Dancing Through Life

She is only 9 years old. She progressed to the semifinals of America’s Got Talent at 7. She makes an impact on everyone she meets with her contagious energy and passion for movement. She is Eseniia Mikheeva—an up-and-coming dance star with over a million followers on Instagram. 

But something “danced” through the Mikheev family for these talents to find its littlest member. When Eseniia was only 3, she already showed natural rhythm. Her parents, both passionate dance educators, wanted to nurture her talent.

“Dance has always been a part of our family,” says Eseniia’s father, Aleksandr Mikheev. He and his wife Marina Mikheeva are both Russian by birth; Marina was born and raised in Bryansk, while Aleksandr spent his childhood in the Caucasus, in the sunny city of Cherkessk. 

Aleksandr’s mother was a dance teacher, which exposed him early on to dance pedagogy. He met Marina at the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts, where both studied choreography and dance education. 

Photos Courtesy of Mikheev Family

“We were inspired to pursue [dance education] professionally because we saw how dance could not only express emotions but also bring people together,” Aleksandr says. “Passing that passion to Eseniia felt like a natural extension of our lives.” 

Three years ago, their journey brought them to the United States, where they first settled in Atlanta—often called the world’s hip-hop capital. There, they spent two vibrant years immersed in the city’s creative pulse.

Later, a visit to Emerald Coast changed everything. 

“That was it. We fell in love instantly,” Aleksandr remembers. Seeing the coastline, they felt an immediate connection to the water and the freedom it represented. They decided to begin a new chapter by the sea.

The Mikheev family has distilled their passion into a dance methodology for children informed by years of research on personality development; they refer to their method as “unleashing personality through contemporary dance in modern conditions.” Aleksandr cites a simple but powerful purpose behind their teaching style: Help a child grow, make friends, play, and develop their passions.

Photos Courtesy of Mikheev Family

For Eseniia’s parents, content creation was another way to nurture her passion for dance. On New Year’s Eve 2022, singer-songwriter Chris Brown shared Eseniia’s video on Instagram, which motivated Aleksandr and Marina to actively cultivate Eseniia’s Instagram account.

Now, the family shares content that showcases Eseniia’s courageous personality, willingness to stand out, and high skill level. Eseniia enjoys having a large audience, and she is grateful for her parents’ support. 

It’s clear that this family bond has contributed to Eseniia’s success. Participating in America’s Got Talent, performing in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, appearing on The Jennifer Hudson Show, and performing at World of Dance in Los Angeles are some of the accomplishments that Eseniia can already feel proud of.

But balancing Eseniia’s dance career with her everyday life is critical. The parents “keep a balance between her training and her childhood,” Aleksandr says. “School, playtime, and family moments are just as important as dance.

Photos Courtesy of Mikheev Family

“We also ensure she never feels pressured—her love for dance is what drives her, not obligation.”

Eseniia’s dancing is precise, dynamic, and contemporary. Hip-hop is her specialty, and her routines are explosive. When you see Eseniia dance, you can tell that behind the adorable looks and personality are skills accumulated over years of training.

She demonstrates how discipline combined with natural talent blossoms over time. And her star power allows the whole family to inspire more people to dance.

In Aleksandr’s words, “You don’t have to be a professional. Dancing is good for the body, uplifts your mood, and feels like meditation—it fills life with pure, happy emotions.”