Kolton

Alexandra Koltun graduated in 1989 from the eight-year program at the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St.Petersburg, Russia. Studying under such notable mentors as Natalia Dudinskaya and Ludmila Morkovina, she received her diploma with highest honors. Upon graduation, Alexandra joined the legendary Kirov Ballet and was immediately recognized as an especially gifted young dancer by the company and Irina Kolpakova. Alexandra was given the unique opportunity to learn the classical repertoires directly from Ms. Kolpakova. At the Kirov, Alexandra appeared in many lead roles in which she was partnered by various stars of the company, such as Farukh Ruzimatov and Igor Zelensky. Alexandra performed in major productions in Russia and also toured throughout Europe, Japan, Korea and United States. After defecting from the Kirov Ballet in 1991, Alexandra relocated to the United States where she obtained her citizenship. Alexandra began her career in America as a guest artist for the New Jersey Ballet and the Colorado Ballet. In 1992, she was invited to join Boston Ballet as a soloist; and she was promoted to principal dancer in 1994. Under the directorship of Bruce Marks, Alexandra's career flourished. Not only did she star in a wide range of full length classical ballet including "Swan Lake," "Giselle," " La Bayadere," " Don Quixote," and " Sleeping Beauty," she also excelled in the contemporary choreography. Alexandra was involved in creations of Christopher Wheeldon's "Fire Bird" and "Four Seasons", and collaborated with Mark Morris, Twyla Tharp, Daniel Pelzig and Eliot Feld. In Balanchine's "Apollo," Alexandra was partnered by famous ballet star Fernando Bujones.

In 1995 - 1996, she performed as a principal dancer with Deutsche Opera am Rhein Düsseldorf and appeared at the Bavarian State Theater in Munich as a guest artist. During this time, Alexandra worked under the tutelage of Hienz Spoerly and Konstanzia Vernon. Upon her return to the U.S., Alexandra worked with Suzan Farrell for the upcoming season of Ms. Farrell's company at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Alexandra enjoyed several appearances at the Joyce Theater in New York City for Margo

Sappington's "The Daring Project". In 1998, Alexandra traveled to China with American Ballet Stars and received outstanding critical acclaim. She returned to Boston Ballet under Anna Marie Holmes's directorship and continued her career as a principle dancer and was coached by Tatiana Terekhova and Sergei Berejnoi. In 1999, Ms. Koltun toured Russia, Lithuania and Ukraine with the San Francisco Ballet and participated in Gala des Etoiles in Montreal, Vienna and Athens. From the period 2001-2005, Alexandra performed as a guest artist for the Dallas Fort Worth Ballet in it's production of "Swan Lake", appeared in the International Ballet Stars Gala throughout the Netherlands and Belgium, and was a permanent guest artist for Ballet San Jose in California. Alexandra also had the honor of collaborating with Danish choreographer Flemming Flindt, on his acclaimed productions of "The Red Shoes" and "Miraculous Mandarin." Ms.Koltun was awarded the Bronze Medal in 1994 at the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi and danced the Gold Medal winning performance at the Boston International Choreography Competition.

Alexandra has been featured in many interviews and articles in Dance Magazine, Boston Magazine and other publications. She has received critical acclaim from The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, The San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, and Denver Post among other publications. Alexandra has also appeared on local television stations in Massachusetts, Colorado and California, as well as in documentaries for Reuters, Germany on her own career, for PBS on Suzanne Farrell, and for the Kirov Ballet in Copenhagen, Denmark. Over the course of the last decade Alexandra has pursued her passion for teaching in many schools throughout the U.S. and abroad, including New York City Ballet's summer program in Saratoga Springs, NY. Alexandra is looking forward to the opportunity to share her love of dance and impart her knowledge to the world's next generation of dancers. Alexandra is currently teaching full time at Miami City Ballet School.