“On behalf of the United States Government, I congratulate the Russian American Foundation and the Bolshoi Ballet Academy on 15 years of successful partnership. Your collaboration has deepened ties between the U.S. and Russian dance communities and encouraged cross cultural understanding through the arts, despite the challenges in the official bilateral relationship. Your success demonstrates that the Russian and American people can perform, learn, and thrive side-by-side. I applaud the work of the organizers and the dedication of the students and teachers. I wish you many more years of successful collaboration ahead.”
- Honorable John J. Sullivan, U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation (2/10/2022)
GreenwichTime: "If you're a teenager and have never heard of the National Security Language Initiative for Youth, I recommend you look into it. I miss Moscow already and hope to return soon, and I encourage other teens to consider applying for such a remarkable experience." Read More
Nov
1
2019
Beal City High School student studies Russian and ballet in Moscow on scholarship
The Morning Sun: " 'It was a wonderful experience,' Rosalie's father, John, said. 'She received acknowledgement from Senator Stabenow and had a condensed and intense exposure to Russian culture, Russian language, and of course Russian food.' ” Read More
Oct
2019
Alumna Finds Her Footing with the Russian Language, through Dance
NSLI-Y Alumni Highlight: "Now more than ever, it is important that Americans have the necessary linguistic skills and cultural knowledge to promote international dialogue, support American engagements abroad, and better understand global languages, cultures and issues." Read More
Sept
26
2019
Moscow Immersion Shelburne News: "She [Madeline Sawyer] was part of a group of a group of 14 high school students from across the U.S. who served as ambassadors, studied Russian language, trained at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy and were immersed in the everyday life of modern-day Moscow.” Read More
Sept
21
2019
Tiptoeing through Moscow Adirondack Daily Enterprise: "Dellice Chase loves to travel, but Russia had never popped up on her list of places to visit. But after months of interviews, written exams and even more interviews, Dellice was going to Russia.” Read More
NBC5: "Dellice Chase danced in six-week program at Bolshoi Ballet Academy... “It was such an amazing experience. It's a chance of a lifetime I feel like, because the Bolshoi is so world renowned. Just being able to dance with them was an incredible experience,” - Chase said.” Read More
North Country Public Radio: “A Saranac Lake high school student got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity this summer to study ballet at the renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow. Dellice Chase, 16, was the only New York State resident in a group of 14 high school students chosen for the six-week cultural immersion program in Russia.” Read More
StarNews Online: “Maisie Boren, an Isaac Bear high school student, was awarded a National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) scholarship for 2018-19 by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Maisie studied Russian in Moscow, Russia this summer.” Read More
NSLI-Y Interactive: Only after a short period of 6 weeks, my Russian improved greater than I ever imagined. Russian remains difficult, but it becomes easier and more comfortable to digest, especially when you have the supportive and encouraging community I found during the NSLI-y Russian summer program. Read More
Primerahora: “Para el joven Alihelmael Avilés Sánchez, los boricuas deberían ser algo así como abejas: ir a diversos lugares, extraer lo más que puedan, regresar a casa y polinizar al país para que florezca.” Read More
April
19
2019
BBASI Alumni Featured at YAGP's 20th Anniversary Gala
“It’s cliché to say, but it really connects the young generation with amazing opportunities and possibilities,” said ABT’s Gabe Stone Shayer before taking his seat. “I, myself, through YAGP trained at the Bolshoi Ballet academy in Russia.” Read More
April
4
2019
Dancing to new opportunities
“I’m just really excited for Bolshoi this summer,” Lily said. “I was really surprised about getting into it because it’s one of the most elite summer programs.” Read More