Yuri Smekalov Soloist of the Mariinsky Theater Dance Open: 2011, 2013

In 1998, he graduated from the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet (class of Konstantin Shatilov) and joined the St. Petersburg Boris Eifman State Ballet Company. Then joined the Mariinsky Ballet in 2009. Prize-winner at the XI International Ballet Dancers» and Choreographers » Competition, in Choreography category (1 st prize, Moscow, 2009). Recipient of the Golden Mask prize, Russia’s most prestigious theater award (for main role in the ballet by Angelin Preljocaj «Le Parc»). Laureate of St. Petersburg’s theater prize the Golden Sofit (The Best Male Role in Ballet category, 2011). Prize-winner at the VII International Competition of Choreographers and Ballet Masters under the patronage of the International Dance Council CID-UNESCO (1 st prize in category Ballet Video, Novossibirsk, 2012).

Daniil Simkin Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre Dance Open: 2010, 2015, 2019 Dance Open Award: People's choice Award 2010

Born in Novossibirsk, Russia to a ballet family. Parents left for the West when he was only 3 and, after several international engagements, settled in Wiesbaden, Germany, where Mr. Simkin first appeared onstage. From the age of 6 he often appeared onstage alongside his father Dmitrij Simkin, at 10 he began his training under the direction of his mother, Olga Aleksandrova. At 12, he began participating in ballet competitions around the world. He joined the ballet company of the Vienna State Opera in 2006, changed for the American Ballet Theater as a Soloist in October 2008, and became a Principal Dancer in 2012. Ballet critics point out Daniil Simkin’s silent flying leaps, excellent pace, legs easily opened in a split and steady stable spins with a rare capability to stop standing on one foot after a pirouette.

Polina Semionova Principal Dancer with the Staatsballet Berlin Dance Open: 2010Dance Open Award: Miss Expressivity 2010

Polina Semionova was born in Moscow. She studied at the Bolshoi Ballet School in Moscow. She graduated in 2002 and joined the Berlin Staatsoper Ballet as a principal when she was only 18 years old. She showed her outstanding talent by winning several international ballet competition awards. Prize-winner at international ballet competitions, included Vaganovaprix (St. Petersburg, 2002) and International Ballet Competition (Moscow, 2001). Polina has guested at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, Stuttgart Ballet, Tokyo Ballet in Japan, the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, English National Ballet in London, the Zurich Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet and La Scala in Milan in addition to appearances at international galas.

Leonid Sarafanov Principal Dancer of the Mikhailovsky Theater Dance Open: 2015, 2018

Graduated from the Kiev State Ballet School in 2000, the same year became a soloist with National Ballet of Ukraine. After he won at the IX International Ballet Dancers Competition in Moscow (2001) he was invited to work at the Bolshoi Theater and Royal Ballet, but decided to join the Mariinsky ballet company, where he danced for 10 years before leaving to the Mikhailovsky Theater. Leonid Sarafanov is not only hereditary, but also a natural born dancer. His repertoire includes all classical ballet parts. His “princes” have their own lustrous personalities, combined with the precise technique: “To give the princes life, and to arise fresh feelings, you need to forget them a bit, and dance something completely different. It gives new energy, allows to find something unexpected even in “Swan Lake”, — says Leonid.