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.
Slawomir Wozniak
FOUNDER
Artistic Director
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.
Distinguished Leadership
Molly Hohlt
Associate Artistic Director
WASHIngTON DC
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 this year's Washington DC YAGP Hope Award Winner, Olivia Liu.
Irena Wozniak
Ballet Mistress
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.
Master Ballet Academy DC
Slawek Wozniak
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
"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."
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.
Michal Wozniak
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.
Dmitri Malikov
Mens Program
Pas De Deux
Dmitri Malikov graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the famed Bolshoi Ballet Academy in 1987. He was a soloist and principal dancer with Donetsk Ballet Co., Lvov Ballet Theatre, MCB, and the Ballet Theatre of Maryland. He has performed numerous principal roles in some of the most famous classical and contemporary works by some of the most recognized choreographers in the world. In 1999, Malikov moved to the Baltimore-Washington area. An award-winning teacher and coach, Malikov has taught at the Carroll County Dance Center and Ballet Conservatory, Sudbrook Magnet School, Severna Park Dance Academy, Stageworkz, Baltimore Ballet Company, Olney Ballet Theatre, and the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts, as well as at the Baltimore School for the Arts. His students are successfully performing and competing in various competitions and were the Youth America Grand Prix 2008 and 2012 gold-medalist winners. In 2018, Malikov received the Best Teacher Award at the WBAC Grand Prix competition in New York.
Ninel Cherevko
Advanced/Pre-Professional
Divison