Oksana Skorik (Ukrainian: Оксана Скорик, born April 20, 1989) is a professional ballet dancer from Kharkiv, Ukraine and Principal Dancer of the Mariinsky Ballet. She joined the Mariinsky Ballet in 2007 after graduating from the Perm School of Dance in Russia. She was the subject of David Kinsella's documentary A Beautiful Tragedy and was featured on RT Documentary's Ballet, Sweat and Tears.

Oksana Skorik
Born (1989-04-20) April 20, 1989 (age 35)
Kharkiv, Soviet Union
OccupationBallet dancer
Years active2007-Present
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Career
Current groupMariinsky Ballet
DancesLa Sylphide, Giselle, La Bayadère, The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Raymonda, The Nutcracker, Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, Grand Pas Classique, Chopiniana, The Legend of Love, Carmen, Ondine
WebsiteMariinsky Ballet - Oksana Skorik

Early life

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Skorik was born in Kharkiv, Soviet Union on April 20, 1989. It was decided by her mother that she was going to be a ballet dancer ever since she was born, and the day after her 5th birthday, her mother took her to Perm School of Dance where she would attend ballet classes and board every year until her graduation at the age of 18. During her time in Perm School of Dance, Skorik suffered from anorexia due to the harsh comments of teachers and staff of the school, who would often compare students with each other.[1] In 2008, A Beautiful Tragedy, a documentary directed by David Kinsella focused on 15-year-old Oksana's journey through ballet school and her battle with anorexia. The documentary followed her during one year (2004-2005) and expressed her innermost feelings about ballet and her relationship with food.[1]

On February 26, 2019 Oksana gave birth to a son named Ostap.

Mariinsky Ballet

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Skorik was offered a contract with the Mariinsky Ballet in 2007 as a coryphée until she was promoted to first soloist in 2012. She was promoted to prima ballerina on stage at the Segerstrom Performing Arts Center after a performance of Raymonda on September 25, 2015. She has toured with the Mariinsky Ballet to the United States,[2] Japan, and Europe.

Repertoire

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Accolades

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  • Recipient of the Spirit of Dance prize in the category “Rising Star” (2012).[4]
  • Prize-winner at the XII International Ballet Dancers’ and Choreographers’ Competition in Moscow (2nd prize, 2013).
  • Recipient of the Leonide Massine Prize in the category "Emerging Talent on the International Scene" (Positano, Italy 2014)
  • Nomination for Prix Benois de la Danse (2016)[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Gardner, Lyn (5 May 2008). "Ballet's approach to weight is an ugly tragedy". The Guardian
  2. ^ Bleiberg, Laura (3 October 2012). "Mariinsky's 'Swan Lake' sparkles (mostly)". Los Angeles Times
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Mariinsky Ballet. "Oxana Skorik". Retrieved 13 May 2014
  4. ^ СОБАКА (19 February 2014)"Петербургские невесты. Оксана Скорик (St Petersburg Bride: Oksana Skorik)"
  5. ^ "Приз "Бенуа де ла данс" в 24-й раз вручат в Большом театре". TASS. May 17, 2016.