Mikhail Baryshnikov

Mikhail Nikolaevitch Baryshnikov (in Russian ?????? ?????????? ??????????) (born January 28, 1948) is a famous Russian-American dancer and actor.

Related Topics:
Russian - January 28 - 1948 - Russia - American - Dancer - Actor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Baryshnikov (whose name is sometimes transliterated as Baryshinikov or Barishinikov) was born in Riga, Latvia ( then-capital of the Latvian SSR) of Russian parents. His father was an engineer and his mother a seamstress.

Related Topics:
Transliterated - Riga - Latvia - Capital - Latvian SSR

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He first entered the Vaganova Ballet Academy at the age of fifteen. Due to his talent, he joined Leningrad's Kirov Ballet in 1966. During Kirov's tour through Canada in 1974, Baryshnikov disappeared for several days, reappearing in the United States, where he applied for political asylum.

Related Topics:
Vaganova Ballet Academy - Leningrad - Kirov Ballet - 1966 - Canada - 1974 - Days - United States - Political asylum

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

From 1974 to 1979, he was principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), though he also danced with ballet and modern dance companies around the world. He then joined the New York City Ballet for fifteen months, working with choreographer George Balanchine. He returned to ABT in 1980 as dancer and artistic director, a position he held for a decade. On July 3, 1986, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States. From 1990 to 2002, Mr. Baryshnikov was artistic director of the White Oak Dance Project, a touring company he co-founded with Mark Morris.

Related Topics:
American Ballet Theatre - Modern dance - New York City Ballet - George Balanchine - July 3 - 1986 - Naturalized citizen - 1990 - 2002 - White Oak Dance Project - Mark Morris

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He was a recipient of Kennedy Center Honors in 2000. As of 2004, he is actively involved in the establishment of the Baryshnikov Arts Center in a new performing arts complex in New York City.

Related Topics:
Kennedy Center Honors - 2000 - As of 2004 - New York City

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~