Meet your esteemed and world-renowned guest instructors for this year's 2022 Junior and Senior Summer Intensive. More instructors to be announced!
Mr. Sterling Baca
Principal Dancer, Philadelphia Ballet
Sterling Baca began his training at age 11 at the Academy of Colorado Ballet and later with world-renowned instructor German Zamuel. He then studied with American Ballet Theatre (ABT), before joining the Philadelphia Ballet, formerly Pennsylvania Ballet, as a Principal Dancer for the 2016/2017 season. Since joining, he has tackled featured and principal roles in a varied repertoire that includes full-length ballets such as Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella (Prince); Angel Corella’s Le Corsaire (Conrad), Swan Lake (Prince), and The Sleeping Beauty (Prince Desire); and Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo & Juliet (Romeo). He has also performed in contemporary works like Brian Sanders’ Chicken Bone Brain, or a more classical approach such as in George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, Jewels, and Western Symphony (Fourth Movement).
Mr. RunQiao Du
Artistic Director, Kirov Academy & Founder, Runqiao Du Ballet Coaching
Mr. Du was born in Shanghai, China. At the age of 11, he was selected and awarded scholarship to study at the famed Shanghai School of Dance. Upon graduating with honors, Mr. Du moved to the United States to begin his performing career with The Washington Ballet. During his nearly 20-year tenure with TWB, he performed various leading roles in classical and neoclassical ballets including Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Albrecht in Giselle, Prince Charming in Cinderella, Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the Prince in Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty, and the Cavalier in The Nutcracker.
In 2019, Mr. Du became the Artistic Director of the Kirov Academy in Washington D.C., and is the founder and Artistic Director of “Runqiao Du Ballet Coaching”, an online ballet program that provides quality live ballet lessons for worldwide access.