Working with Olga was some of the best training I’ve received as a professional instructor. From my experience in the industry, I feel as though many teachers are equipped only to a certain extent. Olga’s approach goes above and beyond so that instructors are able to fully connect with their clientele as well as gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of dance. Her expertise is visible in the success of Brooklyn Dance Lessons studio’s and the ability to make every instructor find what strengths they can contribute to the business. I highly recommended her services to anyone who is wanting to feel more confident as a teacher and educator.

Olga is a phenomenal dance instructor as seen in her multiple reviews as an instructor and also for the dance studio. Not only do her numerous students over the years know what high caliber her instruction is from thoughtful lesson planning, ongoing dance education, beginner friendly approach, attention to detail, and thorough approach, but also this is demonstrated in how she instructs other teachers. As someone who has been dancing for 25 years or so and teaching dance for 8 years, I can testify that Olga is an exceptional teacher for dance educators. Not everyone has the ability to work with a range of students from both beginner to advanced experience, but Olga knows how to translate information to beginners and even professionals like myself in ways we can leave feeling confident and capable. Her ability to harness your strength as an individual, look into the mental component of dance/learning a new skill, being attentive to the emotional and also professional aspects of working with individuals, makes a huge impact on those she trains. Olga knows how to bring others to level up to foster their own autonomy and personal capacity. Olga understands what the balance is between giving both clear direction, but also making space for attention to nuance and detail. The mark of a great instructor (from my perspective and experience as both a teacher, professional performer, and student) is someone who is both prepared, but also willing to fail and adapt. Olga understands through her years of experience what trial and error has taught her as a teacher/student and is able to impart her tips unto her students and the instructors she trains.

I really appreciate her ability to also have things in writing for us as well as visual, kinesthetic, and auditory resources for multiple types of learners. Not only, do we get to implement our instruction into conversation and physical practice, but also writing is encouraged. I value when our trainings are laid out for us in advance (like an agenda), then implemented in person (being willing to adjust the plan according to our needs as a group), and then followed with a written recap. Additionally, we are given outside resources to help our learning process. Truly having all of these approaches to the learning process has improved my progress as a teacher and dancer.

The last component I would mention is the value Olga puts into time and not rushing a process. As a professional dancer in NYC, I find so many steps are often skipped and time is so limited in many processes. In our training, I feel like we do take the time and that is a component that is often lacking in most instructional environments. I see this important value as something unique to how Olga trains us as teachers to also take more time to help our students in their learning process. We then see the benefit in this in their results.

All in all, as someone who has trained with dance instructors from dance studios to arts organizations, institutions, and even in higher ed, I can easily say Olga has found her calling in her craft, does it with flying colors, and only continues to grow. Her passion for dance education is infectious and instilled in those around her anywhere she goes. Her rich experience, endless studiousness, in depth knowledge, and true approach to the art and craft of teaching is evident, and anyone would be well served to have the opportunity to train under her wing.