Kirov Academy of Ballet serve more 1,800 people, including student performers, family members, children (including from underserved populations), and ballet aficionados of all ages. The Kirov’s most notable accomplishment is its ongoing ability to train ballet dancers, who have gone on to perform with such professional companies as American Ballet Theatre, The Royal Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, and the San Francisco Ballet, to name a few. Graduates of The Kirov Academy of Ballet include Sascha Radetsky, Rasta Thomas, Hee Seo, Michele Wiles, Danny Tidwell, Tyler Nelson, and Maria Bystrova. Kirov Academy of Ballet The Kirov Academy of Ballet (formerly the Universal Ballet Academy) is a
San Francisco Ballet de Coteau's battle with terminal cancer forced him to step down from the position. Emil de Cou, who had been serving as conductor since 1995, then assumed the role of music director, leading the Orchestra until 2001, when he left to join Washington D.C.'s National Symphony Orchestra. He was replaced by first associate conductor Jean-Louis LeRoux, who then left the interim position in 2003 and was succeeded by Andrew Mogrelia. In 2005, Mogrelia left in order to focus on his duties as music director at San Francisco Conservatory of Music. That same year, Martin West, frequent guest conductor for the