Anna Onipko

Following eight years of rigorous professional ballet training at the Kiev State Choreographic Academy in Ukraine, Ms. Onipko embarked on her journey in the world of dance. She started her career with the Kiev Ballet and Opera Theater for Youth, later joining the prestigious National Ballet of Ukraine. She toured across Europe and the United States in iconic productions such as Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadere, Giselle, and many more, establishing herself as a versatile and accomplished performer.

Ms. Onipko had the privilege of collaborating with acclaimed choreographer Alexei Ratmansky during his formative years. In 1996, she transitioned to Ballet El Paso, quickly rising to the position of principal dancer. Her repertoire expanded to encompass lead roles in beloved classics like The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, and Don Quixote. Simultaneously, Ms. Onipko was a guest artist with New Mexico Ballet and Dallas Metropolitan Ballet, as well as collaborating with the El Paso Opera Company and El Paso Symphony Orchestra. In 2002, she earned her BFA in Dance with honors from the University of Texas at El Paso.

With over two decades of teaching experience, Ms. Onipko has taught at renowned institutions like the University of Texas Ballet Academy and the Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy. She honed her choreograhic skills as Assistant to the Director for the El Paso Ballet and the Children’s Ballet Theatre Project in Fort Lauderdale. Notably, several of her ensemble pieces have achieved recognition at the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) in New York City.

Beyond the world of dance, Ms. Onipko has pursued her passion for literature, completing a Graduate course at the Connecticut Institute of Children’s Literature and published her debut historical fiction novel, "Prelude to Ballet." Her dedication to both the art of dance and literary expression embodies a multifaceted artistic spirit.