Tatiana Stepanova (ballerina)

Tatiana Stepanova auditioned for and was accepted by the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow^[1] at the age of eleven and went on to study there full-time for six years.^[2] Upon completion of her training, she returned to her native home in Odesa, where she was invited to perform as Principal Dancer for the Odesa State Ballet Company. It was here that Stepanova was given the opportunity to dance the Principal Roles in an extensive classical, contemporary, and modern repertoire. She was honored with the status of Prima Ballerina, and awarded as a People's Artist of Ukraine.^{[citation needed]}

Stepanova has worked with Natalia Krassovska, George Zoritch, and Irina Baronova. Stepanova's international travels involved performing in many countries throughout the world including, Japan, Italy, Malta, Finland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Taiwan, Romania, and many cities across North America.

Stepanova was inspired by such great artists as Galina Ulanova, Marina Semyonova, and Maya Plisetskaya.

In 2004 Stepanova founded Stepanova Ballet Academy, located in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada. Under the artistic direction of Stepanova, Stepanova Ballet Academy has quickly become among the premier ballet/dance schools in Ontario.^[1]

In 2007, Stepanova founded Toronto International Ballet Theatre.

Under the Artistic Direction of Stepanova, Toronto International Ballet Theatre has successfully put on six professionally staged productions of The Nutcracker.

• Cinderella
• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
• Coppelia
• Graduation Ball
• Chippolino
• Hansel and Gretel
• Pinocchio
• My Way
• Thumbelina
• Snow White
• The Nutcracker
• Fairy Doll