Tatiana Rousseau was a pupil of Madame Olga Preobrajenska in Paris. She was associated with Le Ballet de Jeunesse of Paris, Le Theatre des Champs Elysees and the Agrenieff Ballet Company. After arriving in the States in 1950, Ms. Rousseau began the Virginia Ballet School before its incorporation in 1965. Her exceptional talents in teaching and choreography have greatly enhanced the quality and stature of the Company’s stage performances. Tatiana Rousseau taught and inspired thousands of students until her passing in July 2005.
Oleg Tupine was associated with the Original Ballet Russe (formerly Diaghilev Ballet) and became one of its principal dancers, partnering such leading ballerinas as Tamara Toumanova, Alica Markova, Nora Kaye, and Maria Tallchief. He joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in 1949 as premier danseur and danced with Alexandria Danilova and Mia Slavenska. In the United States, he spent four years as ballet master of the National Ballet Company, Washington, D.C., before resigning to devote full time to the Virginia Ballet Company and School. Oleg Tupine taught and inspired thousands of students until his passing in June 2003.
