Conservatory, and in 2025 was appointed the Director of the Ballet Program. Ms. Hohlt coached Washington DC YAGP 2026 Hope Award Winner, along with other Top 12 and 1st place classical winners.

Ninel Cherevko

Ninel Cherevko was born in Lviv, Ukraine, where she received her ballet training. During her studies, she was privileged to train under a direct student of the legendary Agrippina Vaganova, providing her with a remarkable foundation in the renowned Vaganova method.

Upon graduation, Ms. Cherevko joined the Lviv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, where she began her professional career before continuing with the Moscow City Ballet. Throughout her performing career, she participated in numerous galas and festivals, including Stars of the World Ballet, as well as tours across Europe, Asia, and the United States. Her extensive repertoire includes leading roles in many of the classical ballet's most celebrated works, including La Bayadère, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Esmeralda, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Chopiniana, and Giselle, among other classical and contemporary productions.

After relocating to the United States, Ms. Cherevko continued performing while dedicating herself to teaching, coaching, and choreography. Beginning with the Ballet Theatre of Maryland and the Ballet Royale Institute of Maryland, she trained and mentored dancers throughout the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area and beyond over the past 25 years. Her teaching experience includes serving as a faculty member at the world-renowned Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C. She continues to serve as a sought-after instructor both in the United States and internationally. Most recently, at DuCon Singapore and Malaysia. Ninel has been an expert teacher at DuCon since 2022. In addition to her teaching work, Ms. Cherevko has staged and choreographed numerous full-length productions, including The Nutcracker, Coppelia, The Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Cinderella, as well as original works.

Since 2000, her students have earned top honors at some of the world's most prestigious ballet competitions, including the Youth America Grand Prix, where her students have received the Grand Prix award in the Senior Division, the Hope Award, and numerous First Place awards across multiple categories. Her students have also achieved success at the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, the WBAC Grand Prix, the ADC/IBC Youth International Ballet Competition, and other distinguished events. Some of her students have received scholarships to the most prestigious ballet schools, including full scholarships to the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School year-round pre-professional program and The Juilliard School. Others have been offered second company/trainee positions or a contract with companies such as Oklahoma City Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Orlando Ballet, The Washington Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Philadelphia Ballet. Many have also gone on to pursue studies in dance programs across the United States, including Princeton University, The University of Utah, Butler University, Point Park University, and The Juilliard School. In recognition of her contributions to ballet education, Ms. Cherevko received the Best Teacher Award at the WBAC Grand Prix in 2018 and 2019, and the Outstanding Teacher/Faculty Award at the Youth America Grand Prix 2022.

Advanced/Pre-Professional

Divison

Dmitri Malikov

Mens Program
Pas De Deux

Dmitri Malikov is a distinguished ballet educator, choreographer, and former principal dancer

who graduated from the renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy, studying under Alexander

Khmelnitsky, Maxim Martirosian, and Mark Ermolov.

Mr. Malikov performed as a soloist and principal dancer with several ballet companies

throughout Eastern Europe and the United States.

During his professional career, he danced

leading roles in many of the world's most celebrated classical and contemporary ballets, working

with internationally recognized choreographers. His principal roles include Albrecht in Giselle,

Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, the Prince in The Nutcracker, Franz in Coppélia, Phoebus in La

Esmeralda, and Solor in La Bayadère.

In 1999, Dmitri relocated to the Baltimore–Washington area and joined Ballet Theatre of

Maryland as both a company member and faculty instructor. Throughout his teaching career, Mr. Malikov has coached and trained dancers at Carroll County Dance Center and Ballet Conservatory, Sudbrook Magnet School, Severna Park Dance

Academy, Stageworkz, Baltimore Ballet Company, and Olney Ballet Theatre. In 2010, he joined

the faculty of Baltimore School for the Arts and has also served for many years as a teacher and

coach at the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts.

His students have earned numerous honors at prestigious competitions, including Gold Medals

at Youth America Grand Prix in 2008, 2012, and 2020, as well as the Grand Prix Award in 2022.

In 2014, one of his students was selected to participate in the International Ballet Competition in

Jackson, Mississippi. In recognition of his dedication and excellence in dance education, Mr.

Malikov received the Best Teacher Award at the WBAC Grand Prix in New York in 2018 and the

Best Teacher Award at Youth America Grand Prix Pittsburgh in 2022.

Emily Abrom

Advanced/Pre-Professional

Divison

Intermediate Division

Teen Academy

Emily Abrom is an international ballet teacher and ballet dancer with over 20 years of professional experience. She started performing in NYC at the age of 9 in off-Broadway and regional musical theater productions. She trained with Arianne Dellas Thorton, former Artistic Director of the Kirov Academy in DC, and has received numerous summer scholarships, training at Houston Ballet, ABT, Bolshoi Ballet (NYC), Royal Danish Ballet (Denmark) and Paris Opera Ballet (France).

After graduation from Premiere Division in NYC with Nadege Hottier, Emily joined the Mariinsky Theater Primosky Stage before going on to become the first American hired to join the Novosibirsk State Opera and Ballet Theater in Russia. During her career in Russia, she danced multiple soloist roles in Mikhail Messer’s Cinderella, Coppelia, Swan Lake, Nacho Duato’s Sleeping Beauty, Roland Petit's Notre Dame De Paris and Balanchine’s Jewels and Theme and Variations. She has also toured with companies around Europe, Asia and the Middle East in 11 countries.

Emily teaches in the Vaganova method, and has been a Russian language translator and interpreter for A.S.E. Global Bridges with the Bolshoi Ballet Summer Programs in NYC, bringing Vaganova training directly to American students. She also worked with the program to run auditions and select students across the US for their John Cranko summer intensives.

