Ballet Dancer. She trained at the Imperial Theatre School in St Petersburg, a student of Vazem, Pavel, Ivanov, Gerdt and Nikolai Legat and later studied with Preobrajenska. She graduated in 1897 and joined the Maryinsky Theatre, but the considerable technique she possessed she wasn't promoted to ballerina status until 1915 and it certainly didn't help her career that she was dancing the same time as some of the greatest dancers in history, Pavlova, Karsavina, Kschessinska and Preobrajenska, lacking their influence in high places although described by one critic as 'the queen of variations'. Vaganova achieved fame as one of the most important teachers in ballet history, teaching students like Ulanova, Volkova, Dudinskaya and Kolpakova. A woman of great analytical ability, she developed her own teaching system which carries her name. It is now used as the basis of training in both Russia and the West. It took elements from the French school, athletic Italian school and the dramatic, soulfulness of the Russian character. From 1917-1951 she taught at the Kirov and was artistic director from 1931-1937. She encouraged the first productions of 'Flames of Paris', 'Fountain of Bakhchisarai' and herself staged new productions of 'Swan Lake'. In 1957 the St Petersburg Ballet School was renamed the Vaganova Institute in her honor.
Ballet Dancer. She trained at the Imperial Theatre School in St Petersburg, a student of Vazem, Pavel, Ivanov, Gerdt and Nikolai Legat and later studied with Preobrajenska. She graduated in 1897 and joined the Maryinsky Theatre, but the considerable technique she possessed she wasn't promoted to ballerina status until 1915 and it certainly didn't help her career that she was dancing the same time as some of the greatest dancers in history, Pavlova, Karsavina, Kschessinska and Preobrajenska, lacking their influence in high places although described by one critic as 'the queen of variations'. Vaganova achieved fame as one of the most important teachers in ballet history, teaching students like Ulanova, Volkova, Dudinskaya and Kolpakova. A woman of great analytical ability, she developed her own teaching system which carries her name. It is now used as the basis of training in both Russia and the West. It took elements from the French school, athletic Italian school and the dramatic, soulfulness of the Russian character. From 1917-1951 she taught at the Kirov and was artistic director from 1931-1937. She encouraged the first productions of 'Flames of Paris', 'Fountain of Bakhchisarai' and herself staged new productions of 'Swan Lake'. In 1957 the St Petersburg Ballet School was renamed the Vaganova Institute in her honor.
Bio by: Medora
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