Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, Mikhail graduated with a BA from Vaganova Ballet Academy. Mikhail won a Gold Medal at the "Vaganova-Prix" Competition (1998). He danced with Mariinsky Ballet while also studying at Vaganova Academy. Mikhail started his professional career in the US when he joined Boston Ballet in 1999. He was awarded a diploma at the Paris Competition, won the highest awarded prize -- Silver Medal at the New York International Ballet Competition (2000), and won the Bronze at the Jackson IBC (2002). In 2001, he became a soloist and principal dancer with Miami City Ballet and performed a wide variety of the leading repertoire. In addition, in 2005, he was chosen by Dance Magazine as one of the 'to watch' dancers of today. Mr. Ilyin finished his professional performance career with the American Ballet Theatre. He also performed as a guest artist around the globe.

He is a faculty member at American Ballet Theatre's JKO School, SLK Ballet, and Alvin Ailey. Mikhail also is a Ballet Master for the rehearsals of all levels, teaching, staging, choreography, and evaluating auditions for ABT's Summer Intensive programs. In addition, he teaches Masterclasses for ABT's outreach groups from Brazil, Japan, Florida, and NYC; he worked with American Ballet Theatre's company apprentices and Studio Company. Mikhail is certified and has won awards for teaching ABT's National Training Curriculum.

His teaching experience includes work with New York University (mentoring master's candidates in ABT Pedagogy about the Vaganova Method and its relevance in ABT's National Training Curriculum), UNCSA, and Rutgers University. Mikhail has previously taught and choreographed for Miami City Ballet School, Pacific Northwest Ballet School (summer intensive), Hamilton College, Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute, and has been an "Artist-In-Residence" with Ballet Mississippi since 2005 - where he has performed many times as well. In addition, Mikhail taught master classes all over the US and abroad. Mikhail enjoys choreographing and has staged different classical ballets. His original choreography credits include more than 40 works utilizing a variety of dance and music styles. Mikhail was selected from a competitive group to also choreograph as part of ABT's "Innovation Initiative" choreography project: "Unrestrained," performed at the Joyce Theater, NYC.

Mikhail is also the Founder, Artistic, and Executive Director of iDEA in Movement workshop series: an integrated dance series focusing on body awareness and improvisation combined with professional dance and classical ballet training. He is also a Certified Practitioner of The Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education: a 4-year professional training program in Awareness Through Movement and Functional Integration.