Kristina Kambalov
Executive Director

KRISTINA KAMBALOV is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of First State Ballet Theatre (FSBT), Delaware’s premier professional ballet company and school. A respected arts leader, educator, and former professional dancer, she has dedicated her career to advancing ballet and enriching the cultural landscape of Delaware.

Born in Evansville, Indiana, Ms. Kambalov began her ballet training at the age of nine with Jean Allenby. She continued her studies at the North Carolina School of the Arts and the Joffrey Ballet School in New York before performing professionally with Ballet Theatre Pennsylvania and the Russian Ballet Theatre of Delaware.

In 1999, Ms. Kambalov and her husband, Pasha Kambalov, founded the Russian Ballet Centre in Newport, Delaware, which later became the nonprofit First State Ballet Theatre. In 2003, FSBT moved to Wilmington’s historic Grand Opera House, and in 2008 the professional company was established. Today, FSBT is Delaware’s premier professional ballet company, featuring professional dancers and presenting a diverse repertoire of classical and contemporary works throughout the state each season.

Ms. Kambalov served as FSBT’s School Director for 17 years before becoming Executive Director in 2016. Under her leadership, FSBT has produced hundreds of performances, commissioned new works, expanded community partnerships, and developed DanceWorks!, Delaware’s largest dance educational outreach program in partnership with The Grand and now expanding through a new partnership with Christina Cultural Arts Center.

Ms. Kambalov continues to serve as a teacher, coach, and ballet mistress for the company and school. She has served as a juror for the World Ballet Competition and has been recognized for her contributions to the arts, including the Wilmingtonian Award in 2006 and being named one of Delaware Business Times’ Most Impactful Leaders from 2023 through 2026.