Daria Pugach

Daria, born in Syktyvkar, Russia, joined Elite Danceworx Faculty in 2011. She was trained in the Vaganova Ballet Method at the State School of Arts. At the age of 14, Daria joined the State Opera and Ballet Theatre, Syktyvkar. Her repertoire included most of the classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, La Sylphide, Grand Pas from Paquita, Pas de quatre, Chopiniana and works of contemporary choreographers. During last year's training as a dancer, Daria started her teaching career. Then she moved to St. Petersburg, Russia and was accepted to the Teacher Training program at Vaganova Ballet Academy where she studied under the guidance of the dean Marina Vasilieva.

Daria continued dancing at The Mikhaylovsy Theatre and taught at the Preparatory Department and private classes for different levels at Vaganova Academy. In 2006 Daria was invited to teach ballet and Vaganova Pedagogue method in Seoul, South Korea. 

Daria moved to Canada in 2008 and soon became well-known in the dance community for her passion for dance and her ability to expose students’ unique abilities.   

Her works as a ballet choreographer and teacher are well recognized at different competitions and received numerous prizes including The Best in Ballet and Technique Special Awards. Some of Daria's students at Elite Danceworx chose a professional dance career and joined such companies as Ballet BC, NDT, and Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and studied at the Juilliard School, USC and the Arts Umbrella graduate program. 

Daria is great at combining Russian ballet school traditions with the necessities of present-day dancers. She helps students by preparing them for annual exams, dance competitions, and teaching at the ballet intensives.