Victoria Barretti-Rhine

Victoria Barretti-Rhine began her ballet training at the age of 8 under the instruction of Nadia Zhivotenko, an honors graduate from the Tashkent State Choreographic School of Russia and Bolshoi State Theater soloist. Then, her formative teen years were spent studying under Bolshoi Ballerina Anastasia Erchov, a Vaganova Academy graduate from the class of Natalia Dudinskaya - the last celebrated student of Agrippina Vaganova herself.

Living in New York, Victoria had the opportunity to continue studying with the world’s best Vaganova Ballet Method pedagogues, including Simon Kazantsev, Slava Fadayev, Yana Volkova, Anna Fateeva, and Andrei Kisslev. Additionally, Victoria spent her summers training with Gelsey Kirkland and at American Ballet Theatre in NYC.

Ultimately, it was Ballerina Irina Lebedeva that accelerated Victoria’s technique and growth as a dancer. Irina Lebedeva was awarded a score of 5 1⁄2 at Perm Ballet Academy where the highest possible score is only 5. It was Irina’s magnificent coaching that allowed Victoria to carve out a reputation and career for herself, despite growing up as a recreational dancer.

With these prestigious teachers, Victoria learned and performed excerpts from renowned classical ballets such as: La Bayadère, Coppélia, Le Corsaire, La Esmeralda, Giselle, The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Sylvia and more.

Victoria primarily danced as a freelancer in New York City. In 2019, she joined a contemporary ballet company where she was delightfully challenged with modern works from Latina choreographers such as Ursula Verduzco and Beatriz Madrid Díaz. She also broadened her repertoire to include contemporary pieces with infusions of Limón, Graham and Cunningham techniques.

Victoria moved to Pennsylvania in 2021 and is ecstatic to be working with Nittany Ballet. She admires the dedication and caliber of training that emanates from the students and faculty. Victoria continues her own education through teaching seminars with the Bolshoi Ballet Academy and earning her certifications in the instruction of the Vaganova curriculum. Victoria finds that this approach increases consciousness of the dancer’s body, and encourages harmonious movement and greater expressive range. She’s eager to share this beautiful method with all her students!