A Little Glam... A Little Rock 'N Roll

She was born on November 5th, Year of the Dragon in Moscow, Russia. Her family emigrated to the US when she was 4 years old giving her a chance to grow up all American in the ghetto fabulous Lower East Side in Manhattan. She still speaks fluent Russian. Growing up to be a 12 year old pregoid was not in the cards for our heroine! She's a third generation classical piano prodigy who was taught to play music by three family members including her Grandmother, Father and Mother - all of whom finished and were teachers themselves at the Moscow Conservatory of Music. She also picked up on the electric guitar after being introduced to Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony McAlpine and Vinnie Moore at age 13 when she was recruited for her first rock band. She attended The Manhattan School of Music, Lucy Moses Conservatory and was home taught from age 6.

She attended LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts (the infamous "FAME" TV show High School and yes they did dance on tables) as an art major (yes she also draws, paints and sculpts with the best of them - she designed tattoos for years - her specialties are naked women, dragons and skulls). She went on to get her first degree in Molecular Bio in college - only four people graduated with that degree that year. After that it was on to Baruch Graduate School for her MBA.

This is when she wanted to take some time from academia and pursue her two lifelong other passions: martial arts and acting. She began studying Kung Fu (because everybody loves Kung Fu fighting!) with several schools, including study under a real Shaolin monk. Being a woman of peace, she didn't ever want to spar or kick ass in real life. So what is the answer to Bruce Lee's question for the ages: "What is the art of fighting without fighting?" The Answer: STUNTWORK! She started to pursue just that in NYC and then moved out to Hollywood where she currently is kicking (choreographed) ass.