Our Dancers

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Jester
• Cinderella: Prince
• The Nutcracker: Prince

Konstantin Geronik was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and graduated from the Belarusian State Choreographic College in 2010 with distinction. He joined the ballet company of the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre of the Republic of Belarus. He has danced numerous leading roles and his repertoire includes Basilio in Don Quixote, Ali in Le Corsaire, The Bronze Idol in La Bayadère, James in Sylphide, Prince in The Nutcracker, Siegfried, Joker and Pas-de-trois in the Swan Lake, Chipollino in Chipollino, Desire, Blue Bird in Sleeping Beauty, Peasant Pas de deux in Giselle, Frondoso in Laurencia, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet. Geronik has toured Germany, France, Spain, China, Japan, The Netherlands, Belgium, Mexico, and Poland as a principal dancer. 

He has received multiple international awards and nominations, including: 1st Prize at the Young Ballet of the World competition in Sochi (2010), 1st Prize at the Tanzolymp competition in Berlin (2011), 1st Prize winner of The 4 Beijing International Ballet Invitational for Dance Schools & International Dance Performance Series (2012), the 3rd Prize winner of The International Competition of The Ballet Artists in Astana in 2016, the 2017 National Theatre Award as the best male dancer for his lead role in Le Petit Prince, and in 2018 Konstantin received the title of The Honored Artist of Belarus.

Konstantin also had an artistic collaboration with the founder and director of the international festival World Ballet Stars Vadym Pysarev and has performed as a guest artist at Nina Ananiashvili’s Gala Concert, who has been described by the Daily Telegraph as one of the twelve greatest ballerinas of all time.

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Pa de Trois
• Cinderella: Cinderella, Stepsister
• The Nutcracker: Marie

Ekaterina Malkovich was born in Abakan, Russia, and she is World Ballet Series principal dancer. The former Ural Opera Ballet star and two-time nominee for the coveted Golden Mask Award says of the role: “I think that my own character and worldview are somewhat similar to that of Cinderella. Despite her circumstances, she looks at the world with kindness and never allows anger or grief to get the better of her.” 

Ekaterina graduated from Novosibirsk State Choreographic College, formerly Perm State Ballet School (class of the Honored Artist of Russia Galina Vedenina). She joined the Yekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theater’s Ural Opera Ballet in 2013. Malkovich has danced numerous soloist and principal roles including Giselle in Giselle, Gamzatti in La Bayadere, Kitri in Don Quixote, and Paquita in Yuri Krasavin’s Paquita (2019) for Ural Opera Ballet. She has garnered many awards, including Laureate of the International Competition of Choreographic Educational Institutions “Orleu” (Kazakhstan, 2010) and Diploma of the International Competition of Ballet Dancers “Arabesque” (Perm, 2016), and earned nominations as best artist for the prestigious Golden Mask Award in 2017 as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and in 2018 as Giannina in Naiad and the Fisherman.

Ekaterina took up gymnastics at five years old and began dancing a year later. Her professional dance career started when she was ten.

After completing her training at the Novosibirsk State Choreographic College, she went on to perform at Yekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theatre for over nine years.

Ekaterina performed on the main stages of the Bolshoi Theatre, Stanislavsky Theatre, and Alexandrinsky theatre, as well as the Samara Theatre and Kyrgyz National Opera and Ballet Theatre as an invited Prima.

Ekaterina’s favorite character is Alice in Wonderland – she is strong and brave but at the same time naive and honest. She is very smart despite her young age.

Ekaterina’s dream is to one day open her own ballet school.

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Odetta / Odile
• Cinderella: Cinderella

Sofia Matyushenscaia was lucky to be born in a family of professional ballet dancers in Chisinau, Moldova, and began to dance from an early age, from around 6 years old.

She studied at the National Choreographic College and trained in Italy in the city of Milan. She is a graduate of the Academy of Theater Music and Fine Arts, Faculty of Education. She performed leading roles on the stages of the Bolshoi Theatre, the Mariinsky Theatre, the Stanislavsky Theatre. 

