Altynai Asylmuratova, Mariinsky Ballet Theatre

Altynai Asylmuratova was born in Alma-Ata (Kazakhstan) in 1961. She graduated from Vaganova Ballet Academy (class of Prof. Inna Zubkovskaya). Joined Mariinsky Theatre in 1978. Became a principal in 1982. In 2000 she was appointed Artistic Director of the Vaganova Academy.

Repertoire includes:
La Sylphide (Sylphide), Giselle (Giselle), The Sleeping Beauty (Aurora, La Fee de Lilac), The Nutcracker (Masha), Swan Lake (Odette-Odile), Raymonda (Raymonda), Don Quixote (Kitri, Street dancer), Le Corsaire (Medora), "Dying Swan", "Paquita" Grand Pas (variation, Principal), The Fountain of Bakhchisarai (Zarema), La Bayadere (Nikia), "Esmeralda" Pas de Six, Pas de Quatre (Fanny Cerrito), Sheherazade (Zobeide), Firebird (Firebird), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), Chopiniana (Valse in C Sharp minor, Mazurka), The Legend of Love (Shyrin, Mekhmeneh Bahnu), Apollo (Terpsichore), Theme and Variations, In the Night (Ist movement), Roland Petit`s Carmen (Carmen), Manon (Manon).

She has toured with the Kirov Ballet and has danced as Principal guest artist with most of the world's leading ballet companies. Including the Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theater and Ballet National de Marseille de Roland Petit.

Awards:
Honored Artist of Russia (1983).
Prizewinner of BALTIKA prize (St Petersburg, 1998).
St Petersburg theatrical prize "Golden sophit" (1999).