Anastasia Volochkova life and biography

Anastasia Volochkova is a Russian prima ballerina born in St. Petersburg in 1976. She became famous in 1994 when she graduated with honors from the Russian Academy of Ballet Vaganova.

Once there, she was noticed by the remarkable Russian ballerina and teacher Natalia Mikhailovna Dudinskaya. Being a student of Natalia’s class, Anastasia had successful stage debuts at the Mariinsky and Bolshoi Theatres. During her last term in the Academy she became a probationer in the Mariinsky Theatre and performed parts in the Mistress of Dryads (Don Quixote) and Odette-Odile (Swan Lake).

Her successful debut in Swan Lake and then her subsequent final exam brought her a diploma with honors in 1994 and opened for her the doors of the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint-Petersburg.Anastasia Volochkova performed throughout Europe with the Bolshoi Theatre. During those years she started doing her own solo tours. In the fall of 1998 after accepting the invitation of Natalia Dudinskaya, Anastasia took part in the stage production of Giselle in Tokyo with the New National Ballet troupe. In December 2000 she danced the part of Aurora on the first nights of The Sleeping Beauty with the Bordeaux Ballet (France).

Around the new millenium, Volochkova became one of the most famous celebrities in Russia, and has since been featured in newspapers, magazines and TV shows, such as Ice Age, on a regular basis. In 2003, she got major media attention worldwide, as well, as it was reported that the Bolshoi Ballet had dismissed her for being too heavy and tall.

During the years, Volochkova has also given numerous gala performances and recitals in Moscow, Paris, London, Athens, Lausanne, Tel Aviv, Abu Dhabi, New York and many others. In New York, Volochkova has performed at the Alice Tully Hall of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

As of 2010, Volochkova starred in her first tour of Chile, performing in Santiago, Antofagasta, La Serena, Viña del Mar, Talca, Temuco, Puerto Montt and Concepción. The Tales of Destiny show included fragments and highlights of some of the most famous ballets, including Don Quixote, Giselle and Swan Lake, as well as contemporary choreographies set to music by Nino Rota, Charles Dumont, Ara Gevorgyan and Karl Jenkins. In the show, Volochkova was supported by principal dancers and soloists of both the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Ballets.

With her benefit performances, Volochkova has helped to contribute funds for various causes, especially for Russian children, including children with health problems, orphanages of Saint Petersburg and the Beslan victims.

In September 2001 Anastasia Volochkova got «Petropol Prize » — «For constant search in the field of art and renaissance of ballet concert traditions». In April 2002 Anastasia became laureate of «Benois de la Danse», the prize which is awarded seasonally by international jury for the best work in the field of ballet, that work for Anastasia was a part of Odette-Odile «Swan Lake» staged in Bolshoi Theatre. That year Anastasia Volochkova was also given the rank of Honoured Artist of Russia.

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