Guest Teachers

Nina Deacon is a freelance dancer, teacher and choreographer based out of New York City. She started taking Elena’s class as a preteen and her appreciation and love for Elena’s class continues to grow every time she takes it! Nina currently teaches dance and Pilates inspired exercises to ages four to ninety-four. Nina has taught as an adjunct professor at Barnard College, and The New School in addition to master classes throughout New Jersey and Long Island. She currently is the head teacher at the dance program for the Richard Rodger’s School of Arts and Technology. Nina’s performing career continues to encapsulate modern, ballet, multicultural dance companies, and operas as well as original off- Broadway musicals and plays. She has also choreographed several full length off-Broadway musicals, operas and showcases. Nina is delighted and honored to be teaching with Ballet Atelier. See you at the ballet barre!

Natiya Kezevadze started her training in Classical Ballet at V. Chabukiani State Ballet School in Tbilisi, Georgia. At age thirteen, she was accepted to the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet on full scholarship in St-Petersburg, Russia. While at the Academy, Natiya studied with professor T. Udalenkova, performed extensively on the celebrated Mariinsky Stage, and received her BFA. She joined Boris Eifman Dance Company, and then was a soloist with Ballet Classic. Natiya moved to NYC in 2004 to further pursue her performing career, and a year later joined Forces of Nature Dance Theater Company, under the direction of Abdel Salaam. In 2007 she joined Complexions Contemporary Ballet, touring worldwide performing works by Dwight Rhoden, Desmond Richardson, Igal Perry and Jae Man Joo. In 2012, Ms. Kezevadze left touring life to focus on motherhood, and to embrace her love for teaching. She has taught at the Joffrey Experience in NYC, Broadway Dance Center, Steps and Alvin Ailey. Natiya was an assistant choreographer with the New York City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute and for Dwight Rhoden’s original international production of the Great Gatsby Ballet. Today, Natiya continues performing with Complexions as Rehearsal Director, teaching as Master faculty at the Complexions Academy, and collaborates in various dance projects.