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).