Mr. Akopian is on Faculty for Joffrey Ballet School Trainee program NY, JBS SI Faculty NY, Ellison Ballet SI Faculty NY. Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers NY Choreographer for Figure Skaters. Choreographed for Viennese Opera Ball/VB NY. Former faculty and choreographer Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet NY. March 2016, World premier full-length ballet “Stealing Time” Choreography by Akop Akopian and Michael Chernov, with GK Ballet company NY. Mr.Akopian has choreographed a variety of original pieces, for schools and company prepare dancers for companions, Ellison Ballet, Joffrey Ballet Trainee, Michigan Ballet Academy, Full-length Nutcracker, and his original full- length ballet -The Jungle Book- Mowgli, as well as staged numerous ballet performances. Graduate from the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia and the Yerevan State Choreographic College. Had the privilege to study under two of A.Vaganova’s former students: the ballet legends F.Balabina, and N.Dudinskaya. Mr. Akopian also had the privilege to study under K. Sergeyev, W. Zimin, N. Serebryanikov and N. Mehrabyan.Upon graduation from the Vaganova Academy, he became a leading dancer in the Armenian National Theater Opera and Ballet in Yerevan. In 1991 he danced with classic ballet de Montreal. In 1993 he was invited to Germany to join the Thuringian State Ballet.

For the following seven years he became one of the most acclaimed principal dancers of the company. Mr. Akopian received the best dancer of the year award in 1997 and 1999, was praised in many European magazines and in a book entitled Musis-Sacrum published in Germany. In 2000, Mr. Akopian danced with Ballet New York. In 2001 he was invited to join GRBC and for his work there he was recognized in many ballet magazines and other media sources.As a guest artist Mr. Akopian has danced in numerous international galas around the world. He has had the opportunity to work with numerous ballet masters and choreographers including Dietmar Seyffert, Ludmilla Sakharova, Anahit Grigorian, Vilen Galstyan, Martin Wennde, Peter Martins, Judith Fugate and Nina Strogonova. The leading roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet, Carmen, The Nutcracker, Eugene Onegin, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty, La Fille Mal Gardee, Fierbird, Scherheresade, Paquita, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Enigma, Antuny, Wolfe, Ara Beautiful, Cinderella, various Balanchine pieces were among the roles Mr.Akopian danced throughout his career. Mr. Akopian worked as a Founder Artistic Director and Board of Directors member of Michigan Ballet Academy. He is very committed to excellence, likes to share his rich stage experience and feels very proud of his students who perform professionally in various ballet companies after studying under his guidance.