Our People
Kirill Bak Stepanoff : Artistic Director/ Choreographer/Dancer
Kirill graduated the world famous and most prestigious Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia under the instruction of Vladlen Semenov, current Master teacher at American Ballet Theatre and former Mariinsky Theater (Kirov Ballet) principal dancer and instructor.
After graduation in 1985 Kirill joined the Boris Eifman Ballet Theater, where he danced many solo roles. Kirill became company member with Mikhailovsky State Opera and Ballet Theatre were he toured and performed in many countries across Europe.
1998-2000 principal danced with Ballet Minnesota.
2001-2017 cofounder-director and Master teacher of Academy of Russia Ballet in Minnesota.
2018 - present cofounder-director and Master teacher of Minnesota Ballet School
2018 - present Minnesota Ballet Theatre artistic director and cofounder
SAMANTHA HOWE (Guest Artist)
Samantha, originally from Windsor, CT, trained at Connecticut Concert Ballet in her early years under direction of Wendy Fish-Lawrence and David Lawrence. She then left home to train at Walnut Hill School for the Arts during her high school years. Upon graduating in 2017, Sam joined Ballet Austin’s fellowship program and second company where she had the opportunity to perform George Balanchine’s Valse Fantaisie, and Petipa’s Paquita Pas de Trois. She then joined Ballet Tucson as a senior apprentice. In 2021 she started her first season as an apprentice with Rochester City Ballet and was promoted mid-season to a company member. Being in the corps de ballet of George Balanchine’s Concerto Barroco has been her favorite moment on stage so far in her professional career.
LIAM COLCLOUGH (Guest Artist)
Liam started his ballet training at age four with the School of the Minnesota Ballet. He has attended summer intensives at Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet Austin, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, and Ellison Ballet NYC. Some of Liam’s most notable roles include Fritz and Russian dancer in Allen Fields’ The Manhattan Nutcracker, and the male lead in Giselle: Peasant Pas de Deux, staged by Karin Ellis-Wentz. After competing and receiving first place at Youth America Grand Prix regionals in 2020, Liam received a full tuition scholarship to train with Joffrey Academy in Chicago where he danced from 2020-2022. At Joffrey, he studied character, classical ballet, contemporary, Cunningham, and Horton techniques. In 2022, Liam received first and third places at Youth America Grand Prix regionals and competed as a finalist in Tampa. He currently dances with the Rochester City Ballet.
ANDREW LESTER (Guest Artist)
Andrew is an award-winning professional dancer based in St. Paul. Andrew graduated with his BFA in Dance from the University of Minnesota in 2006 and has gone on to become a staple of the Twin Cities dance community for almost 20 years. He was a full-time company member of James Sewell Ballet for six seasons. He has also been dancing with local modern company Shapiro & Smith Dance for over 12 years. As a freelance artist, he has collaborated with a variety of esteemed Minnesota companies, including Twin Cities Ballet of MN, Metropolitan Ballet, Continental Ballet, Eclectic Edge Ensemble, Ethnic Dance Theatre, Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater, and the Minnesota Opera. In 2012, he was honored to receive a Sage Award for Outstanding Performer for his work in Shapiro & Smith’s Family and Joseph Morrissey's One. Career highlights include performing for modern dance legend Merce Cunningham, studying under the tutelage of celebrated ballerina Anna-Marie Holmes, and premiering Titicut Follies: The Ballet with James Sewell Ballet in New York City and at the Festival de Danse in Cannes, France.
ALEC TRELSTAD (Guest Artist)
Alec is a dancer, actor, and visual artist native to Minnesota. He has performed at multiple venues around the twin cities including Ritz Theater, The Guthrie Theater, The Cowles Center. This is Alec’s second classical ballet appearance through MN Ballet School’s training and is excited to be afforded the chance to dance. “I encourage dancers of any discipline or style to really immerse yourself in this amazing art form. It will challenge you, make you more confident in technique and push your boundaries of musical expression.”
MATILDA BAK (MBS alumna)
Matilda began her ballet journey with MBS at the age of three and continues to excel in the advanced level. Throughout her time with MBS, Matilda showcased her artistry in various MBS/ARB original productions, including enchanting performances in Peter and the Wolf, Carnival of the Animals, and other classical ballet repertoire.
Her exceptional skills and dedication led her to perform as Clara, the Arabian Solo, and the Snow Queen in MBS's annual production of The Nutcracker.
We are proud to announce that this season, Matilda will embark on an exciting new chapter in her dance career as she joins New Orleans Ballet Theatre as a trainee. We wish her every success and can't wait to see her shine on new stages.
ALIAKSANDRA KRUKAVA (Guest Artist)
Aliaksandra is a proud graduate of the Minsk Ballet Academy, where she honed her skills before venturing into a transformative 6-month internship in Manchester, UK.
As a Principal Dancer at the Minsk State Theatre of Opera and Ballet and the Russian National Ballet, Aliaksandra has graced the stage with elegance and precision. Her repertoire includes iconic roles such as Odillia in "Swan Lake," Kitry in "Don Quixote," and Princess Aurora in "Sleeping Beauty."
A seasoned performer with an 8-year career, Aliaksandra's dance style is a fusion of dynamic energy and traditional grace, evident in her unforgettable portrayal of Kitry in "Don Quixote."
Join us in celebrating Aliaksandra's artistry—a dance journey that harmonizes body movements with musical rhythms, creating a visual masterpiece with every performance.
NURLAN KINERBAYEV (Guest Artist)
Born in the cultural heart of Taraz, Kazakhstan, Nurlan is a luminary in the world of ballet. A graduate of the Almaty Choreographic College and the University Bolashak, Kyzylorda, Nurlan's journey as a ballet dancer has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Nurlan's artistry has graced the stages of renowned ballet companies, including the Moscow City Ballet and the Russian National Ballet. His remarkable talent shines through a diverse repertoire of lead roles, encompassing iconic characters like Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, Basilio in Don Quixote, Prince Desire in Sleeping Beauty, and Albert in Giselle, to name a few.
Beyond his laurels as a laureate of International Ballet Competitions, Nurlan embodies versatility in his craft. A collaborative artist, he seamlessly navigates between drama, comedy, and romance, taking direction with finesse. Nurlan's dedication is unparalleled, practicing a role until it achieves perfection.
In every pirouette and grand jeté, Nurlan Mr Kinerbayev continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his artistic prowess and unwavering commitment to the timeless beauty of ballet.
BORIS CEBALLOS (Guest Artist)
Boris, a native of Cali, Colombia, commenced his dance journey at the Colombian Classical Ballet Institute (Incolballet) at a young age. His early training included active participation in numerous festivals with the company and engagements in competitions and events alongside the Cuban National Ballet.
Subsequently, Boris made a significant move to New York City, where he completed his education at ABT (JKO) under the esteemed guidance of Franco De Vita, Raymond Lukens, Martine van Hamel, and Kevin McKenzie. During this time, he honed his skills and developed into a dancer of exceptional caliber.
As a former principal dancer with Orlando Ballet, Boris has left an indelible mark on the dance scene. His talents have been showcased in various prestigious competitions and galas, including YAGP, ADC, WBC, IBC USA, and IBC China, where he not only participated but also garnered acclaim as both a dancer and choreographer.
Currently, Boris Ceballos is actively contributing to the dance community as part of Skyra Studios in Orlando, collaborating with Henry Hernandez. His artistry and expertise continue to unfold, promising a captivating experience for audiences.
Witness the enchanting magic as Boris Ceballos graces our stage, adding an extra layer of artistry to our beloved production.