Mr. Brooksher grew up in Mesa, AZ where he received his early training at Ballet Etudes and Jeanne’s School of Dance. At the age of 13 he left Mesa for Washington D.C. to attend, on full scholarship, the Universal Ballet Academy (now Kirov Academy of Ballet), one of the premier ballet school in the world.  Mr. Brooksher graduated with high honors from their comprehensive program.

During his illustrious dancing career, Mr. Brooksher performed a wide repertoire, from all of the great classic story-ballets and Balanchine masterpieces to some of the most cutting edge contemporary choreography, and is world renowned as one of his generation's greatest partners.   Mr. Brooksher has worked with some of the world’s most successful teachers and coaches.  Ruodolf Kharatian, Ludmilla Morkovina, Alla Sisova, Nikolai Morosov, Yelena & Oleg Vinogradov, Vladimir Kolesnikov, Bruce Marks, Anna Marie Holmes, Natalia Dudinskaya, Irina Koplakova, Oleg Briansky, Cynthia Gregory, Gelsey Kirkland, Suzanne Farrell, Trey McIntyre, Terry Orr, Kevin O'Day, and Dwight Rodin are some of those who have given Mr. Brooksher his extensive knowledge and insight as a premier male dancer, partner, teacher, and coach.

Mrs. Brooksher grew up in Woodbury, CT receiving her training at Nutmeg Ballet.  She graduated Valedictorian of her class, both in ballet and academics. Mrs. Brooksher received honors in competition at the ARTS Recognition and Talent Search, New York International Ballet Competition, Paris International Ballet Competition, and the Prix de Lausanne. 

Mrs. Brooksher  enjoyed a long  professional career with Boston Ballet, Texas Ballet Theatre, and Ballet Arizona, where she worked with leading choreographers such as Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, Lyla York, & Trey McIntyre, performing leading roles in American Classics such as Rodeo, Billy the Kid and Company B.   Her extensive classical repertoire includes all the great story-ballets as well as many Balanchine masterpieces.  Mrs. Brooksher has worked with some of the world’s greatest instructors and coaches including; Sharon E. Dante, Anna Marie Holmes, Natalia Dudinskaya, Sergei Berejnoi, Bruce Marks, Eleanor D’Antuono, Tatiana Legat, Igor  Youskevitch, Suki Schorer, Vladimir Kolesnikov, Suzanne Farrell, Terry Orr, Tatiana Terekhova, Vicki Simon, Ben Stevenson, Francia Russell,  Sandra Jennings, Denise Warner, Caroline Llorca and Elise Borne.  Each of whom made an enormous impact on her stylistic sensibilities, especially in the classical repertoire.

Mrs. Brooksher has extensive teaching experience, having taught for Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts and the New York International Ballet Competition. Most recently, she is co-founder and Artistic Director for Southwest Classical Dance Institute (click for available classes or to read more About Us), and is a Guest Faculty member at The Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts. Mrs. Brooksher also serves as the AZ State Representative of Classical Dance Alliance, and is currently Ballet Mistress for Novaballet in Phoenix. She shares her passion for ballet and her life with her husband Joshua and two year old son Ian.  Click to download a copy of Mrs. Brooksher's biography and resume.  You can also read what Natasha’s students have to say…

Gina Zavarov was born in Philadelphia, PA and began dance training at the age of 3. She has studied ballet, modern/lyrical, jazz, tap, and character dance.  At 11 Ms. Zavarov entered the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet where she received intensive ballet training in the Vagonova Syllabus.  She studied under world renowned teachers John White, Margarita de Saa, Melinda Pendelton, Bryan Koulman, Tatyana Featherman, Tatiana Kudrjavcev and former Pennsylvania Ballet principle dancer, Dede Barfield.  Ms. Zavarov was also an apprentice with the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet Society.

Ms. Zavarov’s repertoire includes Snow Pas de Deux, Arabian pas de trois, and Sugar Plum Fairy from the Nutcracker, Lilac Fairy from Sleeping Beauty, Diana’s Variation from the Diane and Acteon Pas de Duex, Esmeralda, Raymonda, and many  original works.

Ms. Zavarov's husband,  Roman Zavarov, is currently principle dancer with Ballet Arizona, giving Ms. Zavarov the chance to fulfill her true passion: teaching ballet.

Ms. Zavarov has taught at various dance schools throughout the valley, and is proud to be a new member of the SCDI team.

Anthony Aquino’s training started with Vladmir and Patricia Doukadovsky at New York Conservatory Of Ballet. He also trained at Alvin Ailey, Broadway Dance Center and Steps Studio.

Mr. Aquino performed on Broadway in Alcazar de Paris with Liliane Montevecchi and in The Nutcracker On Broadway as Uncle Drosselmeyer. His stage credits also include Paul in A Chorus Line, Phaedra in La Cage Aux Folles, Tony in West Side Story and The Pajama Game. He has also danced in productions of Romeo and Juliet, Beauty and the Beast, Peter and the Wolf and Nutcracker, as well as appearing on Star Search 1989.

Mr. Aquino has taught at Steps Studio, Broadway Dance Center, New Jersey School of Ballet, Montclair State University, as well as abroad. Currently, he is delighted to be teaching and choreographing in Arizona as part of SCDI.