Edouard Kouchnarev

(Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer)

Edouard began his dance career at age 10 with the Kiev State Ballet Academy in Kiev, Ukraine. Director Irina Yakimova singled him out for the lead role of a young boy in the ballet Malchish-Kibalchish. It was the renowned choreographer of Malchish-Kibalchish, Varvara Mey, who then fully recognized Edouard’s talent. Mey had been a student of Agrippina Vaganova and was a former prima ballerina, ballet instructor and author who danced with the Kirov Ballet for many years and went on to teach many of Russian ballet’s biggest stars at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet.

After graduating from the Kiev State Ballet Academy, where he studied under ballet greats such as Vladimir Denisenko, Vladimir Shtefan, Valery Kovtun, Irina Bulatova and others, Edouard joined the Vronski Kiev Classical Ballet Company as a soloist at age 18. He also danced as a soloist for the Ukrainian State Theater of Classical Ballet, Kiev Jewish Theater, and Ballet Ciudad Dance Company in Barcelona, Spain. He joined Brighton Ballet Theater in 1995 as a dancer, followed by teaching dance as well as producing and choreographing dances. He has produced numerous performances, including children’s ballets such as Aria, Sunrise, Ugly Duckling and others. His travels around the world inspired Edouard to create Brighton Ballet Theater’s own version of The Nutcracker, transforming the classic tale from a fantasy of sweets to a celebration of international culture and dance. In 2012, he was invited to feature his work at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Edouard teaches in the Pre-professional (Advanced) Division for students ages 6-18 years-old at Brighton Ballet Theater, where he is known for his particular talent in working with young people and creating original choreography for them. All students must go through an audition process in order to participate in Edouard’s classes. Edouard has both a superb grounding in the fundamentals of technique and a keen ability to nurture the artistry and ability required for the highest levels of dance.