Russian ballerina From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Galina Olegovna Stepanenko (Russian: Галина Олеговна Степаненко; born 12 June 1966) is a Russian ballet teacher. She is a former prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Ballet, and since 2013 has been head of the Bolshoi's ballet troupe.
Born in Moscow on 12 June 1966, Stepanenko studied rhythmic gymnastics, studying to the first grade and receiving an invitation to the Olympic Reserve School.[1][2][3] In 1976 she entered the Moscow Academic Choreographic School, studying under Professor Sofia Golovkina, and graduating with honours in 1984.[1] During her studies she danced several main roles in the school's performances: as Swanhilda in Coppélia, Lise in La fille mal gardée, and the soloist in the Paquita grand pas classique.[1][2]
In 1992 Stepanenko graduated from the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts, having taken the course of Marina Semyonova, and received the specialty of a teacher-choreographer.[1][2] In December 2012 Stepanenko retired from dancing and became a teacher-coach for the Bolshoi Ballet.[1] On 22 January 2013 she became acting artistic director of the ballet troupe, and since autumn 2013 she has been head of the Bolshoi's ballet troupe.[1][3]
1995 - Prize of the International Association of Choreographers Prix Benois de la Danse for the performance of the part of Kitri in the ballet Don Quixote[2]
1995 - Prize "Etoile" from the magazine "Danza & Danza" (Bolzano, Italy)[3]
