Today we’d like to introduce you to Olga Borovikova.
Olga, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Olga Borovikova Professional Biography
Olga Borovikova
Educator, Entrepreneur, Cultural Advocate, and Founder of LAMA (Language Art Music Academy)
For Olga Borovikova, education has never simply been a profession — it has been a family tradition, a creative mission, and a lifelong passion.
Born and raised in the former USSR, Olga grew up in a family deeply devoted to education. Both of her parents served as principals of children’s schools in her hometown, creating an environment where learning, discipline, music, and culture were part of everyday life. Inspired by her family, Olga pursued her own path in education and graduated from Kyiv National Linguistic University with a degree in Linguistics and Teaching Foreign Languages. Alongside her academic studies, she also completed extensive music education, which later became an important part of her own school programs.
Like many young professionals of her generation, Olga was assigned to work in another region after graduation — a common practice at the time. This experience brought her to the north of the USSR, a region that later became part of the Russian Federation after 1991.
Never satisfied with standing still, Olga continued her education by earning a Master’s degree in Economics and later defending her dissertation in Business Administration. Her academic and leadership journey led her to serve for 15 years as the Head of Campus at the Archangelsk Institute of Management.
But Olga’s ambitions extended far beyond the classroom.
In 2006, she founded Perspectiva, an educational center focused on language learning and professional development. Around the same time, she also launched the city magazine Cosmoport, where she worked as founder and editor-in-chief, leading a creative team of journalists, designers, photographers, and copywriters. These experiences combined her love for education, creativity, leadership, and community building.
Today, Olga teaches Ukrainian, Russian, and English and continues to explore new languages herself. Although she says she misses using German regularly, she is currently studying Spanish — proving that true educators never stop learning.
In 2014, Olga moved to North Carolina with her son and quickly became part of the local Russian-speaking community. After enrolling her son in the Raleigh Russian School LAMA (Language Art Music Academy), she was invited to join the school as a teacher just one week later.
Soon afterward, Olga also began teaching Russian at Wake Technical Community College, where she discovered how deeply motivated American students are to learn languages and explore new cultures.
When the original Russian School Znaika closed during the pandemic, Olga faced a difficult decision: walk away or build something new.
She chose to build.
In 2022, Olga founded her own school, LAMA (Language Art Music Academy), creating a vibrant educational and cultural space for children and families in the Triangle area. Today, the school offers language classes, music instruction, art programs, summer camps, and even a Sunday band.
For Olga, education is not only about grammar rules or textbooks. It is about identity, creativity, confidence, communication, and preserving cultural connections across generations.
Her journey — from the USSR to North Carolina, from professor to entrepreneur, from educator to community leader — reflects resilience, adaptability, and a deep belief in the power of learning to connect people across cultures.
And if you ask Olga what continues to inspire her most, the answer is simple: seeing students discover new possibilities in themselves through language, music, and education.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road.
Starting a new life in another country has meant rebuilding everything from the ground up — professionally, linguistically, and personally. One of the most significant challenges has been navigating a new language in real-world, high-stakes professional settings, where fluency is not just about vocabulary, but about confidence, speed, and cultural nuance.
Another challenge has been re-establishing my professional identity. Experience and achievements that are highly valued in one country are not always immediately recognized in another. This requires patience, persistence, and the willingness to prove yourself again — step by step.
There is also the emotional dimension of the journey: leaving behind familiar systems, established networks, and a sense of stability. At times, it can feel like starting over while working twice as hard just to reach the level you once had.
However, these challenges have also shaped my resilience. They have strengthened my discipline, deepened my determination, and reinforced my belief in continuous growth. I never give up — I am committed, hardworking, and focused on moving forward and building an even stronger version of my professional self.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Language Art Music Academy LAMA ?
LAMA Language Art Music Academy is a community-centered educational academy that brings together language learning, music, art, and creativity in one welcoming space for children and adults. We specialize in helping students grow not only academically, but also personally and creatively through meaningful cultural and artistic experiences.
What makes LAMA unique is our combination of language education with the arts. Students can study English, Russian, Spanish, or Ukrainian while also exploring music, crafts, visual arts, and performance. We believe education should inspire confidence, creativity, communication, and connection.
Our academy offers both online and in-person classes, as well as individual and group instruction, making learning flexible and accessible for families with different schedules and goals. We are especially proud of creating an environment where students from different cultural backgrounds feel welcomed, supported, and motivated to succeed.
LAMA is also known for its warm community atmosphere. Families often tell us that our academy feels like a second home — a place where children are encouraged to express themselves, discover their talents, and build friendships while learning valuable skills.
One of the things we are most proud of is watching our students grow in confidence and achievement. Whether it is a child learning a new language, performing music for the first time, creating art, or participating in cultural and educational programs, we celebrate every step of their journey.
Our readers should know that LAMA is more than an academy — it is a creative and multicultural community where education, art, and music come together to inspire lifelong learning.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
At LAMA (Language Art Music Academy), our mission has always been to create a space where creativity knows no bounds. We don’t just teach lessons; we build a community where music, art, and language intersect. Here is how you can work with us, collaborate with us, and help us grow right here in Cary.
Join Our Family
Whether you are a parent looking for a creative outlet for your child or an adult wanting to pick up a new skill, we invite you to enroll in our classes. We offer multidisciplinary programs that allow students to explore their passions in a supportive environment: language programs, art, music, Sunday band, summer camps.
We are also always looking for talented educators. If you are a professional in music, art, or linguistics who shares our passion for mentorship, I would love to hear from you. We are constantly looking for inspiring faculty to join our team.
Let’s Create Together
I am a firm believer in the power of local partnerships. We love to collaborate on performances, bringing our students’ talents to local businesses and community centers. If you run a local arts group, I’m always open to artistic cross-pollination—think joint workshops or events that blend music and language in new, exciting ways. We also partner with local schools and daycares to bring our enrichment programs directly to their students through after-school sessions and demonstrations.
How You Can Support Us
The Cary-Raleigh community has been so supportive of our journey, and there are simple ways you can continue to help us thrive:
Be Our Audience: Nothing motivates our students more than a full house. Please join us at our seasonal concerts to celebrate their progress.
Share Your Experience: If LAMA has made a difference in your life, please leave us a review on our
Facebook page
.
Spread the Word: Recommend us to your friends and neighbors. Your personal recommendation is the highest compliment we can receive.
Important
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lama_academy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcademyLAMA
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LAMALanguageArtMusic
