Irina Vladimirovna Dvorovenko ( uk, Ірина Володимирівна Дворовенко; russian: Ирина Владимировна Дворовенко; born 28 August 1973) is a

Ukrainian-American Ukrainian Americans ( uk, Українські американці, Ukrayins'ki amerykantsi) are Americans who are of Ukrainian ancestry. According to U.S. census estimates, in 2021 there were 1,017,586 Americans of Ukrainian descent represen ...

retired

ballet dancer A ballet dancer ( it, ballerina fem.; ''ballerino'' masc.) is a person who practices the art of classical ballet. Both females and males can practice ballet; however, dancers have a strict hierarchy and strict gender roles. They rely on yea ...

and actress. She was a principal dancer with the

American Ballet Theatre American Ballet Theatre (ABT) is a classical ballet company based in New York City. Founded in 1939 by Lucia Chase and Richard Pleasant, it is recognized as one of the world's leading classical ballet companies. Through 2019, it had an annual ei ...

Early life

Dvorovenko was born in

Kyiv Kyiv, also spelled Kiev, is the capital and most populous city of Ukraine. It is in north-central Ukraine along the Dnieper, Dnieper River. As of 1 January 2021, its population was 2,962,180, making Kyiv the List of European cities by populat ...

Ukraine Ukraine ( uk, Україна, Ukraïna, ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which it borders to the east and northeast. Ukraine covers approximately . Prior to the ongoing Russian inv ...

during the

Soviet period The history of Soviet Russia and the Soviet Union (USSR) reflects a period of change for both Russia and the world. Though the terms "Soviet Russia" and "Soviet Union" often are synonymous in everyday speech (either acknowledging the dominance ...

. Her parents are dancers. She started with gymnastics before entering the Kyiv Ballet School at the age of ten.

Career

Ballet

In 1990, Dvorovenko joined the National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Kyiv as a soloist, and was promoted to principal dancer in 1992. When she was touring with the company, she and her colleagues decided to bring as much food back home as possible. In 1996, Dvorovenko joined the

, and was promoted to soloist the following year. She became a principal dancer in 2000. She had danced many lead roles at the company, including Odette/Odile in ''

Swan Lake ''Swan Lake'' ( rus, Лебеди́ное о́зеро, r=Lebedínoye ózero, p=lʲɪbʲɪˈdʲinəjə ˈozʲɪrə, link=no ), Op. 20, is a ballet composed by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1875–76. Despite its initial failur ...

'', Aurora in '' The Sleeping Beauty'' and Kitri in ''

Don Quixote is a Spanish epic novel by Miguel de Cervantes. Originally published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615, its full title is ''The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha'' or, in Spanish, (changing in Part 2 to ). A founding work of Wester ...

''. In May 2013, Dvorovenko retired from ABT following a performance as Tatiana in '' Onegin'', with

Cory Stearns Paul Cornell "Cory" Stearns (born October 16, 1985) is an American ballet dancer who is a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, one of the three leading classical ballet companies in the United States. Stearns is also a high fashion m ...

as the title role. She planned to perform as a guest artist. Dvorovenko now coaches younger dancers at ABT along with her husband, Maxim Beloserkovsky. Dancers they coached include

Skylar Brandt Skylar Paley Brandt (born January 8, 1993) is an American ballet dancer who is currently a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre. Early life Skylar Brandt was born and raised in Purchase, New York. Her parents are Gary and Barbara ...

, for her debut as the title role in ''

Giselle ''Giselle'' (; ), originally titled ''Giselle, ou les Wilis'' (, ''Giselle, or The Wilis''), is a romantic ballet (" ballet-pantomime") in two acts with music by Adolphe Adam. Considered a masterwork in the classical ballet performance canon, ...

''. She also runs a ballet intensive with Beloserkovsky.

