Choreographers. Life on stage

The art of dance is a unique form of expression that uses a universal body language that everyone can understand. From ballet to modern dance, from hip-hop to salsa and from oriental dance to flamenco, dance has recently become an indulgence that is something of a renaissance.

But when it comes to individual dancers, who has the best moves? The best posture, strength and sharpness? Below are ten of the greatest dancers of the twentieth century - selected for their fame, popularity and influence on the world art of dance.

10. Vaslav Nijinsky

Vaslav Nijinsky was one of the most talented ballet dancers in history, perhaps even the greatest. Unfortunately, there is no clear footage of his incredible talent in motion, which is the main reason why he only ranks tenth on this list.

Nijinsky was well known for his amazing ability to defy gravity with his magnificent leaps, as well as his ability to fully inhabit the role he was playing. He is also known for dancing in pointe shoes, a skill not often seen in dancers. Nijinsky danced in the lead roles paired with the legendary ballerina Anna Pavlova. Then Tamara Karsavina, founder of London's Royal Academy of Dancing, became his partner. They were described with Karsavina as “the most exemplary artists of that time.”

Nijinsky left the stage in 1919, at the relatively young age of twenty-nine. His retirement is believed to have been due to a nervous breakdown, and he was also diagnosed with schizophrenia. Nijinsky spent the last years of his life in psychiatric hospitals and asylums. The last time he danced in public was in the final days of World War II, impressing a group of Russian soldiers with his complex dance moves. Nijinsky died in London on April 8, 1950.

9. Martha Graham


Martha Graham is considered the mother of modern dance. She created the only fully codified technique of modern dance, produced over one hundred and fifty works during her life as a choreographer, and had a huge influence on all areas of modern dance.

Her technique's departure from classical ballet, and her use of specific body movements such as contraction, release and spirals, have had a profound influence on the dance world. Graham even went so far as to create a “language” of movement based on the expressive capabilities of the human body.

She danced and choreographed for over seventy years. During this time, she became the first dancer to perform at the White House; the first dancer to travel overseas as a cultural ambassador and the first dancer to receive the highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. As the mother of modern dance, she will be immortalized in the memory of people for her incredibly emotional performances, her unique choreography, and especially for her homegrown dance technique.

8. Josephine Baker


Although Josephine Baker's name is primarily associated with the Jazz Age, her fiery dances continue to influence the dance world almost one hundred and ten years after her birth, as they always did.

Many decades before Madonna, Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez, there was Josephine Baker, one of the world's first celebrities of African descent. Josephine went to Paris in 1925 to dance in La Revue Nègre. She made a lasting impression on French audiences with her perfect combination of exotic charm and talent.

The following year she performed at the Folies Bergère, and this was the true beginning of her career. She appeared in a banana skirt and wowed the crowd with her dancing style. She later added singing to her performances, and remained popular in France for many years. Josephine Baker responded to the adoration of the French people by becoming a French citizen herself in 1937.

In France, she did not feel the same level of racial prejudice that was present in the United States at the time. Toward the end of her life, Josephine Baker hoped to create a "world village" on her estate in France, but these plans were dashed by financial difficulties. To raise funds, she returned to the stage. Her return was short, but it was a triumph on Broadway in the 1970s, and in 1975 she opened a retrospective show in Paris. She died that year from a cerebral hemorrhage, a week after the show opened.

7. Gene Kelly


Gene Kelly was one of the biggest stars and greatest innovators during the golden age of musicals in Hollywood. Kelly considered his own style to be something of a hybrid of different approaches to dance, taking his movements from modern dance, ballet, and tap.

Kelly brought dance to the theater, using every inch of his set, every possible surface, and every wide camera angle to break out of the two-dimensional confines of film. And in doing so, he changed the way filmmakers looked at their cameras. Thanks to Kelly, the camera became a living instrument, and even the dancer it was filming.

Kelly's legacy permeates the music video industry. Photographer Mike Salisbury photographed Michael Jackson for the cover of "Off The Wall" wearing "white socks and lightweight leather Gene Kelly loafers" - which have become the movie star's trademark. It was this image that after some time became the singer’s own recognizable brand.

Paula Abdul, originally known for her dancing and choreography, referenced Kelly's famous dance with Jerry the Mouse in her kitschy video for "Opposites Attract," which ends with a tap dance. Usher was another top-selling artist who paid tribute to Kelly's legacy. There will never be another dancer like Kelly, and his influence continues to resonate through generations of American dancers.

6. Sylvie Guillem


At forty-eight years old, Sylvie Guillem continues to defy the laws of ballet and gravity. Guillem changed the face of ballet with her uncanny talents, which she always used with intelligence, integrity and sensitivity. Her natural curiosity and courage led her to the most daring paths, beyond the usual boundaries of classical ballet.

Instead of spending her entire career on "safe" performances, she made bold decisions, equally capable of singing the role of "Raymonda" at the Paris Opera, or being part of an innovative dance performance based on the work of Forsythe. In The Middle Something Elevated." Almost no other dancer has such range, so it is not at all surprising that she has become the standard for most dancers around the world. Like Maria Callas in the opera world, Guillem was able to change the popular image of the ballerina.

5. Michael Jackson


Michael Jackson was the man who made music videos a trend and he is, without a doubt, the man who made dancing an important element of modern pop music. Jackson's moves have already become standard vocabulary in pop and hip-hop dances. Most modern pop icons such as Justin Bieber, Usher, Justin Timberlake admit that Michael Jackson's style has had a strong influence on them.

His contribution to the art of dance was original and unusual. Jackson was an innovator who was primarily self-taught, designing new dance moves without the common effects of formal training that limit one's imagination. His natural grace, flexibility and amazing rhythm contributed to the creation of the “Jackson style.” His employees called him a "sponge." This nickname was given to him for his ability to absorb ideas and techniques wherever he found them.

Jackson's biggest inspirations were James Brown, Marcel Marceau, Gene Kelly, and perhaps this will surprise many people, various classical ballet dancers. What many of his fans don't know is that he initially tried to "pirouette like Baryshnikov" and "tap dance like Fred Astaire" but failed miserably. However, his dedication to his own unique style brought him the fame he sought, and today his name stands alongside other giants of popular music such as Elvis and the Beatles, and he is considered one of the greatest pop icons of all time.

