“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 | 2014
Dec
19
2014
Dancer Experiences Russia
NorthNeighborNews.com: This past summer, Caroline auditioned for and was once again chosen as one of approximately 100 dancers from around the world to attend the Bolshoi Ballet’s summer intensive program in New York City. In addition, 15 dancers from around the United States were then chosen to go to Moscow to the Bolshoi Ballet Academy on full scholarship for an additional six weeks of study. Read More
Dec
9
2014
Letters From Moscow: San Angelo Ballerina Relays Stories from Bolshoi
San Angelo LIVE!: “Slovar, slovar,” writes Emma Armstrong in a blog post dated Nov. 26. Translated, she describes, the Russian word means “dictionary”, a one-syllable utterance she and her classmates have become all too familiar with in their courses at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia over the past five weeks. Read More
Nov
11
2014
Summer in Russia Prepares Teen for ‘Nutcracker’ Role
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL: Elizabeth Lindsey, 16, a homeschooled student who lives in Mountain Brook, will perform as the Sugar Plum Fairy in next month’s production of “The Nutcracker” by the Birmingham Ballet. And the teen ballerina said it will take all of the lessons she learned at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow to perfect the technically and physically demanding role. Read More
Oct
7
2014
Local Girl Dances with Bolshoi
The Loop: Through the New York-based Russian American Foundation (RAF) and the NSLI FOR YOUTH Program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Olivia spent six weeks at the renowned academy studying Russian language, culture and ballet. Read More
Sept
5
2014
Máire New Is First Alaskan to Attend Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow
Classicalite: A year later she attended the Bolshoi Ballet academy’s six-week intensive in New York in partnership with the Russian American Foundation. She returned in 2013 and was also chosen for a scholarship to study Russian culture and ballet at the Bolshoi for another six weeks. Read More
Sept
5
2014
San Angelo Ballerina Invited to Attend World's Most Prestigious Ballet School In Moscow
San Angelo LIVE!: With only eight American students among the over 700 enrolled at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, entrance to the historic school is extremely selective, reserved for only the most promising dancers around the world on an invite-only basis. Read More
Aug
21
2014
A Dancer Dreams Across the World
The New York Times: In 2012, [Máire New] attended the Bolshoi Ballet academy six-week intensive in New York, run in partnership with the Russian American Foundation. She returned the following year, when she was also chosen for a scholarship to study Russian culture and ballet abroad at the Bolshoi for another six weeks. “The goal is to break down stereotypes between our countries,” Ms. New said. “But on top of that, we had this incredible opportunity.” Read More
Aug
28
2014
Magic City to Moscow: Young dancer completes NSLI-Y program at Bolshoi Academy
AL.com: Birmingham teen Elizabeth Lindsey, 16, was able to spend six weeks this summer studying ballet, as well as Russian language and culture at the famed academy in Moscow, part of a program sponsored by the Russian American Foundation. Read More
Aug
25
2014
Jamesport girl trained with famed Bolshoi Ballet
The Suffolk Times: “The Bolshoi is the biggest company in the world,” Ms. Kiel, a Babylon native, said. “And to have us accepted there was —” “A little bit surreal, I think, right?” Aela’s father, Gene, interjected. “I almost didn’t believe it.” Read More
Aug
21
2014
Young dancers reach for the stars at prestigious summer programs
RiverheadLOCAL: Aela Bailey, 9, lives in Jamesport and attends Aquebogue Elementary School. She spent her summer with the Bolshoi Ballet’s summer intensive program in New York, steps from Lincoln Center at the LaGuardia School of Performing Arts. Read More
July
21
2014
Ballet along the Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Daily Eagle: Tourists whipped out their cameras as six students from the Annual Bolshoi Ballet Academy Summer Intensive visited the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday to photograph some of their dance moves. Read More
July
15
2014
TJC’s Jewish News Week in Review
The Jewish Channel: Presbyterians vote in favor of BDS; Jews across the world campaign to #bringbackourboys, the three kidnapped Israeli teenagers; renowned violinist Phillipe Quint stages a concert for the Russian American Foundation; and a peek at our “Up Close” interview with Rabbi Daniel Sperber, author of “On The Relationship of Mitzvot Between Man and His Neighbor and Man and His Maker.” Read More
June
11
2014
Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Speaks At 12th Annual Russian Heritage Month Opening Reception
NYC Gov: Mayor de Blasio: Dobryi vechir. I hope my practice worked. It is a joy to be with you this evening. I want to thank Marina, for her wonderful contributions, not only to this evening, but to the community, for her dedication as a founding president of the Russian-American Foundation. Let’s thank Marina for all she has done. Read More