Acting

In May 2013, she made her acting debut as Vera Baronova in the

Encores! Encores! is a Tony-honored concert series dedicated to performing rarely heard American musicals, usually with their original orchestrations. Presented by New York City Center since 1994, Encores! has revived shows by Irving Berlin, Rodgers & Ha ...

production of ''

On Your Toes ''On Your Toes'' (1936) is a musical with a book by Richard Rodgers, George Abbott, and Lorenz Hart, music by Rodgers, and lyrics by Hart. It was adapted into a film in 1939. While teaching music at Knickerbocker University, Phil "Junior" Dol ...

'' at New York City Center. Her performance received positive reviews. In 2015, Dvorovenko starred in

Starz Starz (stylized as STARZ since 2016; pronounced "stars") is an American premium cable and satellite television network owned by Lions Gate Entertainment, and is the flagship property of parent subsidiary Starz Inc. Programming on Starz consist ...

TV series ''

Flesh and Bone Flesh and Bone may refer to: * ''Flesh and Bone'' (film), a 1993 film starring Meg Ryan, Dennis Quaid and James Caan * ''Flesh and Bone'' (miniseries), a 2015 American television series on Starz * "Flesh and Bone" (Battlestar Galactica), an epis ...

'', as Kiira, an aging prima ballerina. The show was choreographed by Dvorovenko's former ABT colleague

Ethan Stiefel Ethan Stiefel (born February 13, 1973) is an American dancer, choreographer, and director. He was a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre (ABT) from 1997 until July 2012. He was the artistic director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet fro ...

. In 2017, Dvorovenko appeared as an recurring character in the fifth season of ''

The Americans ''The Americans'' is an American historical drama, period spy fiction, spy drama television series created by Joe Weisberg that aired on the FX (TV channel), FX television network for six seasons from January 30, 2013, to May 30, 2018. Weisberg ...

''. She played a Soviet émigré, Evgheniya Morozova. In March 2018 Dvorovenko returned to Encores! as Elizaveta Grushinskaya in ''

Grand Hotel A grand hotel is a large and luxurious hotel, especially one housed in a building with traditional architectural style. It began to flourish in the 1800s in Europe and North America. Grand Hotel may refer to: Hotels Africa * Grande Hotel Beir ...

''. She has also appeared in the television series ''Forever'', ''

The Blacklist ''The Blacklist'' is an American crime thriller television series that premiered on NBC on September 23, 2013. The show follows Raymond "Red" Reddington (James Spader), a former U.S. Navy officer turned high-profile criminal who voluntarily sur ...

'' and ''

Power Power most often refers to: * Power (physics), meaning "rate of doing work" ** Engine power, the power put out by an engine ** Electric power * Power (social and political), the ability to influence people or events ** Abusive power Power may a ...

''.

Personal life

Dvorovenko is married to Maxim Beloserkovsky, a fellow ABT principal dancer. They have a daughter, Emma Galina, born in 2005. Dvorovenko is a naturalised American citizen.

Selected repertoire

*Terpsichore and Polyhymnia in ''

Apollo Apollo, grc, Ἀπόλλωνος, Apóllōnos, label=genitive , ; , grc-dor, Ἀπέλλων, Apéllōn, ; grc, Ἀπείλων, Apeílōn, label=Arcadocypriot Greek, ; grc-aeo, Ἄπλουν, Áploun, la, Apollō, la, Apollinis, label= ...

'' *Mathilda Kchessinska and the Tsarina in ''

Anastasia Anastasia (from el, Ἀναστασία, translit=Anastasía) is a feminine given name of Greek origin, derived from the Greek word (), meaning "resurrection". It is a popular name in Eastern Europe, particularly in Russia, where it was the most ...

'' *Nikiya and Gamzatti in ''

La Bayadère ''La Bayadère'' ("the temple dancer") ( ru. «Баядерка», ''Bayaderka'') is a ballet, originally staged in four acts and seven tableaux by French choreographer Marius Petipa to the music of Ludwig Minkus. The ballet was staged especiall ...