Sofia doesn’t believe in having favorite parts in ballet, because in any part a dancer can find interesting nuances and ways to realize their talent and emotions. But if she really has to tell, she’ll confess that it’s Giselle. She does have a move that she finds rather challenging: pirouette attitude en dehors.

Her favorite fairy tale character is Leopold the Cat, because he is very friendly and avoids conflict at all costs – his attitude to life sets an example that any misunderstandings or difficulties can be resolved peacefully.

Sofia’s dream is to open her own ballet school.

An interesting fact about her: Sofia was nominated for Best Actress in the play Don Quixote at the Golden Mask festival.

To her younger self, or to an aspiring ballerina / aspiring ballet dancer, she would say: look for individuality in yourself, strive to make any movement uniquely yours, despite of the limits that classical ballet imposes.

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Prince, Pa de Trois
• Cinderella: Prince, Prince’s Friend

Egor Burba was born in Krasnodar, Russia, and completed the primary classes at the Perm State Choreographic College. In 2015 he graduated from the Vishnevskaya College of Musical and Theater Arts in Moscow, and in 2020 he received a bachelor’s degree in Choreographic Performance from the Vaganova Academy.

Egor is a winner of many international competitions: Winner of the International ART Festival-Competition “Debut” (Moscow 2013); Laureate of the 3rd degree in the 2nd International Youth Competition of Classical Dance Performers “The Nutcracker Invites” (Russia 2014); Laureate of the 3rd degree Ballet-Festival “Dance Triumph” (Germany 2014).

Since 2015, he has been the soloist of the Cheboksary Opera and Ballet Theatre (Russia), since 2017 – an artist of the L. Yakobson St. Petersburg State Academic Ballet Theater (Russia), and since 2022 – first soloist of the National Theatre in Belgrade (Serbia).

Egor’s performances include: Albrecht, Peasant Pas de deux in Giselle; Prince, Pas de deux of the Blue Bird and Princess Florine in The Sleeping Beauty; Prince in The Nutcracker; Pas de trois, Jester in the Swan Lake; Pas de deux in Le Corsaire; Pas de trois in Paquita; Golden God in La Bayadere; and he performed leading roles on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater and the Alexandrinsky Theatre.

Egor’s dream is to travel the globe and to see every country the world. His favorite fairy tale hero is Carlson, because it was his favorite cartoon from childhood. His least liked role is the Prince’s Friend in the Swan Lake, because, he says, this character’s line is very undeveloped and constricted. His least favorite ballet move is Pique Soutenu.

To his younger self or to an aspiring ballerina / aspiring ballet dancer he would say: Don’t try to do movements without giving it a thought first, and always spend enough time warming up.

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Prince, Rothbart

Anton was born in Minsk. He graduated from the Belarusian State Choreographic College. While still in the last years of study he was accepted into the troupe of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus. Possession of bright artistic and technical abilities allowed him to achieve success in the shortest possible time and become the Premier of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus. Over the years of work, there was not a single performance in which he would not take part. Each role performed by him makes you think and leaves a mark on your heart for many years, and the possession of natural stage charm leaves no one indifferent and makes every viewer fall in love with him. 

During the period of work, he participated in all tours of the theater, in more than two dozen countries. He enjoys great respect and influence in the team. He passes on his brilliant skills and experience to the younger generation, being not only a teacher at the Belarusian State Choreographic College, but also a teacher-tutor at the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus. His sense of style and ability to think outside the box was repeatedly used by choreographers when staging new performances, when he was involved as an assistant director (Anastasia, Polovtsian Dances, Faust, The Little Humpbacked Horse, etc.). 

In 2008, for achievements in the profession, he was awarded the Francysk Skaryna medal, and in 2013 he was awarded the honorary title of Honored Artist of the Republic of Belarus. In the summer of 2022, for outstanding creative achievements, merits in the field of culture and art, he was awarded the title – People’s Artist of Belarus!

