HISTORY

Originally founded in 2000 by legendary Ukrainian Ballet Masters Vadim Fedotov and Irina Depler, The Russian Ballet Orlando (RBO) is a 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit organization and one of the pre-eminent ballet organizations in the United States. In 2021 they began their professional company. RBO has built a reputation presenting bold works that set the tone for the company's emergence as a powerhouse among Florida-based ballet companies.

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BORN IN KIEV, UKRAINE

Katerina Fedotova's parents, Vadim Fedotov and Irina Depler were Principal Dancers of the National Theater of Ukraine, leading her and her sister to be immersed in the theatrical world from the very beginning. They grew up within the walls of the 150 years historical “Kiev Theater", living in the fairy-tale world stage of the Russian Ballet.

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In the fall of 1996, her father, Vadim Fedotov accepted an offer to choreograph a 30-minute Nutcracker at Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida. During his three-month stay, Barbara Riggins, former Artistic Director and founder of Southern Ballet Theater (now known as Orlando Ballet) saw Vadim’s production and immediately offered him a resident position. The Company Associates were equally captivated by Vadim’s artistic style of ballet choreography; they moved swiftly to offer him an executive membership position within their company. Vadim and Irina officially became members of the Southern Ballet Theater in 1997.

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Irina Depler swiftly became the Ballet Mistress and chief training coach for the Orlando Ballet while Katerina's sister, Darya Fedotova, and her husband, Sergiy Mikhaylov, became principal dancers for Orlando Ballet. Katerina continued to perform while studying full-time at UCF.

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In June 2000, their family took a huge leap of faith and opened their own ballet school, “Russian Ballet Orlando” at The Plaza Theater in Downtown Orlando on Bumby Avenue.

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EXPANSION

Within 3 years Russian Ballet Orlando became one of the top 5 ballet schools in Florida and the Fetodov's expanded their operation with a second school in Waterford Lakes, Florida. Vadim and Irina became the directors of our Waterford Studio, while Katerina became the director of the original Bumby Studio. Darya and Sergiy launched a third location called the School of Russian Ballet, becoming the leading ballet instructors in Sarasota, FL.
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In 2009 Katerina Fetodova had the honor of becoming the President of the Board for the Russian Ballet Orlando. Since then she has been acting as the Director and President of the board for Russian Ballet Orlando. She plans on continuing her family's legacy by educating and training young, aspiring dancers to succeed and pursue their professional careers in ballet.
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"My main goal at Russian Ballet Orlando is to provide dancers with opportunities to train in the Russian “Vaganova” method while building their professional resumes through solo performances and principal roles in productions. Upon graduation, Russian Ballet Orlando students will have an impressive resume filled with strong experiences that will open doors for them in the dance world as well as the opportunity to join our company." 
​-Katerina Fedotova