On World Ballet Day 2025, we celebrate not only the beauty of dance itself, but the extraordinary people who nurture it — the teachers, mentors, and supporters who help our fellows rise, move, and dream.

Teachers & Mentors

The Creative Fellowship extends heartfelt thanks to — former Vienna State Ballet and Hamburg Ballet artist — who now shares her deep understanding of movement and body awareness as a certified Gyrotonic coachin Vienna at @mashrooom. Her thoughtful guidance helps our fellows and supporters stay strong, flexible, and healthy on their artistic journeys.

We also thank India Rose — professional dancer with Mon Premier Ballet and certified floor-barre instructor — for leading our online floor-barre sessions. Her classes bring balance, strength, and renewed body awareness to our community, helping developing artists stay grounded, flexible, and inspired.

Our gratitude extends to Sharon Booth, Artistic Director of Bolzano Danza Workshops and founder of InDancity Vienna, whose collaboration has opened doors for our fellows to take part in one of Europe’s most renowned international dance events. Her mentorship and generosity continue to empower young dancers, while InDancity provides a supportive space in Vienna to grow and refine their artistry year-round.

Calogero Failla, member of the Vienna State Ballet, first connected with us during the Vienna Summer Ballet Intensives. He now supports our dancing fellows as a teacher and mentor, sharing his professional knowledge and artistic experience. Alongside this, we are developing a new pilot project with him exploring innovative forms of creative collaboration and storytelling within the world of dance.

And at the heart of our journey stands Robert Gabdullin — former First Soloist of the Vienna State Ballet and now teacher at the Ballettakademie der Wiener Staatsoper — whom we fondly call the godfather of our Dance Fellowship. From our very first days, Robert has been there — mentoring, advising, teaching, and choreographing some of our most adventurous artistic projects.

Dance Fellows — the next generation

Viktoria Koceva, Creative Fellowship recipient at the Salzburg Opera Camps 2022, has since graduated as a professional dancer from the Institute of Dance Arts at Goce Delchev University of Štip (Skopje) under the guidance of @risimarisimkin. She performs with the Skopje Dance Theater, appearing in internationally acclaimed productions such as Identities – History of a Stretched Dream at the Théâtre de Chaillot in Paris. Alongside her stage work, she teaches Pilates in Skopje and remains active in our alumni network, mentoring younger participants.

Polina Rozumnyak, a dance student from Ukraine and Creative Fellowship recipient at the Salzburg Opera Camps 2022 and 2024, bridges classical and contemporary technique to explore the expressive intersection of dance and opera. She has performed solos and ensemble works at the Salzburg Opera Camps and now shares her creativity with younger students at a community center in Germany.

Emīls Jānis Ungurs, recipient of the Vienna Ballet Summer Intensive 2023 Fellowship, is now pursuing his professional dance career with the Latvian National Opera and Ballet in Riga.

Savelij Shevtsov, a Creative Fellowship recipient originally from Serbia, is currently in his second year of training at the Vienna State Opera Ballet Academy. Supported by the Fellowship, he continues to refine his technique, artistry, and stage presence.

Davor Milev, a contemporary dance student at the Ilija Nikolovski-Luj State Music and Ballet School in Skopje, became a valued member of our community when he received full support to attend the Bolzano Danza Workshops 2025 in Italy. We proudly continue to accompany him as he prepares his audition portfolio to apply to leading dance institutions with a focus on classical ballet.

💖 Gratitude

This World Ballet Day, we celebrate not just movement — but mentorship, artistry, and the spirit of those who keep it alive.
To our teachers, mentors, supporters, and fellows — thank you for making the world of dance a place of growth, generosity, and inspiration.