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Odetta / Odile
• Cinderella: Fairy Godmother
• The Nutcracker: Sugar Plum Fairy

Andrea Lassakova was born in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia, and received her dance training exclusively with Klara Skodova at the Eva Jacz Dance Conservatory in Bratislava, the primary training facility for the Slovak National Ballet. She graduated from the Conservatory in 2011, and the same year joined the Slovak National Theatre as a demi-soloist, where she performed roles in ballets including The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Le Corsaire, La Sylphide, the Swan Lake, Giselle and The Little Prince.

In 2013-2014, Andrea moved to Finland and became a dancer of the Youth Company of the Finnish National Ballet. In 2014-2015, she joined the Finnish National Ballet’s Main Company. In 2015, Andrea moved to St. Petersburg, Russia, and joined the Mikhailovsky Ballet by invitation as soloist, and was promoted to the rank of First Soloist in 2021, dancing major principal repertoire including Odette/Odile in the Swan Lake, Medora in Le Corsaire, Gamzatti in La Bayadere, Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, Queen of the Dryads in Don Quixote, Queen of Willis in Giselle, Fairy of the Summer in Cinderella and Sylvia variation from Coppélia by Messerer.

Andrea was one of the few ballerinas to work under the tutelage of Madame Tatiana Nikolaevna Legat. From 2021-22 she was coached by former Kirov Ballet Prima Ballerina Zhanna Ayupova and worked frequently with choreographers Nacho Duato, Oleg Vinogradov, and Mikhail Messerer.

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Odette / Odile

Irina was born in a small town in Russia, (town of Abdulino, Orenburg region). Since childhood, she loved to dance and from the age of 4 she began to attend a ballet class. She first appeared on stage at the age of 6, and immediately fell in love with it. 

At the age of 11, she entered the Bashkir Choreographic School named after R. Nureyev (Rudolf Nureyev took his first dance steps at this school and after that went on to St. Petersburg to enter The Vaganova Academy). She studied there for 8 years and after graduating from the ballet school with honors she was accepted into the ballet troupe of the Bashkir State Opera and Ballet Theater (Ufa). Gradually, having gone through the entire corps de ballet, she began to dance solo parts in classical and modern ballets. 

In 2010, for the first time, Irina went to a ballet competition in the city of Istanbul and won her first silver medal. This was a huge victory for her and a big push for future victories. After this competition, for several years, Irina won 6 silver medals at other international competitions, including the world-famous competition in the city of Jackson (USA), which takes place every 4 years. 

After working at the Bashkir Theater for 6 years, Irina, at the invitation, moved to the city of Vladivostok, where a new theater was opened (2013), the Mariinsky Theater in the Far East. In this theater, she performed the leading roles in all performances. Repeatedly, as part of the troupe of this theater, Irina danced on the historical stage of the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg. 

Since December 2021, Irina has returned to the Bashkir Opera and Ballet Theater as a prima ballerina, where she has been working to this day. In 2015, Kanat Nadyrbek came to Vladivostok at the invitation of the leadership to perform the part of Siegfried in the ballet Swan Lake. Irina was his partner and this is how they first met. Three years later, they got married, and in 2020 the couple had a daughter. To this day, they often dance together a varied classical repertoire and also tour the world.  

Roles:

• Cinderella: Prince

Leo’s dream is to become a dancer people buy tickets to see on stage, whatever show he is in.

He was born in Padova, Italy and started his dancing career at the age of seven. His training began at John Cranko Schule Stuttgart followed by attending Vienna State Opera Ballet Academy and Vaganova Ballet Academy. After completing his education Leo spent a year dancing as part of the Joffrey Ballet Studio Company, performed the Solor part in the Bayadere at the Mariinsky Theater and now is a Demi-Soloist in Estonian National Ballet.

His favourite ballet role is the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, perhaps this is because he had such a fun time exploring this quirky and entertaining character while working on Gianluca Schiavoni’s production the ballet in Estonia. Leo finds joy in movement and expressing emotions and his personality on stage, so he is not a big fan of static roles. His dream role is Basilio in his favourite ballet Don Quixote.

A piece of advice to his younger self:

“Have more faith in the power of your passion and energy. It is OK not to be like the others and to bring your unique ideas to your dancing.”

