Alisa Nishanova
Founder and Artistic Director
Message from Alisa: One of my biggest passions is inspiring the next generation of ballet dancers and helping them understand that mental health is just as important as physical health. My teaching approach has always been to encourage students to believe in themselves and their goals. In founding Yerevan Ballet Festival, I'm bringing together three things I love - ballet, teaching, and Armenia. My mission is to give dancers the opportunity to learn from professionals who are currently in the industry and help them build important connections for their future, at the same time introducing the world to the beauty of Armenian art and artists.
Alisa Nishanova has training in various classical ballet techniques, including Vaganova (Russian style), Paris Opera, and Royal Academy of Dance. She studied in the classical division at Northern Ballet School, and was later accepted onto the third course at Ballet West Scotland, graduating with honours. Alisa holds a BA (Hons) Degree in Professional Dance and has performed supporting and lead roles with International Ballet Theatre (USA), Manchester City Ballet, Ballet West Scotland International Touring Company, and, most recently, Kharkov City Opera and Ballet (Ukraine). In 2013, she travelled to Russia for Dance Open (Yacobson Ballet Theatre) and performed on the St. Petersburg Stage. In 2019, she was invited to perform Aurora and Armenian national dances as a guest artist in Seattle (USA). Alisa has extensive teaching experience and has students all over the world. She designed intensive ballet training syllabi for students aged 8-18 over the course of a year, and she has taught at several summer intensives and led adult ballet classes. Alisa has consistently been invited to teach masterclasses and workshops for London Ballet Classes, and she gives private coaching in classical ballet and repertoire to prepare students for auditions, summer programs, and performances.
Repertoire:
The Nutcracker - Clara, Spanish Variation, Mirliton Variation, Waltz of the Flowers (lead)
Don Quixote - Flower Girl/Bridesmaid
Swan Lake - Russian Variation
Giselle - Giselle
Dracula - Lucy
Alice in Wonderland - Alice
Sleeping Beauty - Aurora