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Indianapolis Russian School

Our mission is to encourage and promote an interest in Russian language and culture, to help children develop life-long friendships, and to build a global community regardless of people place of origin.

indyrussianschool@gmail.com tel: 317.410.3148 or 317.727.9319

Our Teachers and Administarators

While living in Russia, Katya graduated from St.Petersburg College of Music as a school/kindergarten Music Teacher and worked as Kindergarten Music Instructor and later as a children's choir conductor in one of St.Petersburg's district music school for children.

Katya first joined Russian School in a Music teacher capacity in 1995; took a school's principal role in 2008.

Music class (5 and older): children sing, listen and discuss different forms of music (opera, ballet, symphonic music), learn about orchestral instruments and the basics of solfège.

Music class (3-4 y.o.): for the most children this the first close encounter with music lessons and the teacher's goal is to make this experience fun through the use of musical instruments, role play, listening to various musical pieces and singing our favorite russian songs, so it could be a great start for a life-long love for music.

Natalia Rekhter

Director of Development

English as Second Language (advanced level)

Katya Klauz

School Principal

Music

Natalia graduated with a Bachelor degree in Education from State University of Ivanovo (Russia) and later received her Master of Health Services Administration from University of Michigan. She joined the school in 2006.

Наталия преподает в Русской школе с 2003. В России окончила Ивановский Государственный Университет по специальности филология. По приезде в Америку преподавала русский в школе а Анн Арборе, и в Washtenaw Community College. Потом закончила Мичиганский университет по другой специальности, но любовь к русскому языку осталась, и она успешно преподает русский как иностранный, как взрослым, так и детям. Ee второй предмет театр. Начала с четырехлетками, а сейчас, шесть лет спустя, эти дети-уже опытные актеры, у которых за плечами и "Бармалей", и "Кошкин Дом", и "Золушка", и Бременские Музыканты", и "Незнайка", и много других спектаклей и ролей. Наталия также занимается связями с общестенностью.

College Counseling

As new Americans, we often find navigating American reality to be a rather challenging task. Many things are different and unusual: food, clothes, customs... American system of higher education is one of those many challenges. What advise can we give to our children? What degree is the most suited for your son's needs? What college is the best for your daughter's aspirations? How does Butler differ from IUPUI? Are there any options to being a doctor or a lawyer? Or maybe what college works best for your own career change? This year we will try to help you answer these and other questions related to higher education. Russian School will offer individual college counseling which will include three steps:

individual personality test;

review of careers most suitable for your type of personality

advising regarding colleges and specific programs corresponding to these careers and individual preferences.

Alexander (Sandro) Akhvlediani

Sandro graduated from the Art Academy of Fine Art (Republic of Georgia, Tbilisi) with a Master's Degree in both Architecture and Art. He is a Member of "Georgian Artist's Union" and "Georgian International Federation of Arts" (GIFA).

Besides 20 years of a successful career in Architecture, Sandro has established himself as a painter of urban landscapes, musical genre, flowers and portraits creating his own impressionistic style.

While living in Georgia, he shared his passion of Art with students of all ages by teaching them drawing, painting and "cloisonne", a 12th century technique of molding glass into featured art.

Sandro enjoys teaching children to understand and appreciate the beauty of art and to express their pure and generous world of fantasy through pallete.

You can find Sandro's art work at sandro-akhvlediani

Era Yakovlevna Solyar

Russian Intermidiate and Advanced (for native speakers)

Era Yakovlevna received a degree in Education/Psychology from Kiev Pedagogical Institute and worked for many years as Education Science Instructor in one of Kiev's colleges.

Era Yakovlevna joined Russian school on the day the school was formed and has been teaching Russian language ever since.

In her class children learn Russian grammar, reading and writing; learning to speak properly by memorizing poems and discussing little stories.

Felix Bluvshtein

Math

Felix received his Bachelor degree from St.Petersburg Institute of Optical Technology.

He joined the school in 1997 teaching Math class for kids from 4 to 14.

Evgeny Mukhin

Math

Evgeny graduated from Kolmogorov High School (Internat-18), Moscow State University (mechmat MGU),

and obtained PhD in mathematics at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Evgeny is an active researcher, studying various models of mathematical physics by methods of representation theory, he is an author of more than 75 scientific papers published in the best mathematical journals.

