Mikhail Baryshnikov: A Dancer's Journey
Born in Riga, Latvia, Mikhail Baryshnikov began his ballet studies at a young age. He was accepted into the Leningrad Choreographic School, the associate school of the Kirov Ballet, where he was trained by instructors such as Alexander Pushkin, who had also taught Rudolf Nureyev.
At the school, Baryshnikov befriended fellow dancers Alexander Godunov and Natalia Makarova, who would later become renowned ballerinas. He was so talented that he skipped the corps and was immediately promoted to a soloist position.
However, despite his success in Russia, Baryshnikov felt limited by the government's strict control over the dance world. He decided to defect, joining the National Ballet of Canada before eventually becoming a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre.
It was during his time with the ABT that Baryshnikov met his future partner, Gelsey Kirkland, with whom he would go on to create a legendary partnership, including a famous production of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker".
In 1977, Baryshnikov made his film debut in the movie "The Turning Point", playing the role of a superstar ballet defector from Russia. The film was nominated for 11 Oscars, including one for Baryshnikov.
Throughout his career, Baryshnikov has idolized George Balanchine, the great choreographer and ballet master of the early 20th century. He even became a student of Balanchine, learning his choreography styles and taking a sabbatical from the ABT.
Baryshnikov has danced with numerous companies, including the New York City Ballet, and has received numerous awards, including a lifetime achievement award at the Kennedy Center Honor Awards. He continues to dance, model, and act, both in film and in the theater, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest male dancers of the 20th century.
