Kozlova Student Nikita Boris to Dance at the Mariinsky Theater This December

Nikita Boris and Justin Valentine will star in Valentina Kozlova's "Nutcracker Winter Suite," an all-dance, one-hour production that opens with the Snow Scene. Both students of Kozlova, the exceptional young dancers participated in the Kozlova International Ballet Competition last April in New York City and were awarded scholarships to the Vaganova Ballet Academy, directed by Nikolai Tsisaridze, in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Justin will return to Russia after the performance to continue his one-year scholarship, and Nikita has completed her 2-month scholarship. At the recent Vaganova-Prix in St. Petersburg, the 16-year old Nikita won a special distinction award for her artistry as well as being recognized as an audience favorite. She was honored to be invited to perform the variation from the Giselle Peasant Pas de Deux at the Mariinsky Theater.

For more information, visit: https://www.mariinsky.ru/en/