Born in Labinsk (Krasnodar region). Graduated from the Tbilisi School of Ballet (class of Professor Vakhtang Tchaboukiany) and trained in the Vaganova Ballet Academy (class of Professor Gennady Selutsky). Danced at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre (1988 - 1989). Joined the Mariinsky Theatre in 1988. Principal since 1991.
Honoured Artist of Russia (2000). Prizewinner of The International Ballet Competition (Paris, 1990). Won the Baltika prize (2001).
Repertoire includes: Giselle (Albrecht); Don Quixote (Basil); The Nutcracker (Prince); La Bayadere (Solor); Swan Lake (Siegfried); The Sleeping Beauty (Prince Desire); Le Corsaire (Ali); Grand pas from "Paquita" ; Romeo and Juliet (Romeo); Boyarsky`s The Young Lady and The Hooligan (Hooligan); Fokine`s Scheherazade (Golden Slave); Balanchine?s Apollo, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Jewels (Diamonds), Theme and Variations; Petit`s Le Jeune Homme et la Mort; MacMillan`s Manon (Des Grieux).
1992 – 1997 – New York City Ballet (Principal dancer): Balanchine?s Theme and Variations, Apollo, Four Temperaments, Brahms-Schoenberg-Quartet, Raymonda Variations, Western Symphony, Allegro Brillante, The Nutcracker; Robbins? Goldberg Variations, Four Seasons.
Principal guest dancer from 1996 with The Royal Ballet performing Manon, The Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadere, Giselle, Apollo and Romeo and Juliet. Invited to Teatro alla Scalain 1999 as Principal guest dancer, performing La Bayadere and Swan Lake.
Appointed principal guest dancer in 2000 at the Bayerische Staatsoper.
Mariinsky Theatre: 
Mariinsky-2 (New Theatre): 
Mariinsky Concert Hall: 