4. Joaquin Cortés


Joaquin Cortez is the youngest dancer on this list, but despite the fact that he is still in the process of shaping his legacy, he is one of the few dancers in history who managed to become phenomenal sex symbols, beloved by both women and men. and men. Elle Macpherson described it as "walking sex"; Madonna and Jennifer Lopez have publicly expressed their adoration for him, while Naomi Campbell and Mira Sorvino are among the women whose hearts he has (rumored) broken.

It's safe to say that Cortés is not only one of the greatest flamenco dancers of all time, but also the one who cemented flamenco's place in popular culture. His male admirers include Tarantino, Armani, Bertolucci, Al Pacino, Antonio Banderas, and Sting. Many of his fans call him the Flamenco God or simply the Sex God and if you get a chance to watch one of his shows, you will understand why. However, at the age of forty-four, Cortez remains a bachelor, declaring that "dance is my wife, my only woman."

3. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers


Astaire and Rogers, of course, were a unique pair of dancers. They say that “he gave her charm, and she gave him sex appeal.” They made dancing much more appealing to the masses in a rather prudish time. This was partly due to the fact that Rogers used her acting skills to dance, and made it seem like dancing with Astaire was the happiest moment of her life.

The era also contributed to the rise of their popularity; during the Great Depression, many Americans were trying to make ends meet - and these two dancers gave people a chance to forget about the depressing reality for a while and have fun.

2. Mikhail Baryshnikov


Mikhail Baryshnikov is one of the greatest ballet dancers of all time, considered by many critics to be the greatest. Born in Latvia, Baryshnikov studied ballet at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in St. Petersburg (then called Leningrad) before he began performing at the Mariinsky Theater in 1967. Since then, he has performed leading roles in dozens of ballets. He played a key role in bringing ballet into popular culture back in the late 1970s and early 80s, and he was the face of the art form for over two decades. Baryshnikov is perhaps the most influential dancer of our time.

1. Rudolf Nureyev


Baryshnikov won the hearts of critics and fellow dancers, and Rudolf Nureyev was able to charm millions of ordinary people around the world. The Russian-born dancer became a soloist at the Mariinsky Theater at the age of 20. In 1961, when his personal life brought him under Soviet scrutiny, he sought political asylum in Paris and then toured with the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas.

In the 1970s, he broke into the film industry. Most critics argue that he was not as technically good as Baryshnikov, but Nureyev still managed to captivate the crowds with his amazing charisma and emotional performances. The ballet of the couple Nureyev and Fonteyn (Romeo and Juliet) remains to this day one of the most powerful and emotional duet performances in the history of ballet.

Unfortunately, Nureyev was one of the first victims of HIV infection, and died of AIDS in 1993. Twenty years later, we can still see the incredible legacy he left behind.

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Donnie Burns


Donnie Burns is a Scottish professional ballroom dancer who specializes in Latin dance. He and his former dance partner Gaynor Fairweather were World Professional Latin Dance Champions a record sixteen times. He is currently the President of the World Dance Council, and also appeared on the twelfth season of Dancing with the Stars.

He is considered the greatest ballroom dancer of all time, and his championship dances with his partner are now considered classics. But things didn't always go so well for Burns. During an interview with the Daily Sun, he admitted: “I never thought a little boy from Hamilton would get to experience any of what I have experienced in my life. I was teased relentlessly at school and often got into fights because I wanted to prove that I was not a “dancing queen.”

It is safe to say that today he would not object to such an epithet, since Donnie Burns is currently considered the “King of Dance”.

The art of dance has been a universal form of self-expression since ancient times. Body language is understood by anyone in the world, which is why dancing is so popular. From ballet to modern dance, from hip-hop to salsa, from oriental dance to flamenco - in recent decades, dance as a high art has experienced a real flourishing.

But when it comes to individual dancers, it can be very difficult to choose just one as the best. If you are interested in dancing and the people who devoted their whole lives to it, then we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the list of the most famous and popular dancers of the 20th century.

10 Most Famous Dancers of the 20th Century

1. RUDOLF NURIEV

The artist was born in Russia and already at the age of twenty became a soloist of the Mariinsky Theater. In 1961, Nuriev asked for political asylum, allegedly in connection with his oppression by the authorities, and received it in France. Then the artist tours with the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas.

Eyewitnesses say that Nureyev was amazingly charismatic, and his emotional performance in a duet with Fonteyn in Romeo and Juliet remains to this day one of the most powerful performances among duets in the history of ballet.

Unfortunately, Nureyev became one of the first victims of HIV and died of AIDS in 1993. Twenty years later, we are still enjoying the great legacy he left behind.

2. MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV

Mikhail Baryshnikov is one of the greatest ballet dancers of all time, considered by many critics to be the best. Before joining the Mariinsky Theater troupe in 1967, Baryshnikov studied ballet at the Leningrad Vaganova School. Since the beginning of his career at the Mariinsky Theater, Mikhail has taken leading roles in dozens of productions.

Baryshnikov played a key role in the emergence of ballet as part of popular culture in the late 1970s and early 80s, and he was the face of the art form for more than two decades.

Today Mikhail Baryshnikov is perhaps the most influential and famous dancer of our time.

3. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers - this great dancing couple is today in third place in the ranking of the most famous dancers of the 20th century. The couple was very harmonious, he gave her class, and she made him even more charismatic. Their performances were accessible to the widest masses, and the public responded to them with sincere love.

The heyday of Astaire and Rogers' careers came during the Great Depression, and the timing was extremely fortunate: many Americans at that time were struggling to make ends meet, and the couple's fiery dancing allowed them to at least briefly escape reality and have fun.

4. JOAQUIN CORTEZ

Joaquin Cortez is the youngest among the dancers presented on our list. Although he has not yet finished his career and may not have danced his most famous dance, Cortez is one of the few dancers in history to earn the title of sex symbol and is wildly popular among both women and men. Madonna and Jennifer Lopez claim to adore him, while Naomi Campbell and Mira Sorvino join the ranks of women whose hearts he broke.