Her students have placed in the top three at multiple competitions such as YAGP Semi Finals, DC Grand Prix and IBC, both in classical divisions and with her original choreography for contemporary solos.
She has worked as a coach and teacher in the DC area since 2023 with Alchemy Ballet and CityDance and as a guest principal dancer in multiple states across the US.

Megan Amen

Contemporary and JAzz

Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Megan Amen is a professionally trained dancer, choreographer, and instructor. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in 2020 and furthered her education through a study abroad program at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London.

Megan has trained extensively in ballet, contemporary and jazz and brings over 20 years of experience performing and teaching dancers if all ages and skill levels. She has taught at the Master Ballet Academy summer intensive in Scottsdale, AZ. and served as an instructor at Dance Academy of Virginia and as a guest instructor at Greenway High School. Her classes emphasize strong technical foundations while encouraging creativity, artistry, confidence, and a genuine love of dance.

As a performer, Megan has performed in featured performances such as Dance Plus and her Senior Solo at Rutger's Mason Gross School of Arts, Dance Legends at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, as well as multiple productions of The Nutcracker with Master Ballet Academy. She also spent more than ten years as a competitive dancer with Master Ballet Academy, Royal Dance works, and Dance Gallery, training and competition at prestigious competitions. These experiences provided her extensive training from renowned choreographers and educators while developing the versatility, discipline, and artistry she now brings into the classroom.

Megan has choreographed a variety of ballet, contemporary and jazz works for studios, collegiate students, and high school dancers.

Nikolai Fedorov

Teen Academy

Adults

Nikolai Fedorov is a professional ballet teacher and choreographer with over 15 years of experience in teaching, staging choreography, and training ballet artists. He is a graduate of the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts and the Chelyabinsk College of Culture and Arts, where he earned his Ballet Master’s degree.Nikolai is a dedicated advocate of the Vaganova method and has devoted his career to the development of classical ballet, blending the traditions of the Russian school with a modern pedagogical approach. He served as the artistic director of a ballet and choreography school in Chelyabinsk, where more than a thousand students of all ages were trained under his leadership.Under his direction, the school’s students and ensembles became multiple laureates and Grand Prix winners at international competitions across Russia and Europe, touring numerous countries and earning recognition for their artistry and high performance standards. Among their achievements are the Grand Prix at the “Jeunesse de la Planète” competition in Paris, France, and the Grand Prix at the “Festival Internazionale Del Tour” in Rome, Italy.Nikolai has received more than 90 professional awards, including “Teacher of the Year – 2015” and the prestigious “Golden Lyre – 2022”, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the development of art, pedagogy, and choreography.As a Senior Specialist for the Ministry of Culture and Education of the Chelyabinsk region, he conducted seminars and masterclasses, developed training programs for teachers and young dancers, and contributed to cultural education initiatives. Nikolai is also the author of educational publications in the fields of culture and art and has been regularly invited as a jury member at professional dance competitions.Today, Nikolai continues his teaching career in the United States, inspiring a new generation of dancers. His approach combines professionalism, musicality, and heartfelt warmth — helping every student discover their individuality and fall in love with the art of ballet.

CeCe Farha

Guest Faculty

Jazz, Contemporary, Broadway DANCE

CECE FARHA is a dance educator, choreographer, and arts leader with more than three decades of experience in ballet education, performance, and choreography. She joined the faculty of The Washington School of Ballet in 1999, serving under the leadership of Mary Day, Septime Webre, Julie Kent, and Edwaard Liang. During her tenure, she taught across all levels of the school and served as Children's Rehearsal Director for The Washington Ballet, staging Septime Webre's The Nutcracker, ALICE (in wonderland), Cinderella, Peter Pan, and Sleepy Hollow. Her original ballet, Aladdin, premiered during The Washington Ballet's 2016–2017 40th Anniversary Season. She has brought interactive dance education to audiences of all ages through outreach programs at the Smithsonian Institution, the Kennedy Center, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Classically trained by legendary teachers Maria Tallchief, Yvonne Chouteau, and Miguel Terekhov, Ms. Farha was a founding company member of Ballet Oklahoma and an apprentice with the San Francisco Ballet under Artistic Director Lew Christiansen. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oklahoma. She has served on the faculties of the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City University, the University of Central Oklahoma, Ballet Oklahoma, and George Mason University. As founder and Artistic Director of Range of Motion Dance Studio, she has created and produced more than thirty original children's ballets. Ms. Farha has mentored dancers who have gone on to perform on Broadway, with Disney, in film and television, aboard major cruise lines, and with contemporary and ballet companies worldwide. Developing technically strong, versatile, and confident artists remains central to her teaching philosophy. Her Equity theatre choreography includes Annie Get Your Gun, Peter Pan, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Goodbye Girl, The Pajama Game, A Little Night Music, Godspell, Grand Hotel, Carousel, and Oklahoma! A sought-after choreographer, she has been commissioned by dance companies and theaters nationwide.

Klementyna Pozniak

Originally from Kraków, Poland, Klementyna Pozniak spent her early life between Poland and the United States. In 2023, she moved to Washington, DC, to pursue a Master of Arts in Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies at Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service.

Klementyna brings a strong background in administration, program coordination, and community engagement. Her exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to providing outstanding service make her a valued member of the Master Ballet Academy DC team.

As School Coordinator, Klementyna oversees the academy's day-to-day administrative operations and serves as a primary point of contact for students and families. She is dedicated to creating a welcoming, organized, and supportive environment, ensuring that every family enjoys a seamless experience from registration through the school year. Klementyna is delighted to be part of the Master Ballet Academy DC community and looks forward to supporting its students, families, and faculty.

School Coordinator