WHY CHOOSE JULIA’S ACADEMY OF DANCE?
At Julia's Dance Academy, we believe that every dancer deserves exceptional training in a positive, encouraging environment. While there are many wonderful dance studios, we are committed to providing an experience that develops not only strong dancers but confident, respectful young people.
Our ballet program is rooted in the renowned Russian Vaganova Method, emphasizing beautiful artistry, proper technique, strength, flexibility, and expressive movement. From a child's very first class through advanced and pre-professional training, our curriculum is designed to build a solid technical foundation that lasts a lifetime.
What makes our studio different?
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Exceptional Instruction – Our qualified instructors are passionate, knowledgeable, encouraging, and dedicated to helping every dancer reach their full potential.
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Classical Ballet Excellence – Our leveled ballet program develops dancers with the grace, artistry, strength, endurance, and expressive quality that define the Vaganova Method.
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Training with Purpose – We emphasize proper technique, discipline, and healthy habits from the very beginning, ensuring each dancer progresses with confidence and care.
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Character Development – We believe dance is about more than movement. Our students learn discipline, respect, teamwork, perseverance, and the joy that comes from working toward a common goal.
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Well-Rounded Education – While ballet is the foundation of our program, we offer a variety of dance styles that allow students to expand their skills, discover new interests, and express their individuality.
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Family First – We never schedule classes, rehearsals, or performances on Sundays, allowing our families to spend that time together.
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Age-Appropriate Standards – We are committed to modest, age-appropriate classwear and costumes that keep the focus on artistry, technique, and confidence.
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A Studio Family – Our dancers, families, and faculty support one another through every step of the journey. We celebrate achievements, encourage growth, and create lasting friendships in a welcoming community.
Whether your child dreams of dancing professionally or simply wants to experience the joy of dance, Julia's Dance Academy is a place where every dancer is challenged, encouraged, and inspired to become the very best version of themselves.
ABOUT YULIA
Yulia Zhmutski founded Julia’s Dance Academy in 2009 out of a desire to share her passion for dance with the Norman community. Yulia received professional training in Russian classical ballet, more specifically the Vaganova Method, at the National School of Dance & Choreography in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
In 2014 Yulia partnered with the world-renowned Moscow Ballet. Every year Julia's Dance Academy and Moscow ballet put on The Great Russian Nutcracker in Oklahoma. This opportunity is invaluable. It gives Yulia's students an opportunity to experience what it is like to be a part of a professional company, while working with a traditional, original piece.
Yulia is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, a revolutionary program that enhances ballet technique in dancers. She helps students to understand how training muscle memory will help them to achieve their personal best in classical ballet.
Yulia enjoys using new, modern technique, incorporating it with traditional methods, in order to change things up and create her own style. She believes that every single person should have a chance to learn how to dance, without exception.
By instilling teamwork, creativity and communication skills in her students, Yulia aims to create an environment where students from all backgrounds and walks of life feel welcome, encouraged, and excited!
Each spring Julia’s Dance Academy puts on a recital and its students work all year to prepare for the show. These recitals are near and dear to Yulia’s heart. They showcase both the talents and the passion of every dancer here at Julia’s. Every year Yulia's goal is to tell a different but unique and inspiring story that makes the audience feel like they're a part of the show.
Over the years, Yulia has taken dozens of students to both local and national competitions. She is proud to see almost all of them attain high gold, platinum, and first place awards and scholarships at Hall of Fame, Encore and Tremaine among others.
Yulia strives to bring happiness and freedom through dance classes to every person who signs up for a class!
ABOUT PETER
Peter Zhmutski was born in the former Soviet Union, in what is today the country of Kazakhstan.
Zhmutski came to the United States of America in 1998. He has a Magna Cum Laude Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcasting and Master’s Degree in Professional Writing from the University of Oklahoma. He has worked in theatre for many years directing, acting and producing plays and musicals. He’s been a judge on multiple local, national and international talent shows and pageants.
In 2018 Peter produced the largest flash mob in Kazakhstan, which included internationally renowned choreographers and performers. At Julia’s Academy, Peter coaches premeditative stretching and acting classes for dancers.
Peter is best known for his works in the film industry. In the past 22 years he’s worked both, in front & behind the camera. Because of his numerous international film merits & awards, the United States government has acknowledged Peter as “an extraordinary filmmaker” & granted him citizenship for contributing his talents into the American film industry.
Peter has worked on 25 motion pictures, mostly as a director, producer & actor. Most of Peter’s films have earned prestigious International Film Festival Awards. Some of them played in theatres worldwide, got picked up by major American TV Networks, distributed on Netflix, Amazon, On Demand, as well as sold on DVD/Blu-Ray media around the globe in different languages.
While residing in Oklahoma, in 2015 Peter produced a Russian/American picture “Ratpocalypse”, which was picked up by the Showtime network. “Ratpocalypse” was the first 3D film shot in Oklahoma, starring Casper Van Dien & Catherine Oxenberg.
In 2017 Peter produced a theatrical feature film “Diamond Cartel”, directed by Salamat Mukhammed-Ali and starring Armand Assante, Peter O’Toole, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Michael Madsen, Tommy Lister, Bolo Yeung, Don “The Dragon” Wilson, and Oliver Gruner. The movie received a theatrical release in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Kazakhstan and topped the Kazakh Box Office.
Currently Peter makes music, films and develops virtual reality technologies and content. He is writing and producing a ballet project called “The Master of Time”. It’s a new form of performance art where classical ballet meets the modern visual technologies of virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality. As you probably know, ballet is dying as an industry. This project is an effort to reform the industry and preserve the art. “Master of Time” combines classical dance with stunning visuals to tell a truly captivating story. A colorful production with sophisticated, innovative technologies will appeal to a younger audience and keep them engaged.