5 Russia's most FAMOUS modern ballerinas

1. Svetlana Zakharova

At 45, Zakharova is still the absolute champion among Russian ballerinas. A true star of the modern stage, she has been successfully dancing at Moscow's Bolshoi Theater for more than 20 years and has performed all the most important roles. 

At various times, the ballerina soloed at Milan’s La Scala and other theaters around the world. It was on tour when their relationship with her future husband, famous violinist Vadim Repin, began. Svetlana and Vadim have a daughter, Anna, who did not follow in her mother's footsteps, but is, instead, engaged in rhythmic gymnastics.

2. Diana Vishneva

Vishneva is a unique example of how a world star of classical ballet and a long-time prima of the Mariinsky Theater and a soloist with the American Ballet Theater could simultaneously reach incredible heights in contemporary dance. She is equally good in the lead roles in both ‘Swan Lake’ and Maurice Béjart's ‘Bolero’. More than 10 years ago, Vishneva created her own festival of contemporary choreography, called 'Context', which attracts young dancers and choreographers from all over the world. 

Diana is married to her producer Konstantin Selinevich and the couple has a son named Rudolf-Viktor.

3. Evgenia Obraztsova

A hereditary ballerina and native of St. Petersburg, Obraztsova graduated from the Vaganova Academy and began her career at the Mariinsky Theater. But, for more than 10 years, Obraztsova has been a prima ballerina at the Bolshoi Theater. She is an ‘Honored Artist of the Russian Federation’ and can be seen in leading roles in ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Coppelia’, ‘La Sylphide’ and other productions. 

Obraztsova has been interested in drama since childhood and is trying herself in movies: In 2018, she played the lead role in the movie ‘A Frenchman’ by Andrei Smirnov. Evgenia is married to sculptor Andrei Korobtsov and is raising twin daughters Sofia and Anastasia. On her YouTube channel, she shares her own ballet methodology, lessons and training.

4. Elizaveta Kokoreva

The 25-year-old Kokoreva is an example of rapid career growth. Already in her first year at the Moscow Academy of Choreography, the dancer won major international competitions. After graduation, she was immediately accepted into the Bolshoi Ballet Company, where she became a prima at the age of 22. Today, she performs principal roles in ‘The Nutcracker’, ‘Giselle’, ‘La Bayadere’ and other iconic productions. 

Elizabeth also actively shares her personal life and ballet backstage on various social networks.

5. Viktoria Tereshkina

Tereshkina is a Siberian gem from Krasnoyarsk, whose parents saw a future star in her. Her father, director of the Valery Tereshkin Free Ballet, dreamed of his daughter once becoming a ballerina. Therefore, the girl was sent to the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, from which she graduated in 2001. After that, she was accepted into the Mariinsky Theater company, where, today, she is a prima ballerina. 

Tereshkina's most important roles are in the ballets ‘Ondine’, ‘Giselle’, ‘The Sleeping Beauty’, ‘The Humpbacked Horse’ and, of course, ‘Swan Lake’. Today, the 41-year-old ballerina is at the peak of her form and many consider her performances in the roles of Odette-Odile (‘Swan Lake’) and Nikiya (‘La Bayadère’) to be the benchmark. 

Viktoria is married to former ballet dancer Artem Shpilevsky. He was a star of ballet theaters in Seoul and Berlin, danced at the Bolshoi, but, for the sake of his family, returned to St. Petersburg. The couple has a daughter named Milada.