The opera house’s ballet dancers have an excellent opportunity to confirm their right to the position they occupy. In total, 80 people took part in the certification. The working conditions created in the opera house, tours abroad, the rich variety of productions in the repertoire, regularly held master classes with outstanding masters of choreography allow performers to grow and develop their skills and talent.

In addition to invited ballet experts Irek Mukhamedov and Andris Liepa, the committee included the ballet company’s Director Tursynbek Nurkaliyev, Teachers-Repetiteurs Konstantin Zaklinsky, Elena Sherstneva, Rustem Seitbekov, Damira Zainullina, Galiya Begalina. The committee’s objective was to give a fair assessment of the company, to determine the level of professional training and to establish the suitability of the dancers to the positions held. The committee’s decision was made by open voting.

“Many factors influenced our decision. The main evaluation criteria were: musicality, artistry, proper execution of movements, the general concept of a lesson, coordination, the ability to listen carefully to the teacher, discipline. It was not easy to evaluate, because accomplished professional dancers performed before us. Certainly, the expectations are higher when it comes to the principal dancers, because they must serve as an example for the corps de ballet dancers and soloists during classes. Certification allowed us to show the company from the best side. I can say with confidence that the company is at a rather serious level,” said committee member Irek Mukhamedov.

“Holding such an event is a wonderful idea, it is really necessary to evaluate dancers, and I know that, for example, there is an annual certification at the Paris Opera Ballet. I am happy to see all the dancers with whom we have recently worked together. They brilliantly performed Michel Fokine’s ballet Scheherazade at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow. It was a sensation, the guys prepared and danced perfectly, I was delighted, and I still receive congratulations from everyone, which I brought to Altynai Asylmuratova. I am very pleased with the company, I would assign a five plus on a five-point rating system,” Andris Liepa shared.

As part of the certification, master classes by an eminent ballet dancer, teacher, choreographer, Principal of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia and London’s Royal Ballet Irek Mukhamedov were held. The ballet master noted that he was very pleased with the invitation for collaboration from the Artistic Director of the ballet company Altynai Asylmuratova, with whom they have a longtime friendship.

“First of all, the daily classical ballet classes are needed to warm up the dancers before rehearsals. On the other hand, there is a constant work on the correct execution of the movements in the ballet class. Conducting a lesson, I rely on personal experience with the Russian and Western European schools. In addition, the general well-being of the dancers on that day must be considered. For me, the dancers’ mental abilities are of utmost importance. One of the main goals is an opportunity to help the dancers understand themselves, the desire to improve allows each artist to reach any heights,” Irek Mukhamedov concluded.