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Prince

Born in a small town in Kyrgyzstan – the town of Balykchy, Kanat never thought about ballet as a child, just played football and enjoyed the delights of country life. At the age of 11, his family moved to the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, and he needed to continue his studies somewhere. His uncle, the People’s Artist of the USSR, the famous ballet dancer Cholponbek Bazarbaev, having looked at his natural abilities, advised him to enter the ballet school. Thus began the story of Kanat in ballet.

While still a high school student, Kanat already danced solo parts at the Bishkek Academic Theater. In 2010 he began to cooperate with the Moscow troupe “Moscow City Ballet.” From 2012 to 2014 he was a soloist of the ballet theater in Seoul “Universal ballet.”

In 2015 he moved to Vladivostok as the premier of the Mariinsky Theater of the Primorsky Stage (there he met Irina Sapozhnikova – his future wife).

He repeatedly danced on the Historical Stage of the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg the classical repertoire of World Ballet Series.

In 2021 he was invited to the Bashkir Opera and Ballet Theater as the premiere of the ballet troupe. At the moment he is the premier of the ballet troupe of the Kyrgyz Academic National Opera and Ballet Theatre, also the premier of the Bashkir Opera and Ballet Theater and the invited premier of the Rostov Musical Theater (Rostov-on-Don).

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Pa de Trois
• Cinderella: Prince’s Friend, Dance Tutor
• The Nutcracker: Soldier Doll, Spanish Dance

Yevheni was born in Kazakhstan, Almaty, and he started dancing when he was ten years old.

He studied at the Almaty Choreographic School named after A.V. Seleznev, danced at the Astana Opera Theater in Astana, participated in the entire repertoire and in the corps de ballet and various small solo parts.

Yevheni has a daring dream list and he wants to try skydiving, to swim with the whales and to star in a movie or series.

His favorite fairy tale character is The Simpleton dwarf in Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, because he is cheerful and just enjoys what he has.

Yevheni’s most disliked ballet parts are the inserted pas de deux and pas de trois, because they are complex but ungrateful parts, and his most disliked move is the adagio.

His favorite ballet and character is Spartacus.

His advice to his younger version is: Work hard and participate in all competitions. Don’t be afraid and don’t complicate things in your head.

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Black Swans, Hungarian Dance
• Cinderella: Stepmother
• The Nutcracker: Arabian Dance, Mrs. Stahlbaum

Angelina loves ballet for its vivaciousness. She was born in Pleshenitsy – a small town in Belarus, and took up gymnastics when she was six, then gradually moved on to ballet by the age of ten. Angelina received her training at the Belarusian State Choreographic Gymnasium-College and she also graduated from the Belarus State University of Arts and Culture with a degree in Cultural Studies.

Angelina’s least favorite parts are those rather static roles which require more walking than dancing. She enjoys herself the most when moving and expressing herself in various characters and styles. The most challenging dance moves for her are the ones that require turnout – Angelina had to work hard on her turnout from an early age.

A piece of advice to her younger self: Always find good use for your free time. Keep improving, and never doubt yourself. You can do it!

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Pa de Trois, Brides
• Cinderella: Stepsister
• The Nutcracker: Marie, Columbine, Candy Dance

Ekaterina likes trying new techniques in ballet and dreams of visiting Paris.

Ekaterina was born in Kaliningrad. She started dancing when she was eight years old – first as a member of the ensemble called “The Dream”. After some time, when she realized that dance was more than a hobby for her, Ekaterina moved to Minsk, Belarus, to receive her professional ballet performer training at the Choreography College.

Ekaterina danced on the stages of the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus, Royal Opera House Muscat, and other renowned venues. Her roles include Maria in La Halte de Cavalerie, the Beloved in Straussiana, The Fairy of Generosity in Sleeping Beauty, Step Sister in Cinderella, Angela in Creation of the World, and Little Swan in Swan Lake.

Ekaterina’s least favorite ballet move is assemblé. She also came to learn that sometimes a new part that seems wrong at the beginning – it may contain a challenging technique, or an unusual character temperament – becomes her favorite through the work process. Ekaterina likes to find ways to bring color to a character and make it uniquely her own. Thus, she turns the roles that she initially disliked into the best and most interesting ones.

