For those wanting to try a class at Minnesota Ballet School we offer age and skill appropriate drop-In classes. You can register for one or multiple drop-in classes using online registration form.
Veronika Part, born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1978, is a celebrated ballet dancer with a career spanning decades. Her journey in the arts commenced with gymnastics before she transitioned to ballet at the renowned Vaganova Ballet Academy in 1988. Graduating in 1996, she swiftly rose to prominence, joining the prestigious Mariinsky (Kirov) Ballet and achieving the rank of soloist in 1998.
During her tenure with the Kirov Ballet, Part showcased her exceptional talent across a diverse repertoire, embodying iconic roles such as Nikiya in "La Bayadère," the Queen of the Dryads in "Don Quixote," and Odette-Odile in "Swan Lake." She also displayed her versatility through performances in works by acclaimed choreographers George Balanchine and John Neumeier, earning accolades such as the prestigious BALTIKA Prize in 1999.
In August 2002, Part embarked on a new chapter, joining the American Ballet Theatre as a Soloist. Over the years, she ascended to the rank of Principal in May 2009, leaving an indelible mark with her captivating performances. Her repertoire with ABT spanned a wide range of roles, from classical to contemporary works, highlighting her artistry and versatility on stage.
Throughout her illustrious career, Part has graced stages worldwide, captivating audiences with her beauty and artistry.
In July 2017, she retired from the American Ballet Theatre, yet her passion for dance persists as she continues to perform, enchanting audiences with her timeless elegance and grace. Additionally, she serves as a judge for esteemed competitions such as the Youth America Grand Prix and California Dance Classic, contributing her expertise to nurture the next generation of ballet talent.
A native of Ukraine, Arkadiy Orohovsky received his formal dance training at the Kiev State Choreographic Institute, followed by Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Arts from the Kiev State University of Culture. He began his professional career with the Ukrainian National Theatre of Opera and Ballet, performing principal and soloist roles on international tours throughout Europe, Japan, Mexico, and Canada.
In 1994, Mr. Orohovsky earned the Bronze Medal at the Serge Lifar International Ballet Competition in Kiev. He later danced as Principal Dancer with Ballet El Paso, and served as Artistic Director of Dance at Brigham Young University, where he staged original and classical ballets while continuing to perform as a guest artist.
Mr. Orohovsky also danced with Houston Ballet under Ben Stevenson, with leading roles including Romeo, Albrecht, Prince Ivan, and the Bronze Idol. He is a highly respected guest artist and master teacher, having taught and choreographed across the U.S., Europe, and Japan. He has led a summer intensive in Prague for four consecutive years and coached students to success at Youth America Grand Prix and the World Ballet Competition.
Currently, he is the Artistic Director of South Mississippi Ballet Theatre, a pre-professional company dedicated to training students for professional careers.
In 2018, he was honored to contribute to the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson.
Oliver grew up in South Florida and took his first dance class at the age of 2. He performed in Miami City Ballet's first Nutcracker, fell in love with both Tchaikovsky and ballet, and later migrated west to train at the San Francisco Ballet School. In 2001, he began his professional dance career back on the east coast with Boston Ballet.
A year later, he found his home in Texas, joining Houston Ballet as a Corps de Ballet member in 2002. Over the next 20 seasons, he rose to the rank of First Soloist, performing a wide range of classical, contemporary, and character roles. Oliver worked with celebrated choreographers such as George Balanchine, Jiří Kylián, William Forsythe, Nacho Duato, Hans Van Manen, Christopher Bruce, Mark Morris, Ben Stevenson OBE, Stanton Welch, Justin Peck, Julia Adam, Aszure Barton, and Jerome Robbins, among others.
In addition to his performance career, Oliver has established himself as a dynamic choreographer, creating works for Houston Ballet, Dance Alive National Ballet, Houston Contemporary Dance Company, and other prestigious organizations, including Mercury Ensemble, the Blaffer Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. He co-founded REACH, a platform supporting new choreographic works and arts education, alongside Melody Mennite and Connor Walsh. Together, they co-choreographed What We Keep for Houston Ballet in 2018. In 2019, Oliver debuted his first solo commission, Following, for Houston Ballet’s 50th Anniversary Season.
Since transitioning into a new creative role, Oliver has become the resident choreographer for New Orleans Ballet Theatre (NOBT). In May 2023, he premiered an original production of Romeo + Juliet for NOBT. Following its success, he debuted a new production of Dracula in May 2024, solidifying his place as a leading voice in contemporary ballet choreography.
Private Lessons at MBS offer both children and adults the unique opportunity to work one-on-one with a professional instructor. These personalized sessions are perfect for dancers looking to refine their technique, receive specialized coaching on YAGP choreography, or prepare for auditions. Whether you're aiming to challenge yourself with advanced technique, intensive pointe work, or need tailored training due to injury or specific needs, our private lessons provide the focused attention to help you reach your goals.
Join us this summer for inspiring ballet classes for children, teens, and adults — from our youngest dancers in Pre-Ballet to advanced intensives and adult beginner classes. Stay active, build technique, and enjoy the art of dance all summer long!
Limited spots available — register today!