IAC Presents Lumiere Ballet "Nutcracker Highlights"
November 8, 2025 / 4pm / FREE ADMISSION
St. Peter Episcopal Church
500 West Montauk Highway, Bay Shore, NY
SVETLANA CATON began her professional career in Belgium with the Théâtre Royal de Liège. Upon relocating to the US, she performed with the Orlando Ballet, the Fedicheva Ballet, and the Madison Ballet.As a teacher and coach, she brought her expertise to numerous institutions: serving for twenty summer seasons at the USDAN Center. Her teaching engagements also included the Ohman School of Ballet, the Eglevsky School of Ballet (Original)and Neubert Ballet at Carnegie Hall.Her affiliations extended to the Connecticut Ballet and the Dokoudovsky NY Conservatory of Dance
VENTI PETROV is a recipient of both national and international awards, he is a classical ballet dancer, choreographer, and teacher whose career spans continents. He has performed throughout Europe and in more than twenty-five states across the United States, collaborating with renowned artists including Suzanne Farrell of the New York City Ballet and Alexander Vetrov of the Bolshoi Ballet.As a choreographer, he has created two full-length narrative ballets: ‘El Cid’ (2010), and ‘Dear Nadezhda’ (2012). In addition to his stage work, he has produced eight ballet class CDs, widely used by teachers and students around the world.
RUSLAN ERMAKOV - pianist
Since the age of seven, Ruslan has devoted himself wholeheartedly to the classical study of piano. Now sixteen and a junior at West Islip High School, he is charting a path toward becoming a world-class concert pianist. Between 2021 and 2025, he earned First Prize in prestigious piano competitions held in Germany, Bulgaria, Turkey, and the United States. In 2024, he was selected by All-State NYSSMA to perform in their Piano Showcase. Beyond his musical achievements, Ruslan gives back to the community by volunteering monthly at various assisted living homes, sharing his talent and bringing joy to residents through live performances.
IRINA GENDLER- BULGAK - Vocalist, Educator, Performing Artist
As a freelance artist, Irina has devoted her career to sharing the beauty of music, dance, and drama with audiences of all ages. Trained in Russia at the Tyamen State University and in St Petersburg , she brings depth and authenticity to her performances and educational concerts that highlight operatic repertoire from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. In addition, she teaches Russian language and Theater Arts at the Roslyn Enrichment Center.
