2025–2026 Competition Team Workshop & Audition

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Veronika 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.

Kirill Bak-Stepanoff
Artistic Director | Ballet Master | Co-Founder of Minnesota Ballet Theatre & School

Kirill Bak-Stepanoff is an accomplished ballet artist, master teacher, and director, known for his dedication to classical ballet training and performance.
A native of Saint Petersburg, Russia, he graduated from the prestigious Vaganova Ballet Academy, one of the world's leading institutions for ballet education.

Following his graduation, Kirill danced professionally with some of Russia’s most distinguished companies, including the renowned Eifman Ballet and Mikhailovsky Opera & Ballet Theatre. As a soloist, he performed leading roles across a wide range of classical and contemporary repertoire, earning acclaim for his artistry, technical precision, and stage presence.

In 2001, Kirill co-founded the Minnesota Ballet Theatre & School (formerly Academy of Russian Ballet) in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. As Artistic Director, he has been instrumental in shaping the school's vision — delivering Vaganova-based ballet education while nurturing generations of dancers who have gone on to professional careers across the United States.

Today, Kirill Bak-Stepanoff is highly respected for his masterful teaching, deep knowledge of ballet technique, and commitment to passing on the traditions of Russian classical ballet to new generations.

Lucia Erickson, a Soloist with Philadelphia Ballet, is celebrated for her expressive artistry, refined technique, and commanding stage presence. Originally from Minnetonka, Minnesota, she began her ballet training at the age of three at the Academy of Russian Ballet (now Minnesota Ballet Theatre & School) in Eden Prairie, under the direction of Svetlana Bak-Gavrilova and Kirill Bak-Stepanoff.

Her dedication and talent led her to attend prestigious summer intensives at Minnesota Dance Theater, Marat Daukayev School of Ballet, The Rock School, the School of Philadelphia Ballet, and the School of American Ballet. At 16, she relocated to Philadelphia to train full-time at the School of Philadelphia Ballet.

Lucia joined Philadelphia Ballet II for the 2018–2019 season, quickly rising through the ranks. She was promoted to the Corps de Ballet in 2019, to Demi Soloist in 2020, and eventually to Soloist. Her repertoire includes standout roles in Don Quixote (Cupid, Flower Girl), George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® (Dew Drop, Lead Marzipan), La Bayadère (Shades Pas de Trois), and Divertimento No. 15 (Soloist), as well as contemporary works such as Juliano Nunes’ Connection and Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room.

Outside of ballet, Lucia is pursuing academic studies at the Community College of Philadelphia and studying Italian. She continues to inspire audiences with her dynamic performances and deep commitment to the art of ballet.

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.