About Us

Julia Zharova was born in Moscow, Russia.

Her mom introduced her to early ballet classes at age of 5.

Julia started her professional ballet career at age of 11.

 

In 2001 Julia  graduated  from the Ballet School with the Diploma of Honors as a Ballet dancer.

During her study Julia performed  with the Kremlin Ballet, appearing in "Cinderella", "Don Quixote", and “Swan Lake" among others.

 

She continued her professional ballet education in one of the most prestigious Russian Academy of Theater Art (GITIS).

 

In 2007 Julia graduated GITIS Academy with Honors and received the Masters Degree in Choreography and Theater Arts. Her teachers at the academy included world-famous Russian dancers, such as Nina Semizorova, Vladimir Valukin, Lia Talankina. Julia considers herself fortunate to have studied with the true guardians of the Russian ballet tradition.

 

Upon graduation, Moscow Stanislavsky Ballet Theater invited Julia to join the company. Her classical repertoire from this time period included "Sleeping Beauty", "Giselle", "Don Quixote", "Paquita", "The Nutcracker", "Chopiniana", "La Esmeralda", "Corsair", "Swan Lake".  Her global tours included performances at the Royal Opera House in London, American Ballet Theater in New York, Colorado Ballet in Denver, Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, and other prominent venues in North America and Western Europe.

 

After moving to San Francisco and giving birth to her daughter, Ms. Zharova decided to dedicate her life to teaching ballet and inspiring children through the art of the dance. Her first stop was the Presidio Dance Theater, where she has pursued teaching and dancing, giving multiple performances at the War Memorial and Palace of Fine Arts.

 

In 2010 she founded the 1st Russian Ballet School at the Russian Center of San Francisco, where kids of all ages and adults were learning the celebrated Russian style of ballet dancing.

 

In 2021 Julia with her husband and 3 daughters moved to New Bern, North Carolina.