Opening Night
Friday Jul 31, 2026 7:00 pm
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2026 Artist-In-Residence Alexei Ratmansky
Acclaimed choreographer Alexei Ratmansky is the Vail Dance Festival's Artist in Residence for the 2026 Festival, marking his first time in Vail to participate in the collaborative multidisciplinary Festival. Ratmansky's works have been performed in Vail over the last years, including Fandango which was commissioned by the Festival in 2010.
Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Ratmansky is of Ukrainian descent and trained at the Bolshoi Ballet School in Moscow prior to becoming a Principal Dancer with the Ukrainian National Ballet, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and the Royal Danish Ballet. From 2004 to 2008, he was the Artistic Director of the Bolshoi Ballet. He served as Artist in Residence at American Ballet Theatre from 2008 to 2023, and in 2023 became Artist in Residence at New York City Ballet. He is also Associate Artist with Dutch National Ballet, and his work is performed by nearly all major international ballet companies.
The Vail Dance Festival Artist-in-Residence program spotlights leading dancers and choreographers, elevating their distinct artistic voices through world premieres, curated programs, and standout performances. Artists-in-Residence are fully embedded across every facet of the Festival, collaborating with fellow artists and engaging disciplines beyond their usual practice. This extraordinary exchange fosters a singular creative environment found nowhere else—one whose impact extends far beyond Vail, shaping artistic innovation and building collaborative partnerships for years to come.