It's safe to say that Joaquin Cortez is one of the greatest flamenco dancers in the world. Among his male admirers are Tarantino, Armani, Al Pacino, Banderas and Sting. Fans call him the god of flamenco, and if you watch even one recording of his performance, you will understand why. At the age of forty-four, Cortez is still alone; he once declared: “Dancing is my wife, my only woman.”

5. MICHAEL JACKSON

Michael Jackson was the man who made dancing an important element of modern pop music. Most modern pop stars, such as Justin Bieber, Usher, Justin Timberlake, have admitted that at different times they were greatly influenced by the style of Michael Jackson.

His contribution to dance is enormous. Jackson was an innovator who created new dance moves on his own. His natural grace, flexibility and sense of rhythm contributed to the emergence of the signature "Jackson style". His colleagues called him a “sponge” for his ability to search and find new ideas and techniques wherever he was.

Jackson looked for inspiration in the works of James Brown, Marcelle Marceau, Gene Kelly and, no matter how strange it may sound, in the performances of classical ballet dancers. Michael Jackson's originality and unique style brought him fame, and today he stands alongside other giants of popular music such as Elvis and the Beatles.

6. SYLVIE GUILLEM

At forty-eight years old, Sylvie Guillem continues to be one of the most popular ballerinas in the world. Guillem has changed the face of ballet, her performances go beyond its classical boundaries.

Instead of building a classical career as a ballerina, Guillem made a bold choice, equally participating in productions of the Paris Opera and in the projects of William Forsythe. Along with Maria Callas in the opera world, Sylvie Guillem again shaped the popular image of a ballerina.

7. GENE KELLY

Gene Kelly was one of the most famous stars of Hollywood musicals. Kelly's numbers harmoniously combined ballet elements and modern dance movements - it was his own unique style. Kelly brought new dance trends to theatrical productions.

Kelly's legacy is his music video, recognized and loved around the world. More than one generation of American dancers has found something of their own in his movements and style.

8. JOSEPHINE BAKER

Although Josephine Baker's name is primarily associated with the heyday of jazz music - the Golden Age of Jazz, her influence on emerging and contemporary stars remains great.

Josephine Baker is one of the first stars of African descent. She arrived in Paris in 1925 and literally captivated the public with her combination of exotic charm and talent. Josephine performed at the Folies Bergere, and this was a good start to her career. In France, the artist did not feel as widespread racial prejudice as it was in the United States at that time.

At the end of her life, Josephine returned to the stage. She died in 1975 from a cerebral hemorrhage.

9. MARTHA GRAHAM

Martha Graham is considered the mother of modern dance. She created more than one hundred and fifty unique choreographic numbers and had a huge influence on all areas of modern dance.

Her technique differs from the classical one, and movements such as compression, release and spiral are her own invention. Graham went even further and created a “language of movement” based on the expressive capabilities of the human body.

10. VACLAV NIJINSKY

Vaslav Nijinsky was one of the most talented ballet dancers in history. Unfortunately, there are no recordings of his performance left, so it is currently impossible to appreciate his incredible talent.

Nijinsky was known for his amazing ability to defy gravity, which was embodied in his magnificent leaps. Vaclav was the partner of the legendary Anna Pavlova.

Nijinsky left the stage in 1919 at the age of twenty-nine. He was sick with schizophrenia and frequent nervous breakdowns did not allow him to continue working. The artist spent the last years of his life in psychiatric hospitals and shelters.

Alonso Alicia(b. 1921), Cuban prima ballerina. A dancer of a romantic nature, she was especially magnificent in “Giselle.” In 1948 she founded the Alicia Alonso Ballet in Cuba, which later became known as the National Ballet of Cuba. Alonso's stage life was very long; she stopped performing at the age of over sixty.

Andreyanova Elena Ivanovna(1819-1857), Russian ballerina, the largest representative of romantic ballet. The first performer of the title roles in the ballets "Giselle" and "Paquita". Many choreographers created roles in their ballets especially for Andreyanova.

Ashton Frederick(1904-1988), English choreographer and director of the Royal Ballet of Great Britain in 1963-1970. Several generations of English ballet dancers grew up on the performances he staged. Ashton's style determined the characteristics of the English ballet school.

Balanchine George(Georgy Melitonovich Balanchivadze, 1904-1983), outstanding Russian-American choreographer of the 20th century, innovator. He was convinced that dance does not need the help of a literary plot, scenery and costumes, but the most important thing is the interaction of music and dance. Balanchine's influence on world ballet is difficult to overestimate. His legacy includes more than 400 works.

Baryshnikov Mikhail Nikolaevich(b. 1948), dancer of the Russian school. Masterly classical technique and purity of style made Baryshnikov one of the most famous representatives of male dance in the 20th century. After graduating from the Leningrad Choreographic School, Baryshnikov was accepted into the ballet troupe of the S.M. Kirov Opera and Ballet Theater and soon performed leading classical roles. In June 1974, while on tour with the Bolshoi Theater troupe in Toronto, Baryshnikov refused to return to the USSR. In 1978, he joined J. Balanchine's New York City Ballet troupe, and in 1980 he became artistic director of the American Ballet Theater and remained in this position until 1989. In 1990, Baryshnikov and choreographer Mark Morris founded the White Oak Dance Project, which over time grew into a large traveling troupe with a modern repertoire. Among Baryshnikov's awards are gold medals at international ballet competitions.

Bejar Maurice(b. 1927), French choreographer, born in Marseille. He founded the troupe "Ballet of the 20th Century" and became one of the most popular and influential choreographers in Europe. In 1987, he moved his troupe to Lausanne (Switzerland) and changed its name to “Béjart Ballet in Lausanne”.

Blasis Karlo(1797-1878), Italian dancer, choreographer and teacher. He directed the dance school at the La Scala theater in Milan. Author of two famous works on classical dance: “Treatise on Dance” and “Code Terpsichore”. In the 1860s he worked in Moscow, at the Bolshoi Theater and ballet school.

