Anne & Nicholas Polajenko
A Life in Dance
Anne (1942-2025) • Nicholas (1930-2015)
Anne and Nicholas Polajenko were professional ballet dancers who met at the Geneva Grand Theatre and dedicated their lives to the art of dance. Together they performed across Europe and America, working with legends like George Balanchine and training generations of dancers. This site preserves their remarkable story, their expertise, and the recipes they loved to share.
Their Legacy
The Polajenkos' influence extends far beyond their own performances. Through Houston Dance Center (1976-1988), which they co-founded and directed, they trained dancers who joined major companies worldwide.
Anne's work as Children's Ballet Mistress for Miami City Ballet's Nutcracker for 8 years touched hundreds of young dancers. Her expertise in pointe shoe fitting, shared through seminars across the United States and Canada, helped countless dancers protect their feet.
The Nicholas Polajenko Memorial Scholarship continues their mission of supporting young dancers at Southern Dance Theatre.
Stories from Students
Anne and Nicholas touched the lives of countless dancers throughout their careers, especially during their years at Houston Dance Center (1976-1988). We would love to hear from former students who trained with them.
Were you a student of Anne or Nicholas? Did they influence your dance journey? We're collecting stories and memories to share here.
Please reach out to polajenko@gmail.com with your stories.