'' *The title role in ''

Cinderella "Cinderella",; french: link=no, Cendrillon; german: link=no, Aschenputtel) or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a folk tale with thousands of variants throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsi ...

'' *Swanilda in ''

Coppélia ''Coppélia'' (sometimes subtitled: ''La Fille aux Yeux d'Émail'' (The Girl with the Enamel Eyes)) is a comic ballet from 1870 originally choreographed by Arthur Saint-Léon to the music of Léo Delibes, with libretto by Charles-Louis-Éti ...

'' *Medora in '' Le Corsaire'' *Kitri and Mercedes in ''

'' *Giselle, Myrtha and the peasant pas de deux in ''

'' *Hanna Glawari and Valencienne in ''

The Merry Widow ''The Merry Widow'' (german: Die lustige Witwe, links=no ) is an operetta by the Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Lehár. The librettists, Viktor Léon and Leo Stein, based the story – concerning a rich widow, and her countrymen's attempt t ...

'' *The Sugar Plum Fairy in ''

The Nutcracker ''The Nutcracker'' ( rus, Щелкунчик, Shchelkunchik, links=no ) is an 1892 two-act ballet (""; russian: балет-феерия, link=no, ), originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaiko ...

'' *Tatiana in '' Onegin'' *The ''

Paquita ''Paquita'' is a ballet in two acts and three scenes originally choreographed by Joseph Mazilier to music by Édouard Deldevez and Ludwig Minkus. Paul Foucher received royalties as librettist. History ''Paquita'' is the creation of French compo ...

'' pas de deux *The title role in ''

Raymonda ''Raymonda'' (russian: Раймонда) is a ballet in three acts, four scenes with an apotheosis, choreographed by Marius Petipa to music by Alexander Glazunov, his Opus 57. It was first presented by the Imperial Ballet at the Imperial Mariinsky ...

'' *Juliet in ''

Romeo and Juliet ''Romeo and Juliet'' is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about the romance between two Italian youths from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetim ...

'' *The Lilac Fairy and Princess Florine in '' The Sleeping Beauty'' *Odette-Odile in ''

'' *The first and second movements in '' Symphony in C'' *The '' Sylvia'' Pas de Deux *''

Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux ''Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux'' is a ballet choreographed by George Balanchine to a composition by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky originally intended for act 3 of ''Swan Lake'' (Op. 20, 1875–76). With costumes by Barbara Karinska and lighting by Jack Owe ...

'' *Leading roles in '' Études'' *''Petite Mort'' *''

Les Sylphides ''Les Sylphides'' () is a short, non-narrative ''ballet blanc'' to piano music by Frédéric Chopin, selected and orchestrated by Alexander Glazunov. The ballet, described as a "romantic reverie","Ballet Theater", until 1955. A compact disk ...

Created roles

*''The Brahms/Haydn Variations''

Awards

*Diploma and the Grand Prix in the Junior Division of the Ukraine Ballet Competition, 1987 *Diploma in the Junior Division of the Moscow Ballet Competition, 1988 *Silver Medal at the Jackson International Ballet Competition, 1990 *Bronze Medal at the International Ballet Competition in Osaka, Japan, 1991 *Gold Medal and the "Anna Pavlova" Prize at the International Ballet Competition in Moscow, 1992 *The Grand Prix at the International Ballet Competition Serge Lifar in the Ukraine, 1994 Source:

References

External links

* *
Звонкий голос балета, или Как сказал Петипа сто лет назад. Интервью с балериной Ириной Дворовенко.
Беседовала Александра Свиридова {{DEFAULTSORT:Dvorovenko, Irina 1973 births Living people Dancers from Kyiv Ukrainian ballerinas American Ballet Theatre principal dancers 21st-century Ukrainian actresses Ukrainian emigrants to the United States 21st-century ballet dancers 21st-century American dancers Prima ballerinas Naturalized citizens of the United States