Bournonville August(1805-1879), Danish teacher and choreographer, was born in Copenhagen, where his father worked as a choreographer. In 1830 he headed the ballet of the Royal Theater and staged many performances. They are carefully preserved by many generations of Danish artists.

Vasiliev Vladimir Viktorovich(b. 1940), Russian dancer and choreographer. After graduating from the Moscow Choreographic School, he worked in the Bolshoi Theater troupe. Possessing a rare gift of plastic transformation, he had an unusually wide range of creativity. His performing style is noble and courageous. Winner of many international awards and prizes. He was repeatedly named the best dancer of the era. His name is associated with the highest achievements in the field of male dance. Permanent partner of E. Maksimova.

Vestris Auguste(1760-1842), French dancer. His creative life was extremely successful at the Paris Opera until the revolution of 1789. He then emigrated to London. He is also famous as a teacher: among his students are J. Perrault, A. Bournonville, Maria Taglioni. Vestris, the greatest dancer of his era, possessed a virtuoso technique and a large jump, had the title "god of dance."

Geltser Ekaterina Vasilievna(1876-1962), Russian dancer. She was the first ballet dancer to be awarded the title "People's Artist of the RSFSR". A bright representative of the Russian school of classical dance. In her performance she combined lightness and swiftness with breadth and softness of movements.

Goleizovsky Kasyan Yaroslavovich(1892-1970), Russian choreographer. Participant in the innovative experiments of Fokin and Gorsky. Musicality and rich imagination determined the originality of his art. In his work he sought a modern sound of classical dance.

Gorsky Alexander Alekseevich(1871-1924), Russian choreographer and teacher, ballet reformer. He strove to overcome the conventions of academic ballet, replaced pantomime with dance, and achieved historical accuracy in the design of the performance. A significant phenomenon was the ballet “Don Quixote” in its production, which to this day is in the repertoire of ballet theaters around the world.

Grigorovich Yuri Nikolaevich(b. 1927), Russian choreographer. For many years he was the chief choreographer of the Bolshoi Theater, where he staged the ballets “Spartacus”, “Ivan the Terrible” and “The Golden Age”, as well as his own editions of ballets from the classical heritage. His wife, Natalia Bessmertnova, performed in many of them. He made a great contribution to the development of Russian ballet.

Grisi Carlotta(1819-1899), Italian ballerina, first performer of the role of Giselle. She performed in all European capitals and at the St. Petersburg Mariinsky Theater. Distinguished by her extraordinary beauty, she possessed in equal measure the passion of Fanny Elsler and the lightness of Maria Taglioni.

Danilova Alexandra Dionisevna(1904-1997), Russian-American ballerina. In 1924 she left Russia with J. Balanchine. She was a ballerina in Diaghilev's troupe until his death, then danced in the Russian Ballet of Monte Carlo troupe. She did a lot for the development of classical ballet in the West.

De Valois Ninet(b. 1898), English dancer, choreographer. In 1931 she founded the Vic Wells Ballet troupe, which later became known as the Royal Ballet.

Didelot Charles Louis(1767-1837), French choreographer and teacher. For a long time he worked in St. Petersburg, where he staged more than 40 ballets. His activities in Russia helped propel Russian ballet to one of the first places in Europe.

Geoffrey Robert(1930-1988), American dancer, choreographer. In 1956 he founded the Joffrey Ballet troupe.

Duncan Isadora(1877-1927), American dancer. One of the founders of modern dance. Duncan put forward the slogan: “Freedom of body and spirit gives rise to creative thought.” She sharply opposed the school of classical dance and advocated the development of mass schools where children would learn through dance the beauty of the natural movements of the human body. Duncan's ideal was ancient Greek frescoes and sculpture. She replaced the traditional ballet costume with a light Greek tunic and danced without shoes. This is where the name "barefoot dance" comes from. Duncan improvised talentedly; her movements consisted of walking, running on half-toes, light jumps and expressive gestures. At the beginning of the 20th century, the dancer was very popular. In 1922 she married poet S. Yesenin and accepted Soviet citizenship. However, in 1924 she left the USSR. Duncan's art has undoubtedly influenced modern choreography.

Diaghilev Sergei Pavlovich(1872-1929), Russian theater figure, ballet impresario, director of the famous Russian Ballet. In an effort to introduce Russian art to Western Europe, Diaghilev organized an exhibition of Russian painting and a series of concerts in Paris in 1907, and the following season, the production of a number of Russian operas. In 1909, he assembled a troupe consisting of dancers from the Imperial Theaters, and during the summer vacation he took it to Paris, where he held the first “Russian Season”, in which such dancers as A.P. participated. Pavlova, T.P. Karsavina, M.M. Fokin, V.F. Nijinsky. "The Season", which was a huge success and stunned the public with its novelty, became a real triumph of Russian ballet and, of course, had a huge influence on the subsequent development of world choreography. In 1911, Diaghilev created a permanent troupe, Diaghilev's Russian Ballet, which existed until 1929. He chose ballet as a vehicle for new ideas in art and saw in it a synthesis of modern music, painting and choreography. Diaghilev was an inspiration for the creation of new masterpieces and a skillful discoverer of talent.

Ermolaev Alexey Nikolaevich(1910-1975), dancer, choreographer, teacher. One of the most prominent representatives of the Russian ballet school of the 20-40s of the twentieth century. Ermolaev destroyed the stereotype of a courteous and gallant gentleman dancer, changed the idea of ​​the possibilities of male dance and brought it to a new level of virtuosity. His performance of parts of the classical repertoire was unexpected and profound, and his style of dancing itself was unusually expressive. As a teacher, he trained many outstanding dancers.

Ivanov Lev Ivanovich(1834-1901), Russian choreographer, choreographer of the Mariinsky Theater. Together with M. Petipa he staged the ballet "Swan Lake", the author of the "swan" acts - the second and fourth. The genius of his production has stood the test of time: almost all choreographers who turn to “Swan Lake” leave the “swan acts” intact.

