Meet our Teachers!
Ms. Tatyana Komarova, USA
Tatyana Komarova is the Founder and Executive Director of International Talent Academy and the Founder and Artistic Director of the Carmel Arts Rising Star Competition in Carmel, Indiana, USA, and Rising Star International Competition online. She is an educator, arts leader, theater director, music and piano teacher, performing arts producer, and youth development specialist with more than 35 years of international experience in education, leadership, and the arts.
Tatyana holds a B.A. degree in Music Education from Russia, a B.A. degree in Theater from Marian University, and a Master’s degree in Executive Development for Public Services from Ball State University, IN, USA. She has also completed extensive ballroom dance training and has dedicated her career to helping children and adults develop confidence, creativity, leadership skills, and artistic excellence through the performing arts.
In 2006, Tatyana founded International Talent Academy, a nonprofit educational organization that provides music, theater, public speaking, etiquette, leadership, personal development, and performing arts programs for children and families. Under her leadership, the organization has served thousands of students and families for more than 20 years through educational programs, performances, competitions, workshops, and community outreach initiatives.
For over 30 years, Tatyana has conducted independent research in early brain development and personal growth, designing innovative educational programs for preschool and school-age children, as well as parents and educators. Her programs include Music, Piano, Show Choir, Musical Theater, Ballroom Dance, Etiquette, Public Speaking, Life Skills, Leadership, Personal Development, and the Train the Brain program for gifted children.
As a theater director, producer, and scriptwriter, Tatyana has written and produced more than 50 original musical theater productions with her students, along with numerous piano recitals, talent festivals, competitions, and concerts. She encourages her students to develop creativity through composition, improvisation, critical thinking, and self-expression while building confidence and performance skills.
A passionate advocate for arts education and international cultural exchange, Tatyana has organized international student travel experiences to international camps and arts festivals, helping young people broaden their horizons, experience diverse cultures, build lifelong friendships, and develop global perspectives. Through her work as an educator, artistic leader, competition director, and adjudicator, she continues to create meaningful opportunities for artistic growth and personal development.
Tatyana’s mission is to inspire and empower the next generation through the arts while expanding access to high-quality educational and cultural programs nationally and internationally.
Zhivko Yankov, Bulgaria/USA
Born in Bulgaria, Zhivko mastered Ballroom and Latin dance and quickly rose to national recognition. His competitive success led him to represent Bulgaria in World DanceSport Federation events and earn the title of Bulgaria’s Top DanceSport Athlete and High Performance Athlete. He later continued his career in Germany, ranking in the top 12 at the World Championship, and has won numerous competitions across Europe and the United States. Zhivko holds a Licentiate Bronze Degree from Arthur Murray International, as well as certifications from the Bulgaria DanceSport Federation and DVIDA/NDCA. He has coached internationally, directed an Arthur Murray studio in London, received the Global Dance Alliance “Top Teacher” award, and trained students who became national champions and finalists.
Zhivko is now excited to teach students in the Indianapolis area. His extensive training, professional choreography skills, and deep technical knowledge allow him to share his passion and love of dance with learners of all ages, from children to adults. His presence on the dance floor brings energy, insight, and inspiration to everyone he meets.
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.
Ms. Katerina Folkin, USA
Katerina Folkin is the Rising Star Arts Manager at International Talent Academy and the Carmel Arts Rising Star Competition. She is an educator, arts administrator, youth leader, and curriculum developer dedicated to helping children build confidence, leadership skills, and artistic excellence through the arts and personal development programs.
Katerina holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Minerva University in California, an innovative global university known for its interdisciplinary and experiential learning approach. During her studies, she lived and studied in multiple countries, gaining valuable international experience and a global perspective.
A graduate of the International Talent Academy, Katerina completed the organization’s comprehensive educational pathway, beginning with early brain development programs and continuing through music, piano, musical theater, show choir, dance, etiquette, public speaking, leadership, and acting for television.
Among her many accomplishments are earning awards at local and international music competitions, serving as a dance leader and soloist in numerous musical theater productions, organizing and coordinating community events, and leading teams of American students at international camps.
Katerina has been teaching at International Talent Academy for more than five years, instructing students in piano, summer camps, etiquette, public speaking, show choir, dance, and theater. In addition, she has produced more than 20 educational videos for children and contributed to the development of educational curricula for students ages 8–18.
She has successfully completed the “Tales of a Musical Journey” Piano Teachers Course through the Irina Gorin Institute and the advanced international public speaking program “Master of Successful Presentations.”
Passionate about education, leadership, and youth development, Katerina is committed to helping young people discover their strengths, develop confidence, and achieve their full potential through the arts and lifelong learning.