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New choreographer named for Vaganova ballet school

ST. PETERSBURG, December 12. /ITAR-TASS/. People's Artist of Russia Zhanna Ayupova has been appointed acting chief choreographer of St. Petersburg's Vaganova ballet academy, the academy's acting rector, Nikolai Tsiskaridze, said on Thursday.

The appointment will be temporary pending confirmation of Tsiskaridze's post in an election due in the first half of next year.

Choreographer Ayupova succeeds 13-year academy veteran Altynai Asylmuratova, appointed councellor to the director general of the Mikhailov theater following her resignation from Vaganova earlier this week.

For the past five ballet seasons, Ayupova has earned acclaim as a talented ballet teacher at the Mikhailov theater. She was principal dancer at the Kirov (Mariinsky) theatre taking leading parts in classical ballet productions during the 1980s and 1990s.

During these years, she was known for unique representations in her chosen roles, notably ballets staged by George Balanchine.

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