Istomina Avdotya Ilyinichna(1799-1848), leading dancer of the St. Petersburg Ballet. She had rare stage charm, grace, and virtuoso dance technique. In 1830, due to a leg illness, she switched to mime roles, and in 1836 she left the stage. Pushkin in “Eugene Onegin” has lines dedicated to her:

Brilliant, half-airy,
I obey the magic bow,
Surrounded by a crowd of nymphs,
Worth Istomin; she,
One foot touching the floor,
The other slowly circles,
And suddenly he jumps, and suddenly he flies,
Flies like feathers from the lips of Aeolus;
Either the camp will sow, then it will develop
And with a quick foot he hits the leg.

Camargo Marie(1710-1770), French ballerina. She became famous for her virtuoso dance while performing at the Paris Opera. The first of the women began to perform cabriole and entrechat, which were previously considered a part of the technique of exclusively male dance. She also shortened her skirts to allow her to move more freely.

Karsavina Tamara Platonovna(1885-1978), leading ballerina of the St. Petersburg Imperial Ballet. She performed in Diaghilev's troupe from the first performances and was often Vaslav Nijinsky's partner. The first performer in many of Fokine's ballets.

Kirkland Gelsey(b. 1952), American ballerina. Extremely gifted, as a teenager she received leading roles from J. Balanchine. In 1975, at the invitation of Mikhail Baryshnikov, she joined the American Ballet Theater troupe. She was considered the best performer of the role of Giselle in the United States.

Kilian Jiri(b. 1947), Czech dancer and choreographer. Since 1970 he danced in the troupe of the Stuttgart Ballet, where he performed his first productions, and since 1978 he has been the director of the Dutch Dance Theater, which thanks to him won world fame. His ballets are staged all over the world; they are distinguished by a special style, based mainly on adagio and emotionally rich sculptural structures. The influence of his work on modern ballet is very great.

Kolpakova Irina Aleksandrovna(b. 1933), Russian ballerina. She danced at the Opera and Ballet Theater. CM. Kirov. Classic ballerina, one of the best performers of the role of Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty. In 1989, at the invitation of Baryshnikov, she became a teacher at the American Ball Theater.

Cranko John(1927-1973), English choreographer of South African origin. His productions of multi-act narrative ballets became very famous. From 1961 until the end of his life he directed the Stuttgart Ballet.

Kshesinskaya Matilda Feliksovna(1872-1971), Russian artist, teacher. She had a bright artistic personality. Her dance was distinguished by bravura, cheerfulness, flirtatiousness and at the same time classical completeness. In 1929 she opened her studio in Paris. Prominent foreign dancers, including I. Shovir and M. Fontaine, took lessons from Kshesinskaya.

Lepeshinskaya Olga Vasilievna(b. 1916), Russian dancer. In 1933-1963 she worked at the Bolshoi Theater. She had sparkling technique. Her performance was distinguished by its temperament, emotional richness, and precision of movements.

Liepa Maris Eduardovich(1936-1989), Russian dancer. Liepa's dance stood out for its courageous, confident manner, breadth and strength of movements, clarity, and sculptural design. The thoughtfulness of all the details of the role and the bright theatricality made him one of the most interesting “dancing actors” of the ballet theater. Liepa's best role was the role of Crassus in the ballet "Spartacus" by A. Khachaturian, for which he received the Lenin Prize.

Makarova Natalia Romanovna(b. 1940), dancer. In 1959-1970 - artist of the Opera and Ballet Theater. CM. Kirov. Unique plastic abilities, perfect skill, external grace and internal passion - all this is characteristic of her dance. Since 1970, the ballerina has lived and worked abroad. Makarova’s work increased the glory of the Russian school and influenced the development of foreign choreography.

McMillan Kenneth(1929-1992), English dancer and choreographer. After the death of F. Ashton, he was recognized as the most influential choreographer in England. MacMillan's style is a combination of the classical school with a more free-spirited, flexible and acrobatic one, which was developed in Europe.

Maksimova Ekaterina Sergeevna(b. 1939), Russian ballerina. She joined the Bolshoi Theater troupe in 1958, where Galina Ulanova rehearsed with her, and soon began playing leading roles. He has great stage charm, filigree precision and purity of dance, grace, elegance of plasticity. She has equal access to comedic colors, subtle lyricism and drama.

Markova Alicia(b. 1910), English ballerina. As a teenager she danced in Diaghilev's troupe. One of the most famous performers of the role of Giselle, she was distinguished by her exceptional ease of dance.

Messerer Asaf Mikhailovich(1903-1992), Russian dancer, choreographer, teacher. He started studying at ballet school at the age of sixteen. Very soon he became a classical virtuoso dancer of an unusual style. Constantly increasing the complexity of the movements, he introduced energy, athletic strength and passion into them. On stage he seemed like a flying athlete. At the same time, he had a bright comedic gift and a unique artistic humor. He became especially famous as a teacher, since 1946 he taught a class for leading dancers and ballerinas at the Bolshoi Theater.

Messerer Sulamif Mikhailovna(b. 1908), Russian dancer, teacher. Sister of A. M. Messerer. In 1926-1950 - artist of the Bolshoi Theater. A dancer of an unusually wide repertoire, she performed roles from lyrical to dramatic and tragic. Since 1980 he has lived abroad and taught in different countries.

Moiseev Igor Alexandrovich(b. 1906), Russian choreographer. In 1937 he created the USSR Folk Dance Ensemble, which became an outstanding phenomenon in the history of world dance culture. The choreographic suites he staged are real examples of folk dance. Moiseev is an honorary member of the Academy of Dance in Paris.

Myasin Leonid Fedorovich(1895-1979), Russian choreographer and dancer. He studied at the Moscow Imperial Ballet School. In 1914 he entered the ballet troupe of S.P. Diaghilev and made his debut in “Russian Seasons”. Massine's talent as a choreographer and character dancer developed rapidly, and the dancer soon gained worldwide fame. After Diaghilev's death, Massine became head of the Russian Ballet of Monte Carlo.

