Greer, South Carolina

Faculty

The faculty has been carefully chosen for their technical knowledge, artistic expression, outstanding time-honored qualifications as master teachers and their abilities to instill proper placement and dance values that include classical ballet technique and performance skills.

Hennadii Bespechnyi

Artistic Director and Ballet Instructor

Hennadii Bespechnyi received his professional training at the Riga Stage College of Choreography, Latvia, under Professor Juris Kapralis. He also holds a Master’s Degree as a choreographer, coach and ballet master from the Ukrainian Academy of Dance, International Slavic University. Hennadii has toured extensively as Principal Dancer with Ballet Classique de Paris (France), Kiev Theater of Classical Ballet (Ukraine), and International Ballet de Ochi (Japan). Since May 2004 he has choreographed, staged, and performed in International Ballet performances of Francesca da Rimini, Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Lady and the Hooligan, Giselle, La Sylphide, Coppelia as well as numerous chamber ballets.

Vlada Kysselova

Assistant Director, Ballet Mistress, Pointe Instructor

Vlada Kysselova received her training at the Kiev State College of Choreography and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Kiev State Linguistic University and a Master’s Degree with Honors as a choreographer, coach and ballet master from the Ukrainian Academy of Dance, International Slavic University. Vlada toured as a soloist with National Theater of Opera and Ballet, Kiev (Ukraine), and as a principal dancer with Kiev Theater of Classical Ballet and Ballet Classique de Paris (France). Since May 2004, she has choreographed and staged productions with Hennadii for International Ballet performances.

Lena Forster

Executive Director, Ballet Instructor, Founder

Lena Forsterreceived her training at the prestigious School of American Ballet, Official School of New York City Ballet under George Balanchine. She attended the University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music as a Dance Major and performed with the Cincinnati Ballet. She taught in numerous schools in New York, and has been the Executive Director and ballet instructor at the Greenville Ballet and Ballet Spartanburg. Most recently, Ms. Foster was instrumental in initiating and managing an ongoing international cultural exchange program with the Ukrainian National Academy of Dance, providing an ideal venue for advanced students from all schools to participate in world- class dance training. Lena and her husband, Jurgen founded IBA in 2003.

Melanie Benson

Jazz Instructor

Melanie relocated from New York City in 2004, where she was a professional dancer/actor/singer and dance teacher for over a decade. She trained at NYC’s Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and Broadway Dance Center. Melanie’s stage credits include Guys and Dolls, Pippin, Anything Goes, A Funny Thing Happed on the Way to the Forum, Brigadoon, and A Salute to Hollywood at NY’s Lincoln Center, The Cotton Club Review in Japan and a “Bond Girl” in The Magic of Allen Valentine in Atlantic City. She has traveled worldwide as a member of two modern dance companies. Melanie choreographed and staged A Soldier’s Tale with The Greenville Symphony in 2009.

Amy Belknap

Pre-Ballet Instructor

Amy has been studying ballet and performing with International Ballet Academy for six years. She has been a teaching assistant for ballet summer camps for 3 years. Amy has participated in the IB International Exchange Program twice and studied Baroque Dance at the Amherst Early Dance Festival 2010. She has been featured in many roles in International Ballet’s performances including Nutcracker, Don Quixote and Coppelia. She iscurrentlya senior at Greenville Technical College’s Charter High School.

Madison Allen

Pre-Ballet & Zumba® Instructor

Madison has been studying dance from a young age.  She has studied jazz, tap, ballet, character, and is a certified Zumba® instructor.  Madison studied with Columbia City Ballet and the International Ballet Academy.  In addition, she participated in summer dance programs with American Ballet Theater and the Ukrainian Academy of Dance in Kiev, Ukraine.  She performed many roles in local ballets including Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Dracula, Don Quixote, La Sylphide, and Coppelia.  Madison is a student at Greenville Technical College.