Best Principal

Gelsey Kirkland was a celebrated American ballerina of the 20th century. She gained significant recognition for her powerful interpretations of classical roles, particularly Odette in *Swan Lake*, while performing with the American Ballet Theatre. Her performances were noted for their technical prec...

Carlos Acosta is a celebrated dancer recognized globally for his exceptional talent and dynamic performance style. Born in Cuba, he rose to prominence as a principal with both the Royal Ballet and Miami City Ballet, showcasing remarkable athleticism and profound emotional depth within ballet and con...

Vladimir Vasiliev was a celebrated Soviet-era ballet dancer primarily associated with the Bolshoi Theatre. He achieved principal status and is recognized for his exceptional technical skill and profound artistry within classical repertoire including *Onegin* and *Swan Lake*. His performances are stu...

Suzanne Farrell was an American ballet dancer and choreographer whose career significantly shaped American dance. She is best known for her close collaboration with George Balanchine, creating a unique style within the Théâtre des Arts Ballet. Farrell’s interpretations of Balanchine's works were hig...

Ulyana Lopatkina is a prominent Russian ballet dancer recognized for her technical skill and artistry. She has performed as principal with the Mariinsky Theatre, frequently taking on demanding roles in classic works such as *Swan Lake* and *Sleeping Beauty*. Her career builds upon the established le...

Darcey Bussell is a celebrated British ballet dancer recognized for her extraordinary technical precision and artistry during her tenure as principal ballerina with The Royal Ballet (1987-2001). She achieved international acclaim performing leading roles such as Odette/Odile in *Swan Lake*. Her care...

Julio Bocca was a principal Argentine ballet dancer renowned for his deeply felt performances. He achieved particular acclaim interpreting demanding classical roles like Albrecht in *Swan Lake*. His work focused on expressive technique and contributed to renewed interest in French ballet traditions....

Lynn Seymour is a former principal dancer recognized globally for her extraordinary skill in classical ballet. Her performances with the Royal Ballet showcased unparalleled technical precision, especially her dynamic fouetté turns and graceful arm movements. Primarily known for her contributions to...

Alina Cojocaru is a Romanian principal ballerina with The Royal Ballet, celebrated for her exquisite grace and artistry. Her performances are characterized by their musicality and nuanced interpretations of classical roles. Cojocarus ability to convey emotion through subtle movements makes her a ca...

Manuel Legris is a distinguished French dancer known for his exceptional skill in ballet. He previously served as étoile danseur at the Paris Opera Ballet, performing principal roles in iconic works such as *Swan Lake* and *Giselle*. His performances were noted for both technical precision and profo...

Fernando Bujones was a principal dancer primarily associated with the San Francisco Ballet. His career, spanning nearly three decades, is notable for his remarkable technical proficiency and artistry within classical ballet. Bujones’s contributions were particularly significant for male dancers and...

Roberto Bolle is a celebrated Italian dancer renowned for his exceptional skill and artistry within classical ballet. His long career, marked by principal roles at La Scala and the Paris Opera Ballet, established him as a significant figure in contemporary ballet performance. He continues to perform...

David Hallberg is an American principal dancer known for his exceptional technical skill and artistry. His career has been marked by resilience, overcoming significant injuries to return to the stage with renewed passion. Hallbergs performances are characterized by their grace, musicality, and emot...

Edward Watson is a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, recognized internationally for his exceptional skill and artistry within ballet. His interpretations of classical roles like Albrecht in *Swan Lake* are celebrated for their technical precision and emotional depth. He performs predominantly...

Aurélie Dupont is a principal dancer recognized for her exceptional artistry within ballet. Her performances, particularly as Odette/Odile in *Swan Lake*, are highly regarded for their technical precision and profound emotional depth. She represents a significant figure in French ballet history and...

Yuan Yuan Tan is a principal dancer with the San Francisco Ballet. She is notable for her exceptional technical skill and expressive artistry within both classical ballet works like *Swan Lake* and contemporary pieces. Her performances are appreciated by audiences interested in ballet and particular...

Marcelo Gomes is a renowned Brazilian ballet dancer recognized globally for his exceptional artistry. He has served as Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre since 2006, distinguished by his refined technique and expressive performances within both classical and contemporary works. His ca...

Wendy Whelan is an acclaimed American dancer recognized globally for her exceptional artistry and technical skill. She achieved prominence as a principal ballerina with both the New York City Ballet and the Martha Graham Dance Company, pushing boundaries in ballet and contemporary dance. Her work re...

Tiler Peck is an acclaimed American ballet dancer recognized globally for her remarkable agility and powerful stage presence. Primarily associated with New York City Ballet as a principal artist, she performs demanding roles in both classical and contemporary ballet. Her skill and athleticism make h...

Sergei Polunins raw, emotionally charged performances have redefined male ballet. His technical brilliance is matched by his willingness to explore darker themes and challenge traditional notions of masculinity in dance. His controversial departure from the Royal Ballet initially sparked debate but...

Viktoria Tereshkina is a principal ballerina at the Mariinsky Theatre, recognized for her exceptional skill within Russian ballet. Her performances, particularly as Odette/Odile, demonstrate both technical mastery and nuanced interpretation. She is primarily appreciated by audiences and critics inte...

Sara Mearns is an American dancer primarily known for her work with New York City Ballet. Her performances frequently showcase a distinctive approach blending classical ballet technique with contemporary movement. She is particularly noted for complex, physically rigorous choreography and contribute...

Gillian Murphy is a highly respected American dancer known for her exceptional skill and artistry within ballet. She spent two decades as a principal dancer with the San Francisco Ballet, earning international acclaim for her performances of both classical and contemporary works. Her career now focu...

Megan Fairchild is a principal dancer with New York City Ballet, recognized for her exceptional artistry and technical precision across a diverse repertoire including roles in Balanchine’s *Serenade* and *Jewels*.

Yasmine Naghdai is a British ballerina currently principal dancer with The Royal Ballet, renowned for her technically brilliant and emotionally expressive performances in leading roles like Odette/Odile in *Swan Lake*.

Marcelino Sambé (1890-1939) was a Spanish dancer who achieved unprecedented success as the first Black performer to dance principal roles with the Paris Opera Ballet, notably in *La Sylphide* and *Esengawa*, breaking significant racial barriers within classical ballet.

James Whiteside is a celebrated American ballet dancer renowned for his exceptional versatility and technical prowess, particularly within contemporary and neoclassical works with companies like Alonzo Dance Arts and Morphoses.

Friedemann Vogel is a German former principal dancer renowned for his long and distinguished career with the Stuttgart Ballet, where he performed leading roles in classics like *Swan Lake* and *Götterdämmerung* over two decades.

Maria Khoreva is a renowned Russian ballerina celebrated for her technically brilliant and emotionally expressive performances as Odette/Odile in *Swan Lake*, particularly recognized for her exceptional fouetté turns and elegant port de bras.