Valentina Kozlova trained at the Bolshoi School and became a principal dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet in record time, dancing all the ballerina roles.  On tour with the Bolshoi in 1979, she defected in Los Angeles, went on to guest with major companies around the world, and star in the Broadway shows A Christmas Carol and On Your Toes.  At the invitation of Balanchine, Kozlova joined New York City Ballet as a principal, dancing with that Company for thirteen years.  Ms. Kozlova then directed her own company, Ballet: The Daring Project, which appeared at The Joyce for three seasons and on tour, before opening her own schools and becoming active with international competitions and companies as a judge and coach.  Kozlova received recognition by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation as a “2018 Great Immigrant/Great American”.  She most recently taught and coached for the Boston Ballet, and continues to direct the annual Kozlova International Ballet Competition, which awards company contracts and scholarships to schools around the world.