Evgeny has a number of collaborators around the world and often travels to work on joint projects and to give lectures. In particular, he had been awarded visiting research positions at Mac Planck Institute (Bonn, Germany), Sydney University (Australia), Sao Paolo University (Brazil), Ecole Normal Polytechnic (Paris, France),Tokyo University (Japan), Kyoto University (Japan), Research Institute for Mathematical Sciences (Kyoto, Japan), and Hertfordshire University (London, UK).

Currently, Evgeny is Professor of Mathematical Sciences and Director of Graduate Studies at IUPUI.

At IUPUI he teaches a variety of mathematical courses for undergraduate and graduate students.

Evgeny was involved with different math competitions since he won All Russia Math Olympiad during his senior year in high school. In particular, he taught at Bay Area Mathematical Circle, was a member of organizing committee of Bay Area Math Olympiad, was a grader at USAMO (USA Math Olympiad), was a member of organizing committee of IUPUI High School Math contest, and trained the IUPUI Putnam team.

Evgeny joined the school in 2009 teaching Math class to 4-6 year olds.

He has three children all of whom have been attending the school.

Maria Azriel

Russian as Second Language (Beginners and Intermidiate)

Theater

Теоретическая часть занятий включает в себя беседы об истории театра, профессии актера, различных театральных жанрах и просмотренных постановках; проходит в форме диалога, на доступном для детей языке и направлена на развитие интереса к театральному искусству.

Практическая часть занятия проводится в форме занимательных игр, способствующих развитию воображения, раскрепощению на сцене, развитию индивидуальности и актерских способностей ребенка. В ходе занятий предлагаются упражнения на пластику, тренировку голоса и улучшение дикции, ролевые игры, упражнения на концентрацию внимания и образное мышление.

Также проводятся подготовка к выступлению на сцене и репетиции театрализованных представлений.

Svetlana Davidovich

Chess

Nellie Vitkin

Russian

Nellie joined the school in 2009. Before immigrating to United States in 1989 she received her Bachelor degree in education and speech therapy from St. Petersburg Herzen State Pedagogical University.

Nellie enjoys working with children of all language skills levels and gained well deserved popularity among kids. Presently, Nellie teaches groups for Russian heritage speakers children.

Рекомендуются для детей растущих в русскоязычных семьях или с русскоязычным членом семьи. Элементарное понимание разговорного языка обязательно.

Цели: Развитие и обогащение присутствующего уровня русского языка у детей.

Привитие интереса к культуре России и русским национальным традициям.

Ознакомление с классической детской литературой на русском языке. Обучение элементарному чтению и письму. Улучшение грамматического употребления слов и выражений в разговорной речи.

Anna Phillips

Russian (Beginners 1 and 2)

Originally from Russia, Anna graduated from St.Petersburg Herzen Pedagogical University. First year of her teaching career she mostly worked with adult and high school students. But later, when she became a mom, she focused on younger audience. "Working with 3-5 year-old might be challenging, but it gives you an unforgettable experience", says Anna.

In her classes children get acquainted with basic social skills, learn to interact with each other and a teacher, using right words and appropriate ways of behavior. Through games, songs and fun activities they get to know colors, letters, seasons, poems and more.They start reading.

Warm and friendly atmosphere helps to develop interest in Russian culture and traditions.

Vladimir Stadnik

Theater (Beginners, Advanced)

Folk Dance

Vladimir Stadnik was born in St. Petersburg, Russia and received his ballet training from the age of ten at the Vaganova State Ballet Academy. As a professional dancer he has toured the Soviet Union, Western Europe, and the US. He has also completed extensive studies in teaching and choreography earning a Bachelor's degree in Choreography and Dance Education from the University of Culture in Saint-Petersburg, Russia and then a degree in Choreography and Dance from Saint-Petersburg State Conservatory n.a. Rimsky-Korsakov. While studying in Russia, Vladimir directed and choreographed for the Children’s Musical Theatre «Вокруг Рояля» and the Musical Theatre «Kinderjorn». Afterwards, he worked as ballet master mainly in Switzerland but also guest taught in Finland, France and Italy. Prior to moving to Indiana in 2011 assuming Assistant Professor of Dance position with Ball State University in Muncie, Vladimir worked as Associate Residency Director at the National Dance Institute, Principal of the school of the Tulsa Ballet and also the Director of its Junior Ballet Company.

Levon Shekhadanov

Chess