Principal Dancer
Mikhail Baryshnikov is the preeminent classical dancer of the late twentieth century whose defection from the Soviet Union in 1974 and subsequent mastery of both classical and contemporary ballet redefined the possibilities of male dancing on the world stage.
Defining moments and milestones
Mikhail Baryshnikov emerged from Soviet ballet as a virtuoso of unparalleled technical command and interpretive nuance, trained in the rigorous Vaganova tradition under the tutelage of Aleksandr Pushkin. His 1974 defection to the West catapulted him to international stardom, where he became the first male dancer to command equal billing with prima ballerinas and to move fluidly between classical repertoire and avant-garde contemporary work. Over five decades, he has redefined the male dancer's role through collaborations with Balanchine, Robbins, and Forsythe, while simultaneously building a legacy as a visionary director, choreographer, and cultural entrepreneur through institutions like American Ballet Theatre and the White Oak Dance Project.
Kennedy Center Honors (2000) for lifetime achievement in dance; Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for *The Turning Point* (1977)
Riga Opera Ballet School (1960); Vaganova Ballet School, Leningrad (1964–1967)
Recordings featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov in the Society index
Additional recordings will appear here as the catalog expands.