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“On behalf of the United States Government, I congratulate the Russian American Foundation and the Bolshoi Ballet Academy on 15 years of successful partnership. Your collaboration has deepened ties between the U.S. and Russian dance communities and encouraged cross cultural understanding through the arts, despite the challenges in the official bilateral relationship. Your success demonstrates that the Russian and American people can perform, learn, and thrive side-by-side. I wish you many more years of successful collaboration ahead.”
- Honorable John J. Sullivan, U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation, 2022
“The Russian American Foundation’s contributions to cultural, educational, and sports programs in the United States and Russia help foster greater understanding between the people. Such programs highlight the things that the American and Russian people have in common.”
- Honorable Michael A. McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation, 2012
In The News | 2019 - 2022
Nov
21
2019
Opinion: I Miss Moscow
GreenwichTime: "Greenwich Academy student Natalie Roxana Majd, a Darien resident, recently visited Moscow as part of the National Security Language Initiative for Youth: <..> I traveled to Moscow over the summer through this U.S. Department of State funded program, which allows high school students to serve as youth ambassadors while learning languages and experiencing cultures strategic to our country’s security and diplomatic efforts. ” Read More
Nov
21
2019
Alumna Finds Her Footing with the Russian Language, through Dance
NSLI-Y Alumni Highlights: "As one of the only freshmen in her NSLI-Y program, Sophia was selected in 2014 to take part in the NSLI-Y Bolshoi program, a ballet dance and language study exchange to Moscow, Russia, led by the Russian American Foundation. Her time in Russia boosted her Russian language skills and expanded her cultural awareness and appreciation.” Read More
Nov
1
2019
Beal City High School student studies Russian and ballet in Moscow on scholarship
The Morning Sun: "Beal City High School junior, Rosalie Daniels, is one of 13 students nationwide that was awarded a scholarship from the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y). The NSLI-Y is a program sponsored by the U.S. State Department that promotes language learning among the youth. People all over the country with good academic standing can apply.” Read More
Sept
26
2019
Moscow Immersion
Shelburne News: "Madeline Sawyer studied in Russia for six weeks over the summer, having been awarded a full merit-based scholarship from the U.S. Department of State. Sawyer, 17, is a senior at Rice Memorial High School and Shelburne resident. She was part of a group of 14 high school students from across the U.S. who served as ambassadors, studied Russian language and <...>” Read More
Sept
21
2019
Tiptoeing through Moscow
Adirondack Daily Enterprise: "Dellice Chase loves to travel, but Russia had never popped up on her list of places to visit. But after months of interviews, written exams and even more interviews, Dellice was going to Russia.” Read More
Sept
10
2019
Ballet dancer travels to Russia to dance
NBC5: "Dellice Chase danced in six-week program at Bolshoi Ballet Academy... “It was such an amazing experience. It's a chance of a lifetime I feel like, because the Bolshoi is so world renowned. Just being able to dance with them was an incredible experience,” - Chase said.” Read More
Sept
6
2019
From Saranac Lake to Moscow: ballet, new friends and learning Russian
North Country Public Radio: “A Saranac Lake high school student got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity this summer to study ballet at the renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow. Dellice Chase, 16, was the only New York State resident in a group of 14 high school students chosen for the six-week cultural immersion program in Russia.” Read More
Aug
23
2019
Wilmington student awarded NSLI-Y scholarship
StarNews Online: “Maisie Boren, an Isaac Bear high school student, was awarded a National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) scholarship for 2018-19 by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Maisie studied Russian in Moscow, Russia this summer. Read More
Aug
20
2019
From "до свидания" to new friendships
NSLI-Y Interactive: Only after a short period of 6 weeks, my Russian improved greater than I ever imagined. Russian remains difficult, but it becomes easier and more comfortable to digest, especially when you have the supportive and encouraging community I found during the NSLI-y Russian summer program. Read More
Aug
18
2019
Joven boricua vive una experiencia única en Rusia
Para el joven Alihelmael Avilés Sánchez, los boricuas deberían ser algo así como abejas: ir a diversos lugares, extraer lo más que puedan, regresar a casa y polinizar al país para que florezca.Esta idea la afianzó este verano cuando estuvo seis semanas en Rusia. Solicitó al programa National Security Language Initiative del Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos y, de entre 3,500 estudiantes, fue el único puertorriqueño seleccionado de un grupo de 16 jóvenes. Read More
June
20
2019
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams recognized the achievements of the Russian-speaking New Yorkers with memorable proclamations
"In the historic Brooklyn borough Hall was held the ceremony of awarding the representatives of the new York Russian-American community with honorary diplomas of the President of Brooklyn Eric Adams". Read More
June
12
2019
Mayor de Blasio welcomes Russian-speaking New Yorkers
Brighton Beach has come to Gracie Mansion — join us to celebrate the Annual Russian Heritage Month! Watch Video
Apr
19
2019
BBASI Alumni Featured at YAGP's 20th Anniversary Gala
“It’s cliché to say, but it really connects the young generation with amazing opportunities and possibilities,” said ABT’s Gabe Stone Shayer before taking his seat. “I, myself, through YAGP trained at the Bolshoi Ballet academy in Russia.” Read More
Apr
4
2019
Dancing to new opportunities
“I’m just really excited for Bolshoi this summer,” Lily said. “I was really surprised about getting into it because it’s one of the most elite summer programs.” Read More
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