Meet the Faculty

Together with Artistic Director Natalya Getman, Elena Petrichenko and Sergey Chumakov form a teaching trio unlike any other — a perfect balance of precision, passion, and humanity.
Their artistry, humility, and devotion to their craft create an atmosphere where technique becomes poetry and every dancer is inspired to awaken, refine, and embody their dream…

  • A woman with black hair, blue eyes, and wearing a black shirt, looking at the camera against a plain neutral background.

    NATALYA GETMAN

    Graceful, multi-talented and visionary Artistic Director, Teacher and Choreographer, Natalya embodies the rare balance between artistic excellence and deep humanity. Refined through a lifetime on stage and teaching career, she has transformed generations of dancers with her blend of discipline, charisma, and creative intuition. As Artistic Director of Bossov Ballet Theatre in Maine, USA, she bridges the precision of Russian classical ballet with the expressive freedom of modern artistry. Her presence in the studio is both inspiring and grounding — a place where passion meets purpose, and where students learn not only to dance, but to discover the full reach of their own potential.

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  • A woman with dark, curly hair smiling and wearing a white, ruffled, striped blouse with lace details and a necklace, standing against a plain background.

    ELENA PETRICHENKO

    Passionate, enthusiastic, and endlessly generous in spirit, Elena is a dancer and teacher who embodies the harmony between discipline and humanity. Having performed on stages across the world, she brings precision, warmth, and a contagious sense of joy to everything she does. For decades, she has shared the stage with her husband and artistic partner, Sergey, creating performances celebrated for their grace, strength, and emotional power. Both an artist and a mentor, Elena fills the studio with light — guiding her students not only to dance beautifully, but to become the art they perform.

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  • A man with light skin and brown hair, wearing a blue and green plaid shirt with rolled-up sleeves, posing against a beige background.

    SERGEY CHUMAKOV

    Dynamic, bold, and endlessly curious, Sergey is an artist whose presence fills any stage and any classroom. He has spent decades performing internationally with Elena, his lifelong partner on and off stage. Together they’ve captivated audiences through their unique fusion of dance and acrobatics.
    He is renowned for his expressive athleticism, creativity, and fearless pursuit of discovery. Even after decades of international acclaim, Sergey teaches with humility and humor, igniting energy, courage, and imagination — an invitation to push beyond limits and embody the freedom of dance itself.

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Testimonials

  • “Natalya Getman is one of the finest teachers of classical dance I have met — a truly exceptional, inspired teacher of classical dance.”

    — Martin Freddman, Founder and Director, Japan Grand Prix International Ballet Competition.

  • “Natalya Getman has been instrumental in shaping me as an individual. Her mentorship extended beyond the studio, teaching me resilience, self-discipline, and dedication. The most valuable lesson I learned from her is to follow your heart and work hard, believing that everything will fall into place. Her guidance has been a cornerstone in my development as an aspiring professional, helping me navigate the complexities of the dance world. Natalya’s confidence and unwavering support have instilled a profound sense of purpose in my dance career. I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to learn from her, and her impact on my life is something I will cherish forever.”

    — Noah Speed, USA, Dancer at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

  • "Natalya taught me the most important lesson, that performing on stage is a great privilege."

    — Hannah Holtsclaw, Principal Dancer at Pensacola Ballet.

  • "Her guidance is full of kindness, love and is easy to follow, and she genuinely cares for all her students. She gave me so much—not only in ballet, but also in manners, mental strength, expressiveness, and teamwork with my friends. Her classes helped me love ballet even more, and I am so grateful for the happy and precious time I spent with her. I love her."

    — Kokoha Goto, Japan, Former Student

  • “Natalya reconnected me with dance and allowed me to find that spark of passion again. She has helped me realize that although I may not be a professional dancer, I can use the disciplines from ballet to be a well-rounded person. I will continue to carry her words with me through life and I know I can always turn to her if I ever need anything”

    — Maxine Pallante, USA, Former Student

  • “Natalya Getman is an extraordinary teacher and role model. For many of us, she became like a second mother, providing guidance that extended beyond dance (…) Natalya dedicated herself to helping us become not only exceptional dancers but also outstanding individuals. I carry many lessons from her, such as the importance of hard work and being present in every moment.”

    — Taylor Pronovost, USA, Former Student

  • "Natalya Getman, the artistic director, is not merely an exceptional master of the Vaganova technique; she embodies inspiration herself. With her strong dedication to both technical and artistic excellence, Ms. Getman motivates us every day to reach our highest potential while celebrating our unique qualities."

    María O’Farril, México, Former Student

  • “One of the things that I appreciate most about Natalya is her outstanding care for each individual that passes by her, both through the program and in regular everyday life. She remembers all of her students’ names, stories, and even specific ballet corrections years after they graduate, and the assiduity that she gives to every one of her students can make it feel as though it’s a private one-to-one class. Natalya strikes the perfect balance of rigid professionalism and warm personal connection to foster a deep bond with her students that goes far beyond a ballet instructor.”

    — Hector Bligh, UK/Canada, Former Student

  • “Natalya’s teaching is unlike any teacher I have ever had. Her attention to detail and pure love for the art form is so valuable (…) Even now, being in a company, I still carry all of the corrections and words of wisdom she provided for me. I would not be the same dancer I am today if it was not for Natalya.”

    — Eva Walden, Soloist at Portland Ballet