Nijinsky Vaslav Fomich(1889-1950), outstanding Russian dancer and choreographer. At the age of 18 he performed leading roles at the Mariinsky Theater. In 1908, Nijinsky met S. P. Diaghilev, who invited him as a leading dancer to participate in the “Russian Ballet Season” of 1909. The Parisian public enthusiastically greeted the brilliant dancer with his exotic appearance and amazing technique. Nijinsky then returned to the Mariinsky Theater, but was soon fired (he appeared in a too revealing costume in the play "Giselle", which was attended by the Dowager Empress) and became a permanent member of Diaghilev's troupe. Soon he tried his hand as a choreographer and replaced Fokine in this post. Nijinsky was an idol throughout Europe. His dance combined strength and lightness, and he amazed the audience with his breathtaking leaps. It seemed to many that the dancer was freezing in the air. He had a wonderful gift of transformation and extraordinary facial abilities. On stage, Nijinsky emanated powerful magnetism, although in everyday life he was timid and silent. Mental illness prevented the full development of his talent (since 1917 he was under medical supervision).

Nijinska Bronislava Fominichna(1891-1972), Russian dancer and choreographer, sister of Vaslav Nijinsky. She was an artist of Diaghilev's troupe, and from 1921 she was a choreographer. Her productions, modern in theme and choreography, are currently considered classics of ballet art.

Nover Jean Georges(1727-1810), French choreographer and dance theorist. In the famous “Letters on Dance and Ballets” he outlined his views on ballet as an independent performance with a plot and developed action. Nover introduced serious dramatic content into the ballet and established new laws of stage action. Unofficially considered the “father” of modern ballet.

Nureyev Rudolf Khametovich(also Nuriev, 1938-1993), dancer. After graduating from the Leningrad Choreographic School, he became the leading soloist of the ballet troupe of the Opera and Ballet Theater. CM. Kirov. In 1961, while on tour with the theater in Paris, Nureyev asked to be granted political asylum. In 1962, he performed in the London Royal Ballet's "Giselle" in a duet with Margot Fonteyn. Nureyev and Fonteyn are the most famous ballet couple of the 1960s. In the late 1970s, Nureyev turned to modern dance and acted in films. From 1983 to 1989 he was the director of the Paris Opera ballet troupe.

Pavlova Anna Pavlovna(Matveevna, 1881-1931), one of the greatest ballerinas of the twentieth century. Immediately after graduating from the St. Petersburg Theater School, she made her debut on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater, where her talent quickly received recognition. She became a soloist, and in 1906 she was promoted to the highest rank - the rank of prima ballerina. In the same year, Pavlova connected her life with Baron V.E. Dandre. She participated in performances of Diaghilev's Russian Ballet in Paris and London. Pavlova's last performance in Russia took place in 1913, then she settled in England and toured with her own troupe around the world. An outstanding actress, Pavlova was a lyrical ballerina, distinguished by her musicality and psychological content. Her image is usually associated with the image of the dying swan in the ballet number, which was created especially for Pavlova by Mikhail Fokin, one of her first partners. Pavlova's fame is legendary. Her ascetic service to dance aroused worldwide interest in choreography and gave impetus to the revival of foreign ballet theater.

Perrot Jules(1810-1892), French dancer and choreographer of the Romantic era. He was Maria Taglioni's partner at the Paris Opera. In the mid-1830s he met Carlotta Grisi, for whom he staged (together with Jean Coralli) the ballet Giselle, the most famous of the romantic ballets.

Petit Roland(b. 1924), French choreographer. He headed several companies, including the Ballet of Paris, the Roland Petit Ballet and the National Ballet of Marseille. His performances - both romantic and comedic - always bear the imprint of the author’s bright personality.

Petipa Marius(1818-1910), French artist and choreographer, worked in Russia. The greatest choreographer of the second half of the 19th century, he headed the St. Petersburg Imperial Ballet Company, where he staged over 50 performances that became examples of the style of “grand ballet” that emerged in Russia during this era. It was he who proved that composing ballet music does not in the least degrade the dignity of a serious musician. Collaboration with Tchaikovsky became a source of inspiration for Petipa, from which brilliant works were born, and above all “The Sleeping Beauty,” where he reached the heights of perfection.

Plisetskaya Maya Mikhailovna(b. 1925), an outstanding dancer of the second half of the twentieth century, who went down in the history of ballet with her phenomenal creative longevity. Even before graduating from college, Plisetskaya danced solo roles at the Bolshoi Theater. Very quickly becoming famous, she created a unique style - graphic, distinguished by grace, sharpness and completeness of every gesture and pose, every individual movement and choreographic pattern as a whole. The ballerina has the rare talent of a tragic ballet actress, a phenomenal jump, expressive plasticity and a keen sense of rhythm. Her performing style is characterized by technical virtuosity, expressiveness of her hands and a strong acting temperament. Plisetskaya is the first performer of many roles in the Bolshoi Theater ballets. Since 1942 she has been dancing M. Fokine's miniature "The Dying Swan", which has become a symbol of her unique art.

As a choreographer, Plisetskaya staged ballets by R.K. Shchedrin "Anna Karenina", "The Seagull" and "The Lady with the Dog", playing the main roles in them. She starred in many ballet films, as well as feature films as a dramatic actress. She has been awarded many international prizes, including the Anna Pavlova Prize, the French orders of Commander and Legion of Honor. She was awarded the title of Doctor of the Sorbonne. Since 1990, he has performed concert programs abroad and conducted master classes. Since 1994, the international competition “Maya” has been held in St. Petersburg, dedicated to the work of Plisetskaya.

Rubinstein Ida Lvovna(1885-1960), Russian dancer. She took part in “Russian Seasons” abroad, then organized her own troupe. She had expressive appearance and plasticity of gesture. Several ballets were specially written for her, including “Bolero” by M. Ravel.

Salle Marie(1707-1756), French ballerina, performed at the Paris Opera. Rival Marie Camargo. Her dancing style, graceful and full of feeling, differed from Camargo’s technical, virtuoso performance.

