Beata Loyfman began her dance training in Odessa, Ukraine and by the age of seven, she and her
partner were winning local and regional ballroom dance championships. Upon immigrating to America
in 1989, Beata was recruited by a local rhythmic gymnastics coach. Rigorous daily training led to
success in numerous national competitions, including the Junior Olympics. Beata quickly progressed
through the ranks, achieving Elite level and subsequently becoming Head Coach and Choreographer
of the school's competitive team, working alongside Natalie Kirienko, former coach of the Russian
International Team. Beata discovered, and fell in love with, classical ballet during her years at
Fiorello LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts. To this day, she credits ballet with rescuing
her back and joints, which were severely taxed by years of rhythmic gymnastics. After graduating
with top honors from LaGuardia, Beata received several dance scholarship offers. However, by this
time she had been coaching for several years and realized that teaching, rather than performing,
was her passion. Beata chose to attend Fordham University and study English Literature with a minor
in Creative Writing and then went on to complete her Masters Degree. During this time Beata
continued to coach and in 2000 was invited to join StepsŐ ballet faculty by teacher, mentor
and former School at Steps director, Jane Miller Gifford. Today, Beata combines her two main
interests, ballet and literature, by working for a prominent travel publication by day, and
teaching at Steps by night. This balance keeps her busy, and sane.
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