Julie Van Der Karr
Artistic Director

Julie Van Der Karr began her dance education at the Boitsov Classical Ballet School in Chicago, Illinois, under Madame Elizabeth Boitsov where she studied the first five years of the Vaganova Method. She continued her studies in the advanced levels of the Method in New York City, where she also learned and practiced the Boris Kniaseff Floor Barre Method with Daniel Mejia. In Washington, DC she attended the advanced level summer program at the Kirov Academy under Mariinsky/Kirov Prima Ballerina Alla Sizova. Her dance credits also include the Roudnev Ballet and Tennessee Ballet Theatre.

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Ms. Van Der Karr is a pedagogical student of the Vaganova Method and has been certified to teach beginning through advanced levels by the Bolshoi Ballet Academy of Russia.

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Ms. Van Der Karr holds a BA in World Languages and Literature from the University of Memphis with a Minor in Dance. She is an ambassador of Bikram Yoga and participated in the USA Yoga Asana Championship.

Ms. Van Der Karr is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with the next generation of aspiring dancers and the St. Petersburg Festival of Dance.