Semenova Marina Timofeevna(1908-1998), dancer, teacher. Semyonova’s contribution to the history of Russian ballet theater is extremely great: it was she who made a breakthrough into the unexplored areas of classical ballet. The almost superhuman energy of her movements gave her dance a new dimension and pushed the limits of virtuosic technique. At the same time, she was feminine in every movement, every gesture. Her roles amazed with artistic brilliance, drama and depth.

Spesivtseva Olga Aleksandrovna(1895-1991), Russian dancer. She worked at the Mariinsky Theater and Diaghilev's Russian Ballet. Spesivtseva's dance was distinguished by its sharp graphic poses, perfect lines, and airy lightness. Her heroines, far from the real world, were noted for their exquisite, fragile beauty and spirituality. Her gift was most fully demonstrated in the role of Giselle. The part was built on contrasts and was fundamentally different from the performance of this image by the largest ballerinas of that time. Spesivtseva was the last ballerina of the traditional romantic style. In 1937, she left the stage due to illness.

Taglioni Maria(1804-1884), representative of the Italian ballet dynasty of the 19th century. Under the guidance of her father, Filippo, she studied dance, although her physical characteristics did not quite suit her chosen profession: her arms seemed too long, and some argued that she was stooped. Maria first performed at the Paris Opera in 1827, but achieved success in 1832, when she performed the main role in the ballet La Sylphide staged by her father, which later became a symbol of Taglioni and all romantic ballet. Before Maria Taglioni, pretty ballerinas captivated audiences with their virtuosic dance technique and feminine charm. Taglioni, by no means a beauty, created a new type of ballerina - spiritual and mysterious. In "La Sylphide" she embodied the image of an unearthly creature personifying an ideal, an unattainable dream of beauty. In a flowing white dress, soaring in light leaps and freezing on her fingertips, Taglioni became the first ballerina to use pointe shoes and make them an integral part of classical ballet. All the capitals of Europe admired her. In her old age, Maria Taglioni, lonely and impoverished, taught dance and good manners to the children of London nobles.

Tallchief Maria(b. 1925), outstanding American ballerina. She performed mainly in troupes headed by J. Balanchine. In 1980 she founded the Chicago City Ballet troupe, which she led throughout the years of its existence - until 1987.

Ulanova Galina Sergeevna(1910-1998), Russian ballerina. Her work was characterized by a rare harmony of all means of expression. She imparted spirituality to even a simple, everyday movement. Even at the very beginning of Ulanova’s creative career, critics wrote about the complete unity in her performance of dance technique, dramatic acting and plasticity. Galina Sergeevna performed the main roles in ballets of the traditional repertoire. Her highest achievements were the roles of Mary in The Fountain of Bakhchisarai and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.

Fokin Mikhail Mikhailovich(1880-1942), Russian choreographer and dancer. Overcoming ballet traditions, Fokine sought to get away from the generally accepted ballet costume, stereotypical gestures and routine construction of ballet numbers. He saw ballet technique not as a goal, but as a means of expression. In 1909, Diaghilev invited Fokine to become the choreographer of the Russian Season in Paris. The result of this union was world fame, which accompanied Fokin until the end of his days. He staged more than 70 ballets in the best theaters in Europe and America. Fokine's productions are continued to this day by the world's leading ballet companies.

Fontaine Margot(1919-1991), English prima ballerina, one of the most famous dancers of the twentieth century. She started studying ballet at the age of five. She made her debut in 1934 and quickly attracted attention. Fontaine's performance as Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty made her famous throughout the world. In 1962, Fontaine began a successful partnership with R.H. Nureyev. The performances of this couple became a real triumph of ballet art. Since 1954, Fontaine has been president of the Royal Academy of Dance. Awarded the Order of the British Empire.

Cecchetti Enrico(1850-1928), Italian dancer and outstanding teacher. He developed his own pedagogical method, in which he sought the maximum development of dance technique. He taught at the St. Petersburg Theater School. Among his students were Anna Pavlova, Tamara Karsavina, Mikhail Fokin, Vaslav Nijinsky. His teaching method is outlined in the work “Textbook on the Theory and Practice of Classical Theater Dance.”

Elsler Fanny(1810-1884), Austrian ballerina of the Romantic era. A rival of Taglioni, she had a dramatic, passionate temperament and was a superb actress.

Finally, I would like to quote the words of our outstanding ballerina Maya Plisetskaya, which she said in one of her interviews: “I think that ballet is an art with a great and exciting future. It will certainly live, seek, develop. It will certainly change. But how exactly, in what way?” which direction he will go, it is difficult to predict with complete accuracy. I don’t know. I know one thing: all of us - both performers and choreographers - need to work very hard, seriously, without sparing ourselves. People, their faith in art, their devotion to the theater can do miracles. And what these “miracles” of the ballet of the future will turn out to be will be decided by life itself.”

Today, April 29, is the Day of Dance - a beautiful art, one of the most interesting in the world. His secret lies in his body movements, bright, lively, often showing much more than any words. Miracles of flexibility and the talent to follow exactly the beat of any music - all this characterizes the majestic stars of this genre. It’s impossible not to admire them; they clearly demonstrate that you can express yourself simply by knowing how to move beautifully and artistically. So who are they? Who can be called the best dancers in the world?

Joaquin Cortez

Real name: Joaquin Pedraja Reyes. Born in 1969 in Cordoba, Spain. He is the successor of the artistic gypsy dynasty of the Reyes on his father, who came from the North African gypsies-Kale, called Moors in Spain. The mother is Russian by origin, her ancestors migrated to Spain from Russia. His uncle danced flamenco, and when Joaquin was 12, he also introduced him to this type of choreography. At the age of 15, the dancer performed in the National Ballet of Spain, and 6 years later he took up solo work. In 1992, he organized the dance team “Flamenco Ballet of Joaquin Cortez”, with which he staged a number of amazing numbers, combining fiery flamenco, modern plastic and Spanish vocals. He considers dance a way to live and feel the world. In addition to her dancing career, she promotes the rights of Roma in the world, being their ambassador to the European Union. In 1999, he received the title “UNESCO Artist for Peace” from UNESCO. He also starred in documentaries about flamenco and Spanish melodramas.

