Natalia Makarova (1940-) Russian-born ballerina, choreographer, teacher and director

Natalia Makarova was born in Leningrad, Russia, in 1940. She joined the Leningrad Choreographic School aged 12 and four years later became a member of the Kirov Ballet, an unprecedented achievement in a system that usually requires eight years of training.

In 1970, whilst on tour with the Kirov Ballet in London, Makarova asked for political asylum in order to dance in the West. During her dancing years she was a permanent guest artist with both American Ballet Theatre and The Royal Ballet, but in addition performed with companies all over the world. She danced contemporary works as well as the classical repertoire, and created works with every great choreographer of the time. Makarova both taught and coached, and staged major productions of the classics, including La Bayadère, Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty, all with the insight of the extraordinary depth and sensitivity of her Russian training. The extent and range of her repertoire as a ballerina was astonishing, and her knowledge second to none.