Liliya Ruhukya is known for her effective teaching methods that combine her extensive knowledge and thoughtful instruction with her passion for dance. Her training, professional experience, and kindheartedness make her a truly exceptional teacher. She is the Ballet Director of the studio as well as the Competition Director.

Liliya began her dance training at the age of ten and completed eight years of professional classical ballet training at the College of Ballet and Choreography in Minsk, Belarus (part of Russia at the time), where she was trained in the “Vaganova” method. Liliya has trained and worked with various choreographers including Dr. Olga Tarasova, Lena Golikova and Lena Bendel. Liliya has performed various ballets at the Bolshoi Theater in Minsk including, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Swan Lake”, “Corsaire”, “Giselle”, “Nutcracker”, and “Chopinianna”. She also performed “Halt of Calvary” in Germany, Vietnam and in the United States. In addition to classical ballets, Liliya has also performed in dramas and pantomime. After moving to the U.S., Liliya taught in North Carolina while also touring throughout the country performing in various impressive professional pieces.

Liliya has been a staff member at Karen’s School of Dance since 2002, and enjoys teaching classes to all levels of dancers, from beginner to advanced in classical ballet, pointe, variation and character dance styles, as well as the styles listed above. She also choreographs and directs KSD’s rendition of The Nutcracker for our Holiday Spectacular. Her students and choreography have earned numerous awards, including Choreographer of the Year.