Born in Algeria in 1982. At the age of 5, she began to focus on classical dance under the influence of her father, Safi Boutella, a composer and choreographer. When she was 10 years old, the family moved to France, and there the young dancer turned her attention to artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, eventually taking second place at the French Championships and even making the Olympic team.

At the age of 17, she became interested in hip-hop, quickly achieving such success in it that she was called the best b-girl in the whole world. Since 2006, she has become the face of Nike. In addition to advertising, she collaborates with various world-class artists, including Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Mariah Carey and Britney Spears. She worked in Madonna's dance troupe and received an invitation from Michael Jackson, but due to her contract with Madonna she was forced to turn it down, but appeared in the artist's posthumous Hollywood Tonight video. In addition to his dancing career, he acts in films. In particular, she played the main role of the ancient Egyptian queen Ahmanet and, in fact, the mummy in the film of the same name, which will premiere in June of this year.

The most famous b-boy in the world. Born and raised in Germany, but is Italian by nationality. He started dancing at the age of 11. Won 14 high-level dance awards, including B-boy Event, Battle of Honor and MTV Shakedown Dance Contest. In addition, having made 27 revolutions on one hand, he secured a place in the Guinness Book of Records. He is the face of Armani. According to Peruzzi, each new movement he learns fills him with energy and gives him freedom.

A world-class half-dance star, although she started out in ballet. Born in Australia in 1985. Real name: Kim Yoshi. The nickname stands for "flexibility" and "pole". At the age of 17, she left ballet, deciding to become no worse than her mother, who began to practice half-dancing. She studied to be a microbiologist, but dropped out to dance. She won the Australian Championship in 2006 and 2008, and the World Championship in 2009. He is a member of Cirque de Soleil's Zumanity ("circus for adults"). She created many elements for pole dancing, including the “chicken on a spit” trick.

Master of belly dancing and its subspecies - tribal fusion, eclectic, with elements of Asian and African dances. She took up choreography at the age of 16 to get rid of drug addiction. Studied yoga and spiritual disciplines. She was a chiropractor's assistant, after graduating from school she taught yoga courses and worked as a masseuse. I didn’t study belly dancing and tribal fusion anywhere, I learned them by watching performances of famous masters of this genre who performed in North and South Carolina, USA. Since 1992, she has reached the international level, performing with Ultra Gypsy. She created the educational show program The Indigo.

One of the most famous world ballet dancers of the last century. Born in the Urals in 1938, his nationality is half Tatar, half Bashkir. He began dancing when his family moved to Ufa, where he was taught by the St. Petersburg exiled ballerina Anna Udaltsova. In 1955 he was accepted into the Leningrad Choreographic School. His debut took place in the ballet Laurencia, where he performed the role of Frondosso.

In 1961, after a performance in Paris, he became a “defector” - he was removed from the tour “for violating the rules of being abroad,” but he did not want to return to the Soviet Union. Then he toured Europe, receiving Austrian citizenship. He gave 200 and sometimes 300 performances a year. He was a supporter of same-sex love, and died of AIDS in 1993.

Real name - Frederic Austerlitz, is the son of Austrian emigrants who settled in the United States. Born in 1899 in Omaha, Nebraska. A legend of dance art who knows how to combine a variety of styles. He started touring at the age of 9. I staged all my numbers myself, trying to make them unique. He believed that in every dance all movements should seem to be part of an integrated picture, with a climax and a good ending. In addition to dancing, he acted in films, appearing in 31 musical films. Died in 1987.

Born in 1962 in San Fernando, California, USA. Initially, she was a member of the support group of one of the local basketball teams, but soon began to participate in world championships, becoming famous as a choreographer of musical shows and dance numbers for Hollywood films. In addition to dancing, she is known as a producer, singer and jewelry designer.

Master of Irish tap dancing. Born in 1958 in Chicago, he is known specifically for his Irish-style choreography. He was a participant in the show Riverdance, performing at Eurovision 1994 in Ireland. Later he left the show, starting to stage his own numbers. The most famous are Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames and Celtic Tiger. He vowed to dance until his death.

Russian ballet dancer, prima ballerina of the Mariinsky Theater, People's Artist of Russia. Born in 1973 in Kerch, in 1991 she graduated from the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet. Her repertoire includes 29 images - from Ophelia to Anna Karenina. The list of talented dancers cannot be limited to just ten names, but we have named the most outstanding people who have achieved world fame and great success in this art form.

Summer is coming soon! This means that many dancers will go on trips - some to master classes, some to camps, and some abroad. Really, why don’t we learn from the coolest dance stars? It's no secret that many of them are concentrated in the United States, and not only in New York.

Almost every city in the United States has dance centers where star choreographers teach - those who dance in videos of famous performers or stage dance routines for them.

Posted by Millennium Dance Complex (@mdcdance) Mar 15, 2017 at 3:23 am PDT

Los Angeles, Millennium Dance Complex and EDGE Arts Center

Let's start with sunny Los Angeles - the habitat of many stars. The famous Millennium Dance Complex has its own heroines - for example, Selena Gomez, and Kesha, who admire the center and local choreographers on their social networks. Bella Thorn, Yanis Marshall, Kyle Hanagami, Michael Rooney teach here... should I continue?

Address: 1528 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA 91604

Another stellar studio in Los Angeles is EDGE. The choreographer of the film “La La Land”, the legendary Mandy Moore, teaches here. Imagine, you can get to her jazz and contemporary lesson!

Address: 6300 Romaine Street, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Atlanta, Dance 101 studio

Address: 2480 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329.

Miami, Salsa Lovers Dance Studio

The studio is headed by the American salsa legend Rene Gueits, and the teachers of this school have collaborated with Shakira herself more than once. Here they teach not only dancing, but also the ability to create a holiday out of your life. There are parties and various festivals for this.

Address: 1405 SW 107 Avenue, Miami 33174

Las Vegas, The Rock Center for Dance

Literally in the backyard of this school is J.Lo herself. The studio is located next to Planet Hollywood Lopez and hosts master classes from Jennifer Lopez dancers.
Address: 8210 South Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89123.