Ekaterina’s favorite fairy tale character is the Little Prince because he teaches us to look within, to be loyal, responsible, to value friendship and love. Her favorite ballet role is Giselle.

A piece of advice to her younger self: Be brave, don’t be afraid of anything, because the dream is stronger than fear.

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Pa de Trois
• Cinderella: Prince’s Friend
• The Nutcracker: Mouse, Spanish Dance

Eldiiar was born in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and started dancing at the age of ten at the Bishkek Choreography College. He continued his training at the Kyrgyz State University of Culture and Arts and graduated in 2021 as a teaching choreographer.

Eldiiar gained a vast performing experience at home, on the grand stage of the Kyrgyz National Opera and Ballet Academic Theatre.

His favorite ballet is Don Quixote (he would like to one day dance Basile), and his favorite character is Spartacus from the ballet of the same name because of the main character’s will to fight for freedom. In the contrast, his least favorite role is Hans from Giselle, because the love triangle between Albert, Giselle, and Hans eventually drove Giselle mad.

Eldiiar hopes that one day there will be peace on Earth and wishes for more kindness in the world.

A piece of advice to his younger self: Work smarter, not harder.

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Pa de Trois, Big swans, Brides
• Cinderella: Fairy Godmother, Stepsister
• The Nutcracker: Columbine, Russian Dance

Darya was born in the town of Smorgon, Belarus, and she fell in love with dancing from a young age, taking ballroom dancing and jazz classes. At the age of nine, Darya began her professional classical dance training. She eventually graduated from the Belarusian State Choreographic Gymnasium-College and received a degree in teaching from the Belarus State Academy of Music.

Darya danced solo parts in every production of the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus’ repertoire, as well as leading roles, such as Gamzatti in La Bayadere, Odette/Odille in the Swan Lake, Kitty Scherbatsky in Anna Karenina, Tzarina in The Firebird, and many others.

Darya’s favorite ballet is Anna Karenina. Her favorite fairy tale character is Belle from Beauty and the Beast because she is courageous, kind to everyone, and pure of heart. 

When it comes to the least favorite ballet move, Darya is not a fan of fouetté efface.

Darya hopes to visit all the beautiful and historical places of the world.

A piece of advice to her younger self: Be brave, don’t hide your potential. Modesty is a virtue, but it only holds you back when it comes to ballet.

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Rothbart, Hungarian Dance
• Cinderella: Mouse
• The Nutcracker: Drosselmeyer

Maksim was born in Minsk, Belarus, and started dancing when he was 6. His dance career began in a ballroom dancing class, but after a while, Maksim found himself in the world of ballet. He received his training at the Belarusian State Choreographic Gymnasium-College and was invited to the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus. Since then, Maksim has performed on various stages across the world.

Maksim does not have the least favorite dance moves; there are only those he is yet to master. His least favorite character is Crassus in Spartacus – he is vain, full of hubris, and thinks he is invincible out of ignorance.

A piece of advice to his younger self: Have more confidence in yourself!

Roles:

• Swan Lake: The Jester’s Dance
• Cinderella: Prince’s Friend
• The Nutcracker: The Nutcracker Toy

Saadi aims to become the best at what he does, and even though dreams like this don’t always come true, he believes one should absolutely dare to dream big.

He is from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and started his ballet training rather early at the Bazarbayev Bishkek Choreographic College from which he graduated in 2014. Saadi continued his education at the Kyrgyz State University of Culture and Arts, graduating in 2020.

Saadi has many favorite roles, but one character, whose life, passion, and pain he would like to experience, is Crassus in Spartacus. He also likes Basile in Don Quixote and Kasym in Mother’s Field. Saadi’s least favorite ballet moves are adagio and cabriole; the roles he likes the least are those which do not give the performer much space for dramatic expression.

A piece of advice to his younger self: There are no small roles, only small actors.

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Big Swans, Russian Dance
• Cinderella: Dance of the Oranges
• The Nutcracker: Candy Dance

Edyta was born in Wrocław, Poland. She began dancing when she was four years old and completed her training at the State Ballet School in Berlin, Germany. She has gone on to perform at the Wrocław Opera, Theater Dortmund and Theater Magdeburg. Her favorite ballet role is Giselle – a beautiful story teaching us that one should never play with the feelings of others.

