Oleg Vinogradov
Founding Artistic Director

Born in Leningrad in 1937, Oleg Vinogradov graduated from the Vaganova Ballet Academy where he and classmate Rudolf Nureyev studied under Alexander Pushkin. Vinogradov commenced his career at the Novosobirsk Theatre of Opera and Ballet, becoming ballet master in 1961, and soon thereafter began his career in choreography. In 1972, Vinogradov became Director of the Maly Theatre of Opera and Ballet, leaving in 1977 to become artistic director of The Kirov Ballet (now the Marynsky).

His choreographic accomplishments include, "Yaroslavna", "The Inspector General", "The Spellbound Prince", "The Knight in the Tiger's Skin", "Potemkin" and most recently a new "Petrushka". At the Kirov, Vinogradov has played a significant role in preserving the ballets of the Russian classical legacy and in promoting innovation and cultural exchange with the West. Vinogradov has introduced the choreography of Bejart, Bournonville, and Petit to Russian audiences.

Vinogradov has received numerous awards and honors, from both his own government and countries around the world, for his achievement in choreography. He has been Artistic Director of the Kirov Academy since 1990.