Competition through the eyes of the participants: finalists Alexey Orokhovsky and Yana Peneva on the Bolshoi Theatre, partnership and the power of the classical school

Alexey Orokhovsky and Yana Peneva represent the USA, but today both are associated with the Mariinsky Theatre, where they are soloists. At the competition, they chose an emphatically classical repertoire, striving to show the clarity of style and academic culture that the Mariinsky school brings.

In the conversation, they talked about their first impression of Moscow, the feeling of the historical stage of the Bolshoi Theater, the power of partnership and why the competition for them is perceived not as a fierce rivalry, but as an opportunity to share their love of dance with other artists.

First of all, congratulations. How does it feel to be almost a superstar on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater? I saw the audience taking pictures with you. How do you feel about it?

Yana Peneva: It's unbelievable. Dancing on this stage was my dream, and this is my first time here. I am very excited and happy. This is really a big dream come true.

Alexey Orokhovsky: I feel the same way. There is nothing like performing in such a historic place. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I hope there will be more such exits in the future, but right now I was just enjoying every second.

You have chosen a real classical repertoire. Why this particular choice?

Alexey Orokhovsky: This is partly due to the fact that we come from the Mariinsky Theatre, we are the soloists of this troupe. Our competitive task was to bring to the Moscow competition the high classical style provided by the Mariinsky Theatre.

This also works in our favor, because our teachers Ekaterina Osmolkina and Leonid Sarafanov, as well as the head of the Mariinsky Ballet Andrian Fadeev, worked a lot with us on this. I think that's one of the reasons why we chose this particular repertoire.

Yana Peneva: I totally agree.

Have you been to Moscow before?

Alexey Orokhovsky and Yana Peneva: No, this is our first time.

And how do you like the city?

Yana Peneva: It's incredible. You can feel the energy of a big city in Moscow, and I really like it. There is such a beautiful culture here, I really like being here.

Alexey Orokhovsky: The Bolshoi Theatre is located in the very center of Moscow, next to Red Square and the Kremlin. Even being in this part of the city, feeling its power, in my opinion, gives extra energy on stage.

What kept you going on stage? Your performances looked very strong, as if you had some special source of energy.

Yana Peneva: We have a "Us". We feel our partner's energy, see each other, and keep eye contact throughout the entire number. It helps a lot.

Alexey Orokhovsky: Especially for me. I always dance calmer, more collected and better when I dance with Yana. The first round was the weakest for me, and I think that's partly because we feel stronger in partnership. When there is such a connection, you rely on your partner and dance better.

Who helped you prepare for the competition?

Yana Peneva: My teachers are from the Mariinsky Theatre.

Alexey Orokhovsky: And my teacher Leonid Sarafanov, as well as our director at the Mariinsky Theater, Andrian Fadeev. Choosing the repertoire was a joint job — ours and the teachers'.

Is there something personal in your variations, your own stylistic sign?

Yana Peneva: I would say that this is eye work. I try to express as much as possible through my face and gaze, because it is read by the viewer. I think this is one of my special features.

This is your first time in this competition. How does it feel to compete with so many strong artists from all over the world?

Yana Peneva: I believe that there is friendly competition. I don't feel a toxic atmosphere or pressure here, where everyone only thinks about being better than others. I think everyone just enjoys performing on the same stage and sharing what they love.

Backstage, I saw how the participants supported each other and high-fived each other after the performances. Is the atmosphere of the competition really that friendly?

Alexey Orokhovsky: Yes, I would say that it is. It's felt everywhere: in classrooms, in the hallways, backstage, during performances.

What motivated you to prepare for such a difficult competition and take part in it?

Yana Peneva: I've wanted to participate in this competition for many years. This is not my first attempt: I was going to come four years ago, but it didn't work out then. I am very grateful that this year we had the opportunity to go through this experience. It's an incredible competition.

Alexey Orokhovsky: For me too.

If you could say something to yourself now before the first round, what would it be?

Yana Peneva: Just have fun, don't worry, and perform as if it were an ordinary performance. And enjoy the feeling of the theater.

Alexey Orokhovsky: We've already danced full-size ballets. One variation or one pas de deux is something we can handle.

You studied in the USA, then ended up in Europe and Russia. How different is your school and approach to classical dance?

Yana Peneva: I have always been taught by Russian teachers. One of my first teachers was Natalia Bashkatova, the prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theatre. Then we moved to Germany, I graduated from John Cranko School, and there my teacher was also a Russian ballerina, Galina Solovyova. That's why I've always had a strong Vaganova technique.

Alexey Orokhovsky: Russian dance was taught to me by my parents at first, and both of them were raised in a Russian school and danced in the Russian tradition. Then I went to John Cranko's School too, and that's where I met Yana. I think this is one of the strongest Vaganova schools in Europe, and maybe even wider. Then we got to the Mariinsky Theatre, and this technique and style continued to develop even more.

"I'm becoming more of a teacher and less of a dancer. Now I understand how much my mentors contributed to my contests. Without an eye from the outside, without a teacher, it is very difficult for an artist. When this tandem happens, when there is contact, the results sometimes exceed all expectations," - Leonid Sarafanov, winner of the IX International Ballet Competition, winner of the 2001 gold medal, teacher of Yana and Alexei.

How do you like dancing at the Mariinsky Theatre?

Yana Peneva: This is a dream come true. Unbelievable.

Alexey Orokhovsky: It's a really amazing experience.

Do you have a dream role?

Yana Peneva: I have several of them. I've already had the opportunity to dance one of my dream roles this season — Kitri at the Mariinsky Theatre. I would also really like to dance Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Giselle.

Alexey Orokhovsky: For me, the main dream role is Albert in Giselle.

If you could choose music for modern choreography, what would it be?

Alexey Orokhovsky: I would choose Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto. We both listen to him a lot. Of course, this is too much music for a competition number, but for a full-size ballet it could be incredible.

The power of partnership is especially felt in their responses: Alexey and Yana constantly pick up on each other's thoughts, talk about the stage as a common space and about the competition as an opportunity not only to compete, but also to share a profession with artists from all over the world.

Congratulations to Yana and Alexey on their victory at the XV International Ballet Competition and wish them great creative success in the future!

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Interviewed by Tina Berezhnaya / Nina Teseyko

Credits: Tina Berezhnaya / Darya Bushman