A piece of advice to her younger self: Never give up.

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Rothbart
• The Nutcracker: Drosselmeyer

Egor Azarkevich graduated from the Belarusian State Choreographic College and joined the ballet company of the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre of the Republic of Belarus in 2007. He is famous for his portraying of the Slave and Solor in La Bayadère, Ali in Le Corsaire, Siegfried and Von Rothbart in Swan Lake, Romeo, Tybalt and Paris in Romeo and Juliet, Soloist in Paquita, Spartacus and Crassus in Spartacus, The Price in The Nutcracker, Khan Girey and Vaslav in The Fountain of Bakhchisarai, the Poet and Goliard in Carmina Burana, Rogneda`s brother in Passions (Rogneda), Phoebus in La Esmeralda, God and Adam in The Creation of the World, Price in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Hans in Giselle, Gurn in La Sylphide, Shakhzaman in Scheherazade, Tristan in Tristan and Isolde, His Excellency and Student in Anyuta, Espada in Don Quixote, Price and Désiré in The Sleeping Beauty, Dark Angel and Boy in Serenade, The Vizier in Thamar, José in Carmen Suite, Soloist in Bolero, Ivan in The Firebird, Bahram in Seven Beauties, The Pilot in Le Petit Price and many others.

Egor has toured Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Italy, China, Mexica, South Korea, Syria, Egypt, and Lebanon as a principal dancer.

Egor obtained a diploma in Rudolph Nureyev International Ballet Competition (RNIBC) in Budapest as a finalist in 2008.

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Little Swans, Pas de trois, Mazurka
• Cinderella: Dance of the Oranges
• The Nutcracker: Chinese Dance

Haruka was born in Japan and started studying ballet in Kyoto when she was 7 years old.

In 2013-2015 she trained at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet (class of Professor Lyudmila Kovaleva). In 2015-2022 she worked at the Astrakhan State Theater of Opera and Ballet in Russia, and from 2017 was promoted to leading soloist.

She is the 3rd prize winner of the Russian-Japanese Eurasia competition 2019. She toured Germany, England, Spain, and China.

The highlighted roles of her career include: Masha/Princess in The Nutcracker, Giselle in Giselle, Aurora, Princess Florine in Sleeping beauty, Pas de trois in the Swan Lake, Queen of Dryads, Street Dancer in Don Quixote. Also, Sylphide in La Sylphide, Black Swan Pas de dux from the Swan Lake, Pas de dux from Talisman, Pas de dux from Le Corsaire 3rd act and more.

Haruka’s dream is to have her own big book library. Her favorite fairy tale is The Three Musketeers, which she read many times when she was a child. She is especially fond of the characters of D’Artagnan and Athos, because they are brave and smart, they fight against evil, and their resourcefulness gets them out of any trouble that they find themselves in.

Haruka likes a good choreographic challenge, and prefers complicated parts which allow for a range of movement. Her favorite ballet and role is Giselle, because Giselle is a very emotional lyrical character and she is in love. “When I dance Giselle, I can feel Giselle’s emotions, happiness, pain, sadness and love… and I wants to convey these emotions to the audience” – she says.

Her advice to an aspiring ballet dancer is: Have no fear, dance with your soul, express your emotions, and have fun!

Roles:

• Swan Lake:  Big Swans, Black Swan, Brides
• Cinderella: Stepsister, Dance of the Oranges
• The Nutcracker: Arabian Dance

Alina was born in Minsk. As a child, she went to preparatory ballet classes, and they danced in those very same ballet classrooms of the college in which she later enrolled while still in the fifth grade – the Belarusian State Choreographic Gymnasium-College. After graduating from there, she was hired by the Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater in Minsk. She worked there for two years, first as a corps de ballet dancer, and then at the end of the second year she was promoted to coryphée. 

