Yuliya Rakova was born in Russia and began her ballet training at the age of ten at the Perm Ballet School - home of the famed Russian ballet traditions. Her studies included Classical Ballet, Character, Historic dance, Pas de Deux, History of Theater, History of Art and Music, Acting, Stage Make-up, History of European and American Ballet. Upon graduating in 1995, she was invited to join the Perm Ballet Theater. Mme. Rakova danced with the company for five years before moving to Moscow. She joined Moscow Dance Theater of Alexei Fadeechev. Mme. Rakova was featured in the modern dance choreographer Stanton Welsh `s world premiere Opus X. In 2001 she was invited to join Russian National Ballet and danced with the company until she moved to United States. She has worked with notable choreographers such as Trey McIntyre, Stanton Welsh, Ben Stevenson and Alexei Ratmansky. Her repertoire includes soloist roles in Swan Lake, Coppelia, Don Quixote, Chopeniana, The Sleeping Beauty, Le Corsaire, La Sylphide, Paquita, Raymonda, Cinderella, Nutcracker.
 

She currently lives in Philadelphia where she teaches and choreographs regularly around the area. She travels to teach in New York, Washington DC, New Jersey, California, South Carolina and Russia.
As an accomplished dancer and experienced teacher,Yuliya Rakova would like to share her knowledge with passion for young dancers.