NIKA INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY was founded in 1976 in Penza, Russia by professional dancer and choreographer Elena Zakharova. Starting as a youth dance program it has since developed into a prestigious and international dance school. 2004 was a big year for NIKA as studios in the United States adopted their program, launching their dancers into national and world competitions leading them to impressive results of US National finalists and champions, as well as World Open finalists! Since then, several of the original NIKA students have become successful professional ballroom and latin coaches and adjudicators in the United States, Russia and other countries, as well as performers and choreographers for popular TV shows such as “Dancing with the Stars” in the US and Russia, “America’s Got Talent”, “Oprah” and more.

NIKA alumni include…

• Natalia Kuzieva (Kherson, Ukraine)- International adjudicator, coach and competition organizer
• Alexander Muratov and Kseniya Putko (Russia)- Norway and Dutch Open champions. Kseniya is also a professional dancer on “Dancing with the Stars” Russia
• Alexander Muratov and Elena Markelova (Russia)- Russian Open champions
• Pavel Balykin and Maria Gershenovich (Russia and USA)- multiple US National champions and finalists. Pavel is also World Pro/Am Ballroom Champion
• Stepan and Olga Pogorelsky (Samara, Russia)- Russian National Professional Ballroom finalists, coaches, adjudicators and competition organizers
• Nathan Murstein and Polina Dickenson (Seattle, Washington- USA)- multiple US National champions and two time Blackpool Junior festival semi-finalists
• Gabriel White and Lyubov Morgan (Seattle, Washington, USA) - 2015 US National representatives to the World Pre-teen Championships
• Scott Nicholson and Evgeniya Gorobets (Seattle, Washington, USA) - 2014 US National representatives to the World under 21 10-dance Championships
• Yegor Novikov and Ekaterina Zakharoff (Russia and USA)- US National finalists, US/UK/British Open RS Professional finalists. Ekaterina is also a choreographer and coach, her routines have been showcased on TV’s “Dancing with the Stars” and “America’s Got Talent”
• Sergey Nekrasov (Russia and USA)- World Pro/Am Show dance champion with student Nina Nikolova

Although we are oriented a lot towards competition and enjoy seeing our students progressing quickly nationally and internationally, we are also glad to offer all kinds of social programs for your personal enrichment. Whether you are having an upcoming wedding, anniversary, going on a cruise, or just want to dance for everyday exercise purposes, you can trust our teachers' experience. You can purchase a gift certificate for any number of lessons to give to your friends and family.3635 NE 8th St.