Meet our Teachers!
Ms. Tatyana Komarova, USA
Tatyana Komarova is the founder and executive director of the International Talent Academy & Carmel Arts Rising Star competition in Carmel, IN. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theater and Music Education and a Master’s degree in Executive Development for Public Services from Ball State University. Tatyana’s extensive 32 years of international experience in education has led her to a satisfying career as a music & piano teacher, theater director, international camp counselor, manager of extra-curricular activities and special events, and director of the nonprofit organization.
For the past 25 years, she has conducted her own research on early brain development and personal development and designed a number of programs for preschool/school-age children, and parents/educators. These programs include Music, Show Choir, Musical Theater, Etiquette, Public Speaking, Life Skills, Personal Development, Problem Solving, and Train the Brain program for gifted children.
With her students, Tatyana has produced over 50 Musical Theater productions, Piano Recitals, Music/Talent festivals, competitions, and concerts. During the lessons, she encourages her students to create, compose, improvise, boost their special skills, analyze and improve their work.
One of Tatyana’s favorite hobbies is international travel and every two years she organizes children’s groups to travel to international camps.
It is Tatyana’s present goal to enrich her talents as an educator and administrator, continuing to work with children and adults in a successful partnership. Tatyana is dedicated to the idea of the International Talent Academy and would like to expand its programs nationally and internationally.
Ms. Teresa Appel, USA
Teresa is a professional voice artist, actor, teacher, and play-writer. She has a Bachelors’s degree in the Performing Arts from Purdue University, IN, USA. In the past two years she produced almost 3000 ‘voice overs’ for Tesla, Dell, Walmart, Microsoft, FedEx, Plumtree Baby, Random Potion and many more.
She has been teaching Musical Theater, Show Choir, early brain development classes with the International Talent Academy for almost 10 years. She is happy to have the opportunity to share the love for telling stories, growing imaginations, sparking creativity and inspiring dreams through theatre and music classes with her students!
Ms. Jennifer Zivoin, USA
Jennifer Zivoin is a well-known artist and a book illustrator. She has illustrated more than 40 children’s books, and her art has appeared in children’s magazines, including “Highlights High Five” and “Clubhouse Jr.” Several of her titles have been recognized with gold medals by The Mom’s Choice Awards, and her book “Something Happened in Our Town” is a New York Times children’s picture book top 10 bestseller. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, the world’s largest children’s museum, featured her art in a special “Pirates and Princesses” exhibit.
Jennifer has provided artwork for celebrity picture books, including those by Bill O’Reilly, James Patterson, and Guns N’ Roses. Recently, Jennifer made her debut as an author with her book “Pooka & Bunni.” Jennifer lives in Indiana with her husband and daughters, whose daily adventures, explorations, and imaginings inspire her illustrations.
Jennifer is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and is represented by MB Artists.
Mr. Karthik Patange, USA
Karthik has two undergraduate degrees from U.C. Berkeley, a B.A. in Economics and a B.S. from Haas Business School, as well as an MBA from UCLA Anderson. He has been in the management and financial consulting services practice for over 5 years.
Throughout his professional career, he has coached and tutored several students and professionals is crafting their resumes to either find their next job or find their first job.
Through programs such as OneClass, Boost@BerkeleyHaas, and his own private services, Karthik has also helped high school students successfully join colleges of their choice by evaluating, assessing, and crafting good stories through essay writing.
Ms. Galina Sarwari, France
Galina Sarwari is a French professor who lives and works in Strasbourg, France. She earned her PhD of Language Sciences from Strasbourg University. Ms, Sarwari has an extensive professional experience – 25 years of pedagogical & research work. Full professor, she teaches French as a second language at the International College of Strasbourg, International lyceum, Council of Europe, and High Business school.
Ms. Sarwari loves to work with kids and is actively involved in different cultural associations. She also works as a leader of extracurricular activities such as the School of Young Diplomats and organizes special events and international trips for her students. In her spare time she likes to read, travel and learn about new places and cultures.
Ms. Katerina Folkin, USA
Katerina Folkin is a graduate of the International Talent Academy where she went through all the programs starting with early brain development and continuing with music, theater show choir, dance, etiquette, public
speaking, acting on TV, leadership and more!
Her biggest accomplishments are participating and winning local and international music competitions, being a dance leader and a soloist in many Musicals, organizing and coordinating multiple ITA events for the community, as well as leading a team of USA kids at international camps.
Currently, Katerina is a Vice President of DECA Business organization and the Founder & President of the “Successful Leaders’ club.
Katerina has been teaching multiple programs at the International Talent Academy for the past 5 years. The programs included: private piano lessons, summer camps, etiquette, public speaking, show choir/dance, and theater. She has produced over 20 educational videos for children and has been working on research and writing educational curriculum for kids ages 8-18.
She has successfully completed “Tales of Musical Journey” piano teachers’ course from the Irina Gorins Institute as well as advanced international course in Public Speaking “Master of Successful Presentations”. Katerina’s goal is to continue her advanced studies, teaching, and pursuing leadership roles in different organizations to help kids improve in their personal development and grow their confidence.