Born in 1965, Ms. Altunina began her ballet career when she was five years old. In 1973, she was accepted by the world-famous Vaganova Ballet School and graduated in 1981 as a professional ballet dancer. She went on to The Leningrad College of Cultural Education and graduated with distinction in 1985 with two bachelor degrees as Director of Performing Arts and Pedagogue specializing in Performing Arts. She continued to further her education while dancing professionally by attending the N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory earning her master degrees in Choreography and as Ballet Master, specializing in Ballet Direction in 1993.

Vera's extensive credentials include dancing professionally in both classical and character dance, choreographing and staging of new and classical productions such as Giselle, Paquita, Chopiniana, The Nutcracker and Raymonda both in Russia and the United States; and teaching students in both countries the expressiveness, grace and beauty of dance, its techniques, and history.

Vera came to the United States in 1993 and continued to distinguish herself as an exemplary artist of great talent. As the lead ballet instructor and choreographer for the Washington Academy of Performing Arts, she continued inspiring students, produced many original full-length productions and has shared her talents throughout the Puget Sound as guest instructor for Cornish College of the Arts, Ewajo Dance Workshop, Whidbey Island Dance School, Olympic Ballet School, Ballet Bellevue School, Everett Chorale, Issaquah Chorale, and as guest artist for Whidbey Island Dance Theater. She has also assisted in the staging of Paquita for the Fort Worth/ Dallas Ballet Company.

Stephanie Saland was born in Brooklyn, and entered The School of American Ballet at age 15. Three years later she was invited by George Balanchine to join the New York City Ballet and in a 21-year career with City Ballet, she was showcased in leading roles under Balanchine's direction, as well as dancing principal roles in Jerome Robbins' repertoire. Guest performances included Nureyev and Friends, Giselle with Alexander Gudonov and numerous Live From Lincoln Center and Dance in America films. Before moving to Seattle in the fall of 1993, she taught movement for student actors at Playwrights' Horizons and helped develop a body-awareness class for actors with theater teacher Caymichael Patten. Since finishing her performance career, Ms. Saland has been a freelance instructor traveling to teach in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, Madrid, Mallorca and Mexico. Ms. Saland offers classes that are a synthesis of information from many movement systems. ISCB is fortunate to host Ms. Saland as a teacher.

Ms. Saland teaches Ballet and Variations in our Professional Division.

Jerry Tassin began his ballet training with Perry Brunson at the Seattle Dance Center where he also studied jazz, flamenco, and modern dance. He went on to apprentice with First Chamber Dance Company, and then as a soloist with Pacific Northwest Ballet.

Mr. Tassin met his wife Kimberly when they were both dancing at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. They toured North and South America as adagio dancers with several dance companies and returned to the northwest in 1984 when Jerry joined Actors Equity Union with a production of Guys and Dolls at the Seattle Repertory Theater. After performing locally in theater Mr. Tassin then moved to New York where he joined the American Dance Machine, a musical theatre dance company, where he performed in New York City and toured.

Jerry and Kimberly returned to Seattle. Jerry joined Spectrum Dance Company and went on to teach his varied style of jazz, tap, and theater dance in the Puget Sound area.

Mr. Tassin teaches Tap and Jazz.

In his 30^th year as a choreographer, Mark Haim has choreographed over 100 dances.

Georgianna Davis Moreland has enjoyed 20+ years professional dance carrier as a performer, instructor and choreographer. She has toured both nationally and internationally with the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble (CPRDE), based in Denver, Colorado. She also performed, toured and choreographed as guest artist with the Art Barking Dog Dance Company based in Louisville, Kentucky.

Georgianna has also shared her love for dance with a multitude of students throughout the country.  She has taught in the Tewksbury at NJ schools, at the Academy of Dance Arts in New Jersey, the Monroe Dance Academy in Monroe, Connecticut, the Contemporary Dance Theatre in Cincinnati, OH, Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, the Geiger Ballet in West Bloomfield, Michigan and directed the dance program at George Washington Carver High School in Chicago, Illinois.

Georgianna received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of South Florida and currently resides in Bellevue, Washington with her family.

Ms. Moreland teaches modern dance.

Jacquelina has over 30 years of extensive training and performing in Flamenco and Spanish Classical dance. She is the director and teacher of her performing Flamenco group "Jacquelina's Dances of Spain."

In addition to her experience in Spanish dance, Jackie has a background in Mexican Folk, Ballet and Jazz dance and has been a featured dancer and choreographer in Musical Theatre, staging many musicals.

Mrs. MacLin teaches Flamenco Dance.

Treva Putsche is originally from southern California. She graduated with a degree in Fitness and Health Specialist from Lake Washington Technical College. Her focus in fitness has been toward dancers and injury rehabilitation. Treva saw a need for dancers to cross condition to help them balance muscle weaknesses and imbalances. She is a dedicated teacher and cares about the success of the students. She shows tremendous energy and passion for the fitness program at ISCB and brings a great sense of humor to her work. She continues her studies in Exercise physiology and nutrition to offer the best program available.
Professional certifications & Memberships:
   • CPR/First Aid
   • IDEA personal trainer

Mrs. Putsche teaches conditioning.

"Into the Arts" program offers children with special needs the opportunity to participate in performing arts activities. Contact at: 425-885-1405.

Physical Therapist

Foot and ankle specialist in dance medicine/surgery

Nutritionist