Most people outside the ballet world have an opinion about ballet after watching movies like Black Swan with Natalie Portman. I would say it's a pretty dark vision of ballet, potentially realistic but undoubtedly limited.

As a professional ballet dancer, I thought it would be interesting to show you from the inside, a true portrait of this art life, closer to reality, than the illusions or filmmaker's fantasy.

Is there a toxic atmosphere in ballet or positive competition ?

The Bolshoi Ballet and The Mariinsky Ballet are two very powerful theaters with old history and traditions, which make them still the most famous in the world.

Today i want to share with you my vision on the situation as a ballet dancer from The Mariinsky Theater, who sometimes also dances on the Bolshoi Stage.

As people love to compare them, i will try to compare them not to chose which one is the best (because i believe it's a question that will never be resolved) but more basing myself on the facts.

HOW DIFFERENT ARE THEY ?

Moscow being the capital of Russia is a cultural city, and if we talk about culture in Russia, it can't exist without ballet.

Ballet is still very well respected and admired, a little bit like football in England.

Discover today the most famous ballet in Moscow.

My dream to work at The Mariinsky Theater came naturally, since I loved the Kirov's ballerinas, their style, manners, purity and beauty. My first trip to Saint Petersburg confirmed that my soul here felt at home, a strange feeling.

I decide to share with you today what I consider to be Saint Petersburg's unique footprint, these specifics and unique ballets that are linked to this theater ; they can be exclusive to our theater repertoire, or they originate from this theater.

I want to share with you today my experience, and why I believe having a mentor in general is not only the most beautiful gift you can receive, but also the true key to success.

Baryshnikov always inspired me. I admire in him, the ability to dance so easily, as if it didn’t cost any power or struggle, and also to dance everything so brightly. If a dancer is great, he/she is great at everything.

So what about this division in Russian Ballet about Character and Classical Dance ?

First year in a ballet company, what is it like ?

INSIDE a ballerina life.

The best advices to become a ballet dancer

from student to professional

The incredible life of a ballerina.

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO BECOME A BALLERINA ?

The must know before starting this profession.