About SBA
Founded by Artur and Cynthia Sultanov in 2010, Sultanov Ballet Academy (SBA) school attracts passionate young dancers looking for pre-professional quality of ballet instruction.
SBA provides an inclusive and safe environment where ballet is taught with kindness and care. Our belief is that every child can feel happy working toward their goals in dance. Each year our dancers perform in our own production of The Nutcracker and in the Spring Showcase. We provide contemporary classes as well, and our students work with choreographers on creating new dance works.
We strive to create a professional environment where students learn the value of hard work, discipline, and self-determination. SBA instructors focus on proper technique with our dancers, ensuring the correct form and foundation needed to prevent injuries.
In addition to our annual performances, SBA dancers have an opportunity to compete in a regional dance competition where the students perform in soloist and ensemble dances.
SBA dancers and families share their experiences with our studio.
Our story
Artur and Cynthia Sultanov met in California in the early 2000s and moved to Portland when Artur joined Oregon Ballet Theatre (OBT) as a principal dancer in 2003. While Artur was still dancing with OBT, he and Cynthia pursued their dream of opening a ballet school in the Portland area in 2010, specializing in developing young dancers pursuing professional careers in dance. Their oldest son was only 10 months old when their first studio opened in Cedar Mill with 20 students. Artur retired from OBT in 2012 to teach full-time. In the fall of 2013, Artur and Cynthia moved the studio from the Cedar Mill location to the beautiful custom-built facility in Beaverton.
Since its inception over a decade ago, Sultanov Ballet Academy (SBA) has grown to support hundreds of young dancers focusing on pre-professional classical and contemporary ballet training. An integral fixture in the dance community, SBA holds space for dancers and their families to experience ballet as a beautiful, rigorous, and fulfilling form of art.
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Artur, Cynthia, and their two sons.
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![Artur Sultanov OBT]()
Artur dancing with OBT.
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![Sultanov Ballet Academy]()
Artur teaching at the Cedar Mill studio in 2011.
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![Artur Sultanov]()
Building strong foundations for young dancers.
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![Artur Sultanov]()
Artur teaches young dancers at SBA.
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![SBA's The Nutcracker]()
SBA's annual production of The Nutcracker.
Awarded Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Outstanding School
3-time recipient of YAGP’s Outstanding Teacher Award: Artur Sultanov
Artur Sultanov
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, CO-OWNER & CO-FOUNDER
Artur Sultanov was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia. He trained at Vaganova Ballet Academy and at age 17, joined the Kirov ballet where he danced a classical repertoire. In 2000 he moved to San Francisco to join Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet. There, he worked closely with Mr. King on creating original contemporary ballets. In 2003 Artur joined Oregon Ballet Theatre. His principal roles at OBT include the Prince in Swan Lake, Ivan in Firebird, and the Cavalier in The Nutcracker, among others. Artur was a guest artist with Trey McIntyre Project and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. In 2005, Mr. Sultanov was featured on OPB as an emerging artist in Portland (watch here). He has appeared at numerous festivals such as the Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival, the Chicago Dancing Festival and Fall For Arts festival in New York City. Mr. Sultanov has performed on the stages of the Metropolitan Opera House, Kennedy Center, Bolshoi Ballet Theatre, and the Mariinsky Theatre in his native city of St. Petersburg, Russia.
Artur Sultanov is honored to be a part of the Portland dance community and is committed to inspiring a new generation of dancers. At SBA, he instructs the Senior and Junior Companies as well as private lessons.
Cynthia Sultanov
CO-OWNER & CO-FOUNDER
Cynthia Sultanov oversees all of the administrative and business needs of the school, while also developing strong relationships with SBA families and the local community. Her vision and business acumen have supported the continual growth of SBA as a local business, and the successful execution of SBA’s two exceptional annual performances of The Nutcracker and Spring Showcase.
With her upbringing as a ballet dancer and a bachelor’s degree in social work, Cynthia ensures a positive and supported experience for all SBA dancers and families. She’s committed to the success of SBA dancers, from the youngest experiencing their first class to the graduating seniors.
INSTRUCTORS
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Deanna White
INSTRUCTOR
classical
Senior Company, Junior Company, Jeté, Assemblé, Forté
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Claire Donovan
INSTRUCTOR, ADMINISTRATOR
classical
Senior Company, Junior Company, Jeté, Vaganova
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Andrea Parson
INSTRUCTOR
contemporary
Senior Company, Junior Company, Jeté
join our team
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join our team •
We are always looking for new ballet instructors to join our wonderfully supportive and collaborative team, potentially for part-time teaching hours during the main season as well as additional teaching staff for annual productions, summer intensives, and competition choreographers.
Priority needs: ballet teachers who specialize in early youth classes (ages 5-7) as well as foundational ballet training levels (ages 8-12) and contemporary ballet.
Instructor prerequisites: extensive knowledge and education in the art of teaching ballet, classroom management, and positive student engagement.
Please contact us directly for more information and to submit an application.