Sonia Arova (1927–2001). Bulgarian ballerina, teacher and director

Sonia Arova was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1927, and trained in both music and ballet at the school of the Sofia Opera Ballet. She left Bulgaria aged 11 to study in Paris with Olga Preobrajenska, and in 1940, at the outbreak of World War Two, came to England. After studying a short time at the Cone-Ripman School she danced with International Ballet, Ballet Rambert and The Metropolitan Ballet. Arova was a guest artist with many companies, in both Europe and the United States of America. She danced with Rudolf Nureyev at his American debut in 1962, and also with him and The Royal Ballet in Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House. She directed many companies, bringing her unique blend of style and accuracy, all in what is often called the ‘grand manner’. Sonia Arova died in 2001.