While working in the theater, she danced both group and coryphée parts, such as the corps de ballet of the entire female repertoire, as well as the Stones and Great Maid of Honor from the ballet Sleeping Beauty, classics from Don Quixote, insertion variation from Don Quixote, Pa Daxion from Paquita, Two Willis from Giselle, Brides from the Swan Lake. 

Alina’s dream is to have a strong, loving family and a house by the sea. She doesn’t have any specific favorite fairy-tale hero, but she really loves all the fairy tales and cartoons with animals. 

There is no ballet role that she doesn’t love or wouldn’t like to try to perform. As a child, Alina loved to do the rond de jambe en l’air. She loves the ballet Don Quixote and the role of Kitri. 

Alina believes that it is impossible to achieve something great without hard work, and that you need to work on yourself every day, developing both physically and spiritually.

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Spanish Dance
• Cinderella: Dance Tutor
• The Nutcracker: Fritz

Aleksandr was born in Kobrin (Belarus), and when he was 2 years old, his parents moved to Ukraine (Crimea).

He studied at the Kiev State Choreographic School until the 9th grade and completed his education at the Belarusian State Choreographic Gymnasium-College.

Aleksandr danced at the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus for 4 years.

His biggest dream is peace in the world. His favorite hero is The Little Humpbacked Horse, because he is very kind, cheerful and devoted to his owner-friend.

Aleksandr finds that his least favorite ballet move is jete entrelasse, and his favorite ballet is Romeo and Juliet, where he loves the character of Mercutio.

A message that he would like to pass on to his younger self is: You will succeed, just start stretching right now.

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Spanish Dance
• Cinderella: Dance of the Clocks, Guest at the Ball
• The Nutcracker: Butler, Walts of the Flowers

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Spanish Dance, Black Swans, Waltz
• Cinderella: Entourage, Guests at the Ball
• The Nutcracker: Chinese Dance

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Mazurka Dance, Waltz
• Cinderella: Entourage, the Guest at the Ball
• The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Snowflakes, Waltz of the Flowers

Roles:

• Cinderella: Dance Tutor
• The Nutcracker: Chinese Dance, Soldier Doll

Dmitry believes that there is no such thing as a bad role. He was born in 1991 in Slutsk, Belarus and right after graduating from Choreographic College in 2011 was invited to join Belarus State Academic Musical Theatre as a principal dancer.

Ironically, Dmitry is a recipient of a “Crystal Slipper” Diploma. In 2014, he became a laureate of the 2nd International Baltic competition and also received an award for his contribution to the performing arts from the Minsk City Council.

His favorite cartoon character is Timon from The Lion King because his positivity can charm anyone.

Dmitry believes that every role gives a performer an opportunity to grow. However, his favorite one is Romeo from Romeo and Juliet.

His least favorite ballet move is Gargouillade.

Dmitry hopes to show as many people around the world as possible that ballet is not boring.

A piece of advice to his younger self: “Keep working. This is the best profession in the world.”

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Brides
• Cinderella: the Guest at the Ball, Entourage
• The Nutcracker: Sugar Plum Fairy

Roles:

• Swan Lake: The Prince’s Tutor
• Cinderella: King
• The Nutcracker: Mr. Stahlbaum

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Hungarian Dance
• Cinderella: Entourage, the Guest at the Ball
• The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Flowers, Waltz of the Snowflakes

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Spanish Dance
• Cinderella: Mouse, Dance of the clocks
• The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Flowers

A seasoned traveller, Igor lived and worked in many countries of the world, including Dubai and China.

He was born in Minsk and started dancing when in the second grade. Right after graduating from Choreographic College in Minsk, Igor was invited to the Belarus Musical Theatre, where after three months he was promoted to soloist. In 2014 Igor moved to Dubai, where he lived and worked with his wife for two years, after which the couple received and accepted an invitation to move to China for three years.

Igor loves fairytales. But favourite fairy-tale character depends on the current preference of his little daughter. His least favourite ballet role was Shakhriyar in 1001 Nights, because Igor was offered to dance the part at the age of 19 and was convinced he would not rise up to the challenge. It seemed to him that at such young age it would be impossible to play a wise, grown-up king.

A piece of advice to his younger self: “Good job! You’ve done everything right. Have no regrets and never betray your principles.”

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Big Swans, Brides
• Cinderella: Dance of the Oranges

Anastasia’s path to ballet started from ice-skating.

She was born in Saint Petersburg and had a love for sports since early childhood, when she began ice-skating at the age of four. After some time she took up gymnastics and eventually started dancing at the age of nine. Anastasia has completed her training at the Vaganova Ballet Academy in Saint-Petersburg and was invited to dance at Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

As a permanent company member of the World Ballet Series, she performed such roles as Pas de Trois, Big Swans’ dance, Walz, Bride’s dance, Spanish dance, and the Russian dance in Swan Lake, the Waltz of Snowflakes (Solo), Waltz of the Flowers (Leading couples), and the Russian dance in the Nutcracker.

Anastasia’s dreams to continue doing the work that she loves, and that brings her joy. Her favourite fairy-tale character is the Little Mermaid, and favourite ballet is Swan Lake – even though it is one of the most difficult ballets to perform. As for the role she would like to perform one day, it would definitely be Aurora from “Sleeping Beauty”.

A piece of advice to her younger self:

Always believe in yourself, never despair, never give up.

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Hungarian dance
• Cinderella: Dance of the Clocks
• The Nutcracker: Chinese Dance, Dance of the Flowers

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Brides
• Cinderella: Dance of the Oranges
• The Nutcracker: Sugar Plum Fairy

Roles:

• Cinderella: Mouse, Dance of the Clocks
• The Nutcracker: Doll

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Russian Dance
• Cinderella: The Guest at the Ball, Entourage
• The Nutcracker: Sugar Plum Fairy

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Little Swans
• The Nutcracker: Chinese Dance

Kyunsun Park was born in Korea, yet received a Vaganova Ballet education which gives her performances their own unique fabric.

She was trained at the Russian Ballet Academy in Japan, spent three years at the Vaganova Ballet Academy and performed with the Odessa State Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Most majestic for her, thus far, has been her time as a soloist at the Yekaterinburg State Academical Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Kyunsun’s finesse and prowess no doubt comes from her training with Irina Sytnilova (formerly a Mariinksy soloist and Associate Professor at the Vaganova Russian Ballet Academy) and “Sir of Dance,” Gennady Selutsky, one of the most honored professors at the Russian Ballet Academy who danced for over 35 years with the Mariinsky Ballet.

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Little Swans
• Cinderella: Dance of the Oranges
• The Nutcracker: Chinese Dance

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Mazurka Dance
• Cinderella: Father
• The Nutcracker: Spanish Dance

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Hungarian Dance, Black Swans
• Cinderella: Russian Dance

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Big Swans
• The Nutcracker: Walts of the Flowers

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Little Swans
• Cinderella: Entourage, the Guest of the Ball
• The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Flowers, Waltz of the Snowflakes

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Mazurka Dance
• Cinderella: Dance of the Clocks
• The Nutcracker: Mouse

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Brides
• Cinderella: Entourage, the Guest of the Ball
• The Nutcracker: Spanish Dance

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Black Swans, Hungarian Dance
• Cinderella: Dance of the Oranges
• The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Flowers, Walts of the Snowflakes

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Russian Dance
• Cinderella: Entourage, the Guest of the Ball
• The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Snowflakes, Waltz of the Flowers

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Mazurka
• Cinderella: Father, Mouse
• The Nutcracker: Butler, Russian Dance

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Spanish Dance
• Cinderella: Entourage, the Guest of the Ball

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Little Swans
• Cinderella: Entourage, the Guest at the Ball
• The Nutcracker: Chinese Dance

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Black Swans
• Cinderella: Entourage, the Guest at the Ball
• The Nutcracker: Sugar Plum Fairy

Roles:

• Swan Lake: the Prince’s Tutor, the Jester’s Dance
• The Nutcracker: Butler, Waltz of the Flowers

Roles:

• Swan Lake: Little Swans, the Jester’s Dance
• Cinderella: Entourage, the Guest of the Ball
• The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Snowflakes, Waltz of the Flowers