Mr. Ponomarenko is a graduate of the Kiev State Ballet School in Ukraine. Upon graduation he performed, taught company classes and was a Rehearsal Master for the Dance Company of the Soviet Army. Mr. Ponomarenko performed and toured internationally as a Soloist with the Donetsk State Opera and Ballet Theatre. His repertoire with the Donetsk State Opera and Ballet Theatre includes Principal roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, La Bayadere, Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty. In 2009, Mr. Ponomarenko became Executive Director and Instructor for the Academy of Classical Ballet at Dance Elite in Pennsylvania. Along with his wife, Nadia Pavlenko, he directed the school. Many of his former Academy students are currently members of professional ballet companies such as Texas Ballet Theatre, Austin Ballet, Ukraine National Ballet, Donetsk Ballet Theatre, Ballet Manila, Missouri Contemporary Ballet, Ajkun Ballet Theatre. His students have received scholarships to prestigious programs and colleges as American Ballet Theatre, School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet, John Cranko School, Houston Ballet, Kirov Ballet, Harid Conservatory, Point Park University, Boston Conservatory and Pace University. Prior to joining International Ballet Academy, Mr. Ponomarenko was an instructor in the Men’s Program at Ballet West Academy in Salt Lake City, Utah.