SFB 'Russian Treasures' 2009 Opening Night Gala


I will be dancing in two performances (Raymonda Pas de Deux and Double Evil) at the San Francisco Ballet's 'Russian Treasures' 2009 Opening Night Gala on Wednesday, 21st January.

San Francisco Chronicle review:

"One standard-setting ballerina performance, from Maria Kochetkova, came with a novelty. Wednesday's "Raymonda Pas de Deux" was billed as a world premiere with choreography by Yuri Possokhov after the 19th century master Petipa.

Possokhov either has a sharp memory for the steps passed down through his native Bolshoi Ballet or he called upon his powers of invention, or both, because this "Raymonda" pas (not the usual Act 3 excerpt we're used to from "Raymonda" but apparently from a different section of the full ballet) is filled with combinations of now-rare charm. Hungarian-inflected character arms punctuated whimsical little hops and turns, made all the more delightful by the delicate Kochetkova's understanding of academic ballet logic and attention to detail, and by Joan Boada's pure airborne zeal.

Not for the first time that evening, crystalline choreography met with crystalline interpreters as spirit raising as a Champagne toast."


Saturday Matinee:
"Maria Kochetkova and Joan Boada’s Raymonda pas de deux stood out in its equally strong partnering and individual performances, a glittering masterpiece of classical ballet perfection."
Info
2 Comments
Written by Maria Kochetkova On Tagged , , , , , ,

'Superstars of Dance' Semifinals

I made it to the semi finals on NBC's 'Superstars of Dance' as the ballet soloist on the Russian team! I got 63 points (9-9-9-9-9-9-9) :)

Next Monday (12th January) I'll be dancing the variation of Medora from Le Corsaire.

Reviews:

"Bolshoi-trained Russian ballerina Maria Kochetkova, a principal dancer with the San Francisco Ballet soared through an excerpt from the ballet 'Don Quixote'"
Washington Post

"SF Ballet Star Goes for TV Gold"
NBC Bay Area

Info
8 Comments
Written by Maria Kochetkova On Tagged , , , ,

Russian Ballet Dancer on 'Superstars of Dance'

I am the Russian ballet soloist on NBC's 'Superstars of Dance' tomorrow (Monday 5th January)! In the first round I will be performing Kitri from Don Quixote.

Also dancing for Team Russia are ballroom duet Pasha Kovalev and Anya Garnis (from 'Dancing with the Stars' and 'So You Think You Can Dance'), contemporary soloist Julia Bantner and a group of Russian Cossack dancers.

Watch Trailer >

Info
8 Comments
Written by Maria Kochetkova On Tagged , ,

San Francisco Chronicle's 'Best of Dance in 2008'

"HIGH: San Francisco Ballet's Maria Kochetkova in "Giselle" (Feb. 19): Tiny, delicate and irrepressibly sweet, the Russian-trained Kochetkova broke our hearts. Cutting through all the hype of San Francisco Ballet's forward-looking 75th season, the company's doll-like new principal gave a performance to remember for a lifetime."
The best of dance in 2008, Rachel Howard
Info
Comment
Written by Maria Kochetkova On Tagged ,

San Francisco Ballet's 'Nutcracker' on TV and DVD

My performance in the Grand Pas de Deux from last year's Nutcracker will be broadcast by PBS on Wednesday 17th December at 8pm and is also available on DVD from Amazon.

Casting on IMDB

"Having three tries at perfection didn't alleviate the extra pressure on 24-year-old principal Maria Kochetkova, who found herself cast in the climactic Grand Pas de Deux opposite hunky, buoyant Davit Karapetyan as one of her first assignments with a brand-new company.

"It was a new stage, a new audience, a new ballet to me," said Kochetkova, who trained at Russia's Bolshoi School and joined the San Francisco Ballet from the English National Ballet. "I found out I was cast for this two weeks before. In that pas de deux, you have to walk right into the spotlight, you have to dance right away."

Taking a break after the daily company class, the doll-faced Kochetkova was critical of her sparkling performance after seeing the video a few days earlier. "The film is really beautiful, though of course for myself I see things I would do better," she said. Still, she was full of praise for the choreography - "It's really big, and I like big movements" - and gratitude to Tomasson: "He really believes in me and believes I can do it better onstage than in the studio," she said. "I felt before him I hadn't realized the things I can actually do.""
San Francisco Chronicle

Info
Comment
Written by Maria Kochetkova On Tagged , ,

Giselle: San Francisco Ballet in Washington DC

©Erik Tomasson I'll be dancing the opening night of Giselle with Joan Boada on the 28th November at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. I'm also dancing 'Within the Golden Hour' on the 25th November. Giselle reviews:
"During its Friday night opening, the young Miss Kochetkova had the ethereal grace, lovely line and strong technique for the part. She is an entrancing Giselle at the beginning of her career and undoubtedly will make her own distinctive mark as she grows in the role." The Washington Times
"The coveted opening night of "Giselle" is going to a relative newcomer to the company, Maria Kochetkova. "She's a very young Russian girl who's been with me over a year now," says Mr. Tomasson, 66. "She is absolutely beautiful in 'Giselle,' and I'm having her dance opening night because she hasn't been seen here before."" The Washington Times
"Maria Kochetkova's Giselle was all delicacy, with exquisitely formed positions and toes of steel." The Washington Post
Within the Golden Hour reviews:
"In the third duet, the amazing Maria Kochetkova and Joan Boada, illuminated by a subtle blue light, mirrored each other’s steps with carefree spontaneity in what looked like a game or contest." Ballet.co
The American Tour: Washington DC
Info
2 Comments
Written by Maria Kochetkova On Tagged , , , , , ,

SFB at Orange County Performing Arts Center

I have four performances this week at the Orange County Performing Arts Center: Within the Golden Hour: Tuesday, November 11th 7:30pm Saturday, November 15th 7:30pm Double Evil: Friday, November 14th 7:30pm Saturday, November 15th 2:00pm Fusion: Sunday, November 16th 2:00pm The American Tour: California
Info
Comment
Written by Maria Kochetkova On Tagged , , , , , ,

SFB American Tour: New York

I will be dancing with the company at New York City Center between 10th-18th October in the following shows: Within the Golden Hour: Friday 10th Oct 8pm On a Theme of Paganini: Tuesday 14th Oct 7:30pm Saturday 18th Oct 2pm Fusion: Wednesday 15th Oct 7:30pm Double Evil: Friday 17th Oct 8pm Divertimento No. 15: Saturday 18th Oct 8pm The American Tour: New York
Info
2 Comments
Written by Maria Kochetkova On Tagged , , , , , , , , ,