Draft:Alexis Tutunnique

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Alexis Tutunnique (né Oleksii Volodymyrovych Tiutiunnyk; born May 4, 1994, Kyiv, Ukraine) is a Ukrainian ballet artist, a Chevalier of the Order of Arts of Ukraine, four-time Laureate of International ballet competitions, and a former dancer with the Mariinsky Theatre, NOVAT, and National Opera of Ukraine.

Early Life and Education

Alexis Tutunnique was born on May 4, 1994, in Kyiv, Ukraine, into a family of artists and scientists. His mother, grandmother, and grandfather on his mother's side were professional ballet dancers, while his grandmother on his father's side was an opera singer. His father was a doctor of biochemical science.

From a young age, Alexis was immersed in the theater world. He spent a significant portion of his childhood at the National Opera of Ukraine, accompanying his mother, a ballet soloist, to the theater daily. Later, in many interviews, he would refer to the Kyiv Theater as his first and primary home.

Though not initially interested in ballet, Alexis developed a deep appreciation for classical music and opera. While he expressed a desire to learn piano and violin, his grandmother, the renowned Soviet Ballerina and Honored Artist of the USSR, Svetlana Petrova, encouraged him to pursue ballet.

At the age of five, his grandmother enrolled him in gymnastics training at the Central Sports Club in Kyiv to physically prepare him for a future ballet career. Simultaneously, he began ballet studies at a dance studio for children and youth at the L. Revutsky Music School.

At ten years old, he entered the Kyiv State Ballet College, graduating in 2012 under the guidance of world-renowned ballet master Vladimir Denysenko. He continued his education at The Dragomanov Ukrainian State University, specializing in choreography as a Ballet Master.

Training and Performance Career

Upon graduating from the Kyiv State Ballet College, Tutunnique joined the National Opera of Ukraine as a First Soloist, training under the guidance of renowned ballet star Denis Matvienko, then the company's artistic director.

After a year, Matvienko encouraged Tutunnique to join the prestigious Mariinsky Theater, recognizing his exceptional talent. From 2013 to 2017, Tutunnique danced with the Mariinsky, performing works by renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine, Alexei Ratmanskiy, Anjelen Preljecaj, Marius Petipa, and Hans van Mannen. He trained under legendary ballet masters like Radjep Abdyev and Irina Chistyakova and partnered with world-class dancers including Uliana Lopatkina, Diana Vishneva, Olesia Novikova, Victoria Tereshkina, and Anastasia Kolegova.

Following a disagreement with the Mariinsky's artistic director, Tutunnique left the company and briefly considered joining the Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich. However, he declined the offer due to contractual limitations that would restrict his performance opportunities.

He then accepted an invitation from Matvienko to join NOVAT, a major ballet company in Novosibirsk. This provided him with a rich repertoire and the freedom to pursue other projects.

In 2018, Tutunnique left NOVAT and relocated to Paris, where he trained with former Paris Opera Ballet soloist Jean-Marie Didier at Rudolf Nureev's studio. He guest-starred with various European ballet companies and pursued modeling and artistic collaborations.

In late 2019, Tutunnique returned to Kyiv, joining the National Opera of Ukraine as a Principal Dancer. He continued to pursue international projects while contributing to the company's management, introducing new ideas and securing financial partnerships.

From 2021 to 2024, he collaborated extensively with Dutch ballet star Igone de Jongh on various projects in the Netherlands.

Management

Throughout his career, Tutunnique has demonstrated a keen interest in arts management. He has organized numerous events, from charitable to commercial, involving ballet, opera, and orchestra artists.

He played a significant role in organizing events for the jewelry brand of Peter Aksyonov, including "Vertrograd," "Tiara Ball," and "The Swan Ball," in collaboration with the Rocco Forte Group, De Gournai, Dolce&Gabbana, and Parfionova Fashion house.

In 2019, he participated in a charity dinner in Monte Carlo, collaborating with opera singer Delia Grays Noble and the Princes Grace Charity Foundation. He also founded Moment Art Agency, which produced various projects in Germany, Israel, China, and Ukraine, including the "Great Gatsby Show" and a renewed program for the world-renowned "KAZAKY" band.

As the premier of the National Ballet of Ukraine, he was appointed International Projects Manager. In this role, he initiated the creation of a ballet project for the European fundraising platform "Fedora" from Creative Europe, securing the National Opera of Ukraine's membership in the European theater platform. He also facilitated negotiations with "Investment Capital Ukraine" to secure financial support for the opera.

Tutunnique successfully negotiated collaborations with the French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels, culminating in an offer to finance the production of Balanchine's ballet "Jewels" at the National Opera of Ukraine. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine forced the postponement of this production.

United Ukrainian Ballet (UUB)

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Tutunnique co-founded the United Ukrainian Ballet (UUB) with Dutch ballet star Igone de Jongh and the production company "Senf.Theaterpartners". UUB provided a safe haven for displaced Ukrainian dancers and presented performances on leading world stages, including the London Coliseum, the Royal Danish Opera, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

The UUB's performance at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County, sponsored by the Henry T. and Elizabeth Segerstrom Foundation, garnered significant international attention. This performance featured Ratmansky's "Giselle" alongside a special dance creation for Oleksandr "Teren" Budko, a Ukrainian veteran who had lost both legs in battle. Budko's participation in the ballet became a powerful symbol of resilience and hope, capturing the attention of global media.

Documentary "Front Row"

Miriam Goutman and Scenery Films produced the documentary "Front Row"," which initially focused on the UUB dancers' experiences of displacement and their dedication to preserving Ukrainian ballet. However, the narrative took a profound turn with the inclusion of Oleksandr "Teren" Budko, a Ukrainian veteran who was inspired to learn ballet after witnessing a UUB performance.

Budko's journey, from war veteran to ballet participant, became a central theme of the documentary, showcasing the power of art to heal and unite. His collaboration with the UUB dancers created a poignant expression of their shared struggles and a